title: Predictors and Correlates of Inattentive/Overactive Behaviors in Internationally Adopted Children.
abstract: Children adopted internationally following deprived early care have an elevated risk for difficulties with inattention/overactivity (Kreppner et al., 2001 ). The current study sought to identify predictors of inattention/overactivity and child and adoptive family challenges that co-occur with inattention/overactivity difficulties in a sample of internationally adopted children. Forty-eight children (mean age at adoption = 57.98 months, SD = 47.7 months) were examined at 3 yearly assessments, which included semistructured interviews, parent ratings, and neuropsychological assessment with children. Results revealed that older age at adoption, longer time in the adoptive home, and smaller family size were associated with greater parent-rated difficulties with inattention/overactivity. Additionally, greater inattention/overactivity difficulties were associated with poorer expressive language and reading performance, poorer child emotional-behavioral outcomes, and poorer adoptive family functioning. Given the increase in difficulties over time in the adoptive home, longer-term follow-up may be helpful to ensure appropriate intervention. Additionally, interventions may need to be more comprehensive given the connection between inattentive/overactive behaviors and other areas of functioning.
authors.affiliation: a Psychology Department , Calvin College , Grand Rapids , Michigan.
authors.forename: Emily J
authors.initials: EJ
authors.lastname: Helder
authors.affiliation: b Psychology Department , University of Windsor , Windsor , Ontario , Canada.
authors.forename: Brianne
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Brooker
authors.affiliation: c Department of Statistics , Grand Valley State University , Grand Rapids , Michigan.
authors.forename: Laura Ring
authors.initials: LR
authors.lastname: Kapitula
authors.affiliation: a Psychology Department , Calvin College , Grand Rapids , Michigan.
authors.forename: Brooke
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Goalen
authors.affiliation: a Psychology Department , Calvin College , Grand Rapids , Michigan.
authors.forename: Marjorie L
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Gunnoe
mesh_terms: D000300:Adoption / Q000523:psychology*; D001289:Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity; D001519:Behavior / Q000502:physiology*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004644:Emotions / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D009422:Nervous System Diseases / Q000523:psychology*; D010290:Parents / Q000523:psychology; D011932:Reading
keywords: attention; hyperactivity; impulsivity; international adoption