title: Twins and virtual twins: Do genetic (as well as experiential) factors affect developmental risks?
abstract: Factors underlying developmental delays and psychosocial risks are of interest to international adoption communities. The current study administered a Pre-Adoption Adversity (PAA) Questionnaire to mostly American parents raising (a) adopted Chinese twins or (b) same-age unrelated adopted siblings. A goal was to replicate earlier analyses of pre-adoption adversity/adjustment among adopted preschool-age Chinese girls. A second goal was to conduct genetic analyses of four content areas (Developmental Delays at Adoption, Initial Adaptation to Adoption, Crying/Clinging, and Refusal/Avoidance) derived from the PAA Questionnaire. A key finding was that age at adoption added less than other predictors to adoptees' externalizing and internalizing behaviors. Family factors (e.g., parental education) contributed significantly to behavioral outcomes among the adopted Chinese twins. Genetic effects were indicated for all four content areas, with shared environmental effects evident for Developmental Delays at Adoption and Crying/Clinging. Future investigators should consider incorporating genetically sensitive designs into developmental research programs.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, California State University, Fullerton, Fullerton, CA 92834, USA. Electronic address: nsegal@fullerton.edu.
authors.forename: Nancy L
authors.initials: NL
authors.lastname: Segal
authors.affiliation: Department of Educational and Psychological Studies, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL 33620, USA.
authors.forename: Tony Xing
authors.initials: TX
authors.lastname: Tan
authors.affiliation: Department of Human Development and Family Sciences, University of Texas, Austin, TX 78712, USA.
authors.forename: Jamie L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Graham
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000300:Adoption / Q000523:psychology*; D000328:Adult; D002648:Child; D002657:Child Development; D002675:Child, Preschool; D002681:China; D003448:Crying / Q000523:psychology; D002658:Developmental Disabilities / Q000235:genetics* / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease / Q000235:genetics / Q000523:psychology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D012306:Risk; D035781:Siblings / Q000523:psychology; D012931:Social Environment; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014427:Twins / Q000235:genetics* / Q000523:psychology*; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Adoption; Chinese twins; Developmental risks; Environmental influences; Genetic effects; Virtual twins