Hostname: page-component-8448b6f56d-m8qmq Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-04-18T16:18:26.954Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

Emotional difficulties in early adolescence following severe early deprivation: Findings from the English and Romanian adoptees study

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  21 April 2008

Emma Colvert ,
Michael Rutter ,
Celia Beckett ,
Jenny Castle ,
Christine Groothues ,
Amanda Hawkins ,
Jana Kreppner ,
Thomas G. O'connor ,
Suzanne Stevens  and
Edmund J. S. Sonuga-Barke
Emma Colvert*
Affiliation:
King's College London
Michael Rutter
Affiliation:
King's College London
Celia Beckett
Affiliation:
King's College London
Jenny Castle
Affiliation:
King's College London
Christine Groothues
Affiliation:
King's College London
Amanda Hawkins
Affiliation:
King's College London
Jana Kreppner
Affiliation:
King's College London
Thomas G. O'connor
Affiliation:
University of Rochester
Suzanne Stevens
Affiliation:
King's College London University of Southampton
Edmund J. S. Sonuga-Barke
Affiliation:
King's College London University of Southampton New York University
*
Address correspondence and reprint requests to: Emma Colvert, P.O. 80, SGDP Centre, Institute of Psychiatry, King's College, University of London, Denmark Hill, London SE5 8AF, UK; E-mail: e.colvert@iop.kcl.ac.uk
Get access Rights & Permissions [Opens in a new window]

Abstract

The study assessed conduct and emotional difficulties in a group of Romanian adoptees at age 11, and serves as a follow-up to assessments made when the children were 6 years old. It was found that there was a significant increase in emotional difficulties, but not conduct problems, for the Romanian sample since age 6. It was also found that emotional difficulty was significantly more prevalent at age 11 in the Romanian group than in a within-UK adoptee group. Emotional difficulties in the Romanian adoptee group were found to be significantly and strongly related to previous deprivation-specific problems (disinhibited attachment, cognitive impairment, inattention/overactivity and quasi-autism); however, the presence of such early problems did not account fully for the onset of later emotional problems. Five contrasting hypotheses concerning possible mediators for later onset of emotional difficulties for the Romanian group were examined. No links were found to duration of deprivation or other deprivation-related indices, stresses/difficulties in the postadoption family environment, or educational attainment and self-esteem. There was some evidence that emotion recognition might play a role in the emergence of these problems, but other measures of social competence and theory of mind showed no associations with the onset of emotional problems.

Type
Research Article
Information
Development and Psychopathology , Volume 20 , Issue 2 , Spring 2008 , pp. 547 - 567
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2008

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

Footnotes

We are most grateful to all the families who have generously given their time to participating in this study, and whose comments and suggestions have been very helpful in relation to the interpretation of findings. The data collection phase of the study was supported by grants from the Helmut Horten Foundation and the United Kingdom Department of Health. Ongoing support is provided by grants from the Department of Health, the Nuffield Foundation, and the Jacobs Foundation. We are glad to express our thanks to our external advisory group, whose input has been invaluable. The views expressed in this article are ours and do not necessarily represent those of the funders.

References

Achenbach, T. M. (1991). Manual for the Child Behavior Checklist/4–18 and 1991 profile. Burlington, VT: University of Vermont, Department of Psychiatry.Google Scholar
Ames, E. W. (1997). The development of Romanian orphanage children adopted to Canada. Burnaby, Canada: Simon Fraser University.Google Scholar
Beckett, C. (2006). The relationship between severe early deprivation and educational outcomes at age 11. PhD thesis, University of London.Google Scholar
Beckett, C., Maughan, B., Castle, J., Colvert, E., Groothues, C., Kreppner, J., et al. (2006). Do the effects of early severe deprivation on cognition persist into early adolescence? Findings from the English and Romanian adoptees study. Child Development, 77, 696–711.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Behar, L. B. (1977). The pre-school behaviour questionnaire. Journal of Abnormal Child Psychology, 5, 265–275.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Berument, S. K., Rutter, M., Lord, C., Pickles, A., & Bailey, A. (1999). Autism screening questionnaire: Diagnostic validity. British Journal of Psychiatry, 175, 444–451.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Bohman, M., & Sigvardsson, S. (1980). A prospective, longitudinal study of children registered for adoption. Acta Psychiatrica Scandinavica, 61, 339–355.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Bohnert, A. M., Crnic, K. A., & Lim, K. G. (2003). Emotional competence and aggressive behaviour in school-age children. Journal of Abnormal Child Psychology, 31, 79–91.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Boyce, L., & Cole, T. (1993). Growth programme (Versions 1 & 2). (Computer software). Ware: Castlemead Publications.Google Scholar
Brodzinsky, D. M. (1993). Long term outcomes of adoption. The Future of Children, Adoption, 3, 153–165.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Buckler, R. (1990). A longitudinal study of adolescent growth. London: Springer–Verlag.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Carroll, J. M., Maughan, B., Goodman, R., & Meltzer, H. (2005). Literacy difficulties and psychiatric disorders: Evidence for comorbidity. Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry and Allied Disciplines, 46, 524–532.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Casey, R., Levy, S. E., Brown, K., & Brooks-Gunn, J. (1992). Impaired emotional health in children with mild reading disability. Journal of Development and Behavioral Paediatrics, 13, 256–260.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Castle, J., Rutter, M., Beckett, C., Colvert, E., Groothues, C., Hawkins, A., et al. (2006). Service use by families with children adopted from Romania. Journal of Children's Services, 1, 5–15.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Dodge, K. A., & Frame, C. L. (1982). Social cognition and children's aggressive behavior. Child Development, 51, 162–170.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Dodge, K. A., Lansford, J. E., Burks, V. S., Bates, J. E., Pettit, G. S., Fontaine, R., et al. (2003). Peer rejection and social information-processing factors in the development of aggressive behaviour problems in children. Child Development, 74, 374–393.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Elander, J., & Rutter, M. (1996). Use and development of the Rutter parents’ and teachers’ scales. International Journal of Methods in Psychiatric Research, 6, 63–78.3.3.CO;2-M>CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Farrington, D. P., & Loeber, R. (2000). Some benefits of dichotomization in psychiatric and criminological research. Criminal Behaviour and Mental Health, 10, 100–122.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Fisher, L., Ames, E. W., Chisholm, K., & Savoie, L. (1997). Problems reported by parents of Romanian orphans adopted to British Columbia. International Journal of Behavioural Development, 20, 67–82.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Flynn, J. R. (1987). Massive IQ gains in 14 nations: What IQ tests really measure. Psychological Bulletin, 10, 171–191.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Frankenberg, W. K., Van Doornick, W. J., Lidell, T. N., & Dick, N. P. (1986). Revised Denver Prescreening Developmental Questionnaire (R-PDQ). High Wycombe: DDM Incorporated/The Test Agency.Google Scholar
Goodman, R. (1997). The Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire: A research note. Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry, 38, 581–586.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Gunnar, M. R., van Dulmen, M. H. M., & The International Adoption Project (IAP) Team. (2007). Behavior problems in post-institutionalized internationally adopted children. Development and Psychopathology, 19, 129–148.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Happé, F. G. E. (1994). An advanced test of theory of mind: Understanding of story characters’ thoughts and feelings by able autistic, mentally handicapped, and normal children and adults. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 24, 129–154.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Happé, F., & Frith, U. (1996). Theory of mind and social impairment in children with conduct disorder. British Journal of Developmental Psychology, 14, 385–398.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Hogg, C., Rutter, M., & Richman, N. (1997). Emotional and behavioural problems in children. In Sclare, I. (Ed.), Child Psychology Portfolio. Windsor: NFER–Nelson.Google Scholar
Kreppner, J. M., Rutter, M., Beckett, C., Castle, J., Colvert, E., Groothues, C., et al. (2007). What predicts normality and impairment following profound early institutional deprivation? A longitudinal examination through childhood. Developmental Psychology, 43, 931–946.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Le Couteur, A., Rutter, M., Lord, C., Rios, P., Robertson, S., Holdgrafter, M., et al. (1989). Autism Diagnostic Interview: A standardized investigator-based instrument. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 19, 363–387.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Lord, C., Rutter, M., & Le Couteur, A. (1994). Autism Diagnostic Interview—Revised: A revision of a diagnostic interview for caregivers of individuals with possible pervasive developmental disorders. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 24, 659–685.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Maclean, K. (2003). The impact of institutionalization on child development. Development and Psychopathology, 15, 853–884.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Mainemer, H., Gilman, L. C., & Ames, E. W. (1998). Parenting stress in families adopting children from Romanian orphanages. Journal of Family Issues, 19, 164–180.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
McCarthy, D. (1972). The McCarthy Scales of Children's Abilities. New York: Psychological Corporation/Harcourt Brace Jovanovich.Google Scholar
McEwen, B. S. (1999). The effects of stress on structural and functional plasticity in the hippocampus. In Charney, D. S., Nestler, E. J., & Bunney, B. S. (Eds.), Neurobiology of mental illness (pp. 475–493). New York: Oxford University Press.Google Scholar
McEwen, B. S., & Lasley, E. N. (2002). The end of stress. Washington, DC: Joseph Henry Press.Google Scholar
McMahon, S. D., Grant, K. E., Compas, B. E., Thurm, A. E., & Ey, S. (2003). Stress and psychopathology in children and adolescents: Is there evidence of specificity? Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry, 44, 107–133.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Nowicki, S., & Carton, J. (1993). The measurement of emotional intensity from facial expressions. Journal of Social Psychology, 133, 749–750.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
O'Connor, T., Rutter, M., & the English and Romanian Adoptees Study Team. (2001). Attachment disorder behavior following early severe deprivation: Extension and longitudinal follow-up. Journal of the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry, 39, 703–712.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Puig-Antich, J., Kaufman, J., Ryan, N. D., Williamson, D. E., Dahl, R. E., Lukens, E., et al. (1993). The psychosocial functioning and family environment of depressed adolescents. Journal of the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry, 32, 244–253.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Quinton, D., Rutter, M., & Rowlands, O. (1976). An evaluation of an interview assessment of marriage. Psychological Medicine, 6, 557–586.Google ScholarPubMed
Rodgers, B., Pickles, A., Power, C., Collishaw, S., & Maughan, B. (1999). Validity of the malaise inventory in general population samples. Social Psychiatry and Psychiatric Epidemiology, 34, 333–341.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Rosenberg, M. (1965). Society and the adolescent self-image. Princeton, NJ: Princeton University Press.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Rosenberg, M. (1979). Conceiving the self. New York: Basic Books.Google Scholar
Rust, J. (1996). Wechsler Objective Numerical Dimensions. London: Psychological Corporation/Harcourt Brace & Company.Google Scholar
Rust, J., Golombok, S., & Trickey, G. (1993). Wechsler Objective Reading Dimensions. London: Psychological Corporation/Harcourt Brace & Company.Google Scholar
Rutter, M. (1974). Emotional disorder and educational underachievement. Archives of Disease in Childhood, 49, 249–258.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Rutter, M. (1981). Maternal deprivation re-assessed (2nd ed.). London: Penguin Books.Google Scholar
Rutter, M., Anderson-Wood, L., Beckett, C., Berdenkamp, D., Castle, J., Groothues, C., et al. (1999). Quasi-autistic patterns following severe early global privation. Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry, 40, 537–549.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Rutter, M., Colvert, E., Kreppner, J., Beckett, C., Castle, J., Groothues, C., et al. (2007). Early adolescent outcomes for institutionally-deprived and non-deprived adoptees: I. Disinhibited attachment. Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry, 48, 17–30.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Rutter, M., & the English and Romanian Adoptees study team. (1998). Developmental catch-up, and deficit, following adoption after severe global early deprivation. Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry, 39, 465–476.Google Scholar
Rutter, M. L., Kreppner, J. M., O'Connor, T. G., & the English and Romanian adoptees study team. (2001). Specificity and heterogeneity in children's responses to profound institutional privation. British Journal of Psychiatry, 179, 97–103.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Rutter, M., Kim-Cohen, J., & Maughan, B. (2006). Continuities and discontinuities in psychopathology between childhood and adult life. Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry, 163, 1009–1018.Google Scholar
Snyder, J., Schrepferman, L., Oeser, J., Patterson, G., Stoolmiller, M., Johnson, K., et al. (2005). Deviancy training and association with deviant peers in young children: Occurrence and contribution to early-onset conduct problems. Development and Psychopathology, 17, 397–413.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Spanier, G. B. (1976). Measuring dyadic adjustment: New scales for assessing the quality of marriage and similar dyads. Journal of Marriage and the Family, 38, 15–28.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Teasdale, J. D., & Barnard, P. J. (1993). Affect, cognition, and change: Re-modelling depressive thought. Hove: Erlbaum.Google Scholar
Van Ijzendoorn, M. H., & Juffer, F. (2006). Emanuel Miller Lecture, 2006. Adoption as intervention: Mata-analytic evidence for massive catch-up and plasticity in physical, socio-emotional and cognitive development. Journal of Child Psycyhology and Psychiatry, 47, 1228–1245.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Verhulst, F. C., Althaus, M., & Versluis-Den Bieman, H. J. M. (1990a). Problem behavior in international adoptees: I. An epidemiological study. Journal of the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry, 29, 94–03.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Verhulst, F. C., Althaus, M., & Versluis-Den Bieman, H. J. M. (1990b). Problem behavior in international adoptees: II. Age at placement. Journal of the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry, 29, 104–111.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Verhulst, F. C., & Versluis-Den Bieman, H. J. M. (1995). Developmental course of problem behaviors in adolescent adoptees. Journal of the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry, 34, 151–159.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Wechsler, D. (1991). Wechsler Intelligence Scales for Children—Revised. New York: Psychological Corporation.Google Scholar
Wickett, J. C., Vernon, P. A., & Lee, D. H. (2000). Relationships between factors of intelligence and brain volume. Personality and Individual Differences, 29, 1095–1122.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Willcutt, E. G., & Pennington, B. F. (2000). Psychiatric comorbidity in children and adolescents with reading disability. Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry, 41, 1039–1048.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Wismer Fries, A. B., & Pollak, S. D. (2004). Emotional understanding in post institutionalized Eastern European children. Development and Psychopathology, 16, 355–369.Google Scholar
Wismer Fries, A. B., Ziegler, T. E., Kurian, J. R., Jacoris, S., & Pollak, S. D. (2005). Early experience in humans is associated with changes in neuropeptides critical for regulating social behavior. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America, 47, 17237–17240.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Woodward, L. J., & Fergusson, D. M. (2001). Life course outcomes of young people with anxiety disorders in adolescence. Journal of the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry, 40, 1086–1093.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed