Behavioral Responses Among Early Adopted,

¶ … Behavioral Responses among Early Adopted, Late Adopted, and Non-Adopted Children This study will examine differences in the behavioral responses of children who are adopted at an early age, adopted at a later age, and those who are not adopted, to determine if the different populations behave differently in a similar social setting. In order to determine this, children who were adopted by age three (n=4), children adopted after age three (n=4), and children who were not adopted (n=4) will be randomly grouped into four playgroups of three participants each.

A trained researcher, who will code negative behavioral responses during the play period, will observe each group. Those adopted after the age of three will be found to have the highest mean number of negative behaviors, followed by those adopted after age three. These results may lead to conclusions about the effects of adoption on early childhood behaviors, and may influence adaptation techniques for children and their classmates.

Differences in Behavioral Responses among Early Adopted, Late Adopted, and Non-adopted Children While adopted children only account for up to 2.4% of the population of children in the United States (U.S. Census, 2004), this same small population accounts for an excessively large number of mental heath referrals, according to Brodzinsky and Smith (1994). Zill (1985) found that even those adopted children outside of a clinical setting have been shown to have higher rates of problems in adjustment, particularly when compared to children raised by one or both of their biological parents.

In a study by Austad and Simmons (1978), the intake records to mental health facilities of a sample of children adopted prior to 6 months of age were examined. Austad and Simmons reviewed the symptoms of the children at the time of admission, and found that many of these children were presented for negative behaviors. These included oppositional, aggressive, anti-social, and problematic peer behaviors. Cohen, Coyne, and Duvall (1993) studied 88 parent sets of children ages 7-17 to determine if adopted children have higher rates of behavioral problems.

Their study suggested that adopted children are perceived to have more problems than their non-adopted peers. Additionally, the study found that the adoptive parents were more inclined than non-adoptive parents to consider removal of the child from he home as a solution to problems. This furthered the behavioral issues found in those who were adopted. Nickman (1996) noted that these types of behavioral problems are particularly visible in children placed into their adoptive homes later in childhood.

A study by Simmel and her colleagues (2001) examined this apparent link between time of placement and behavioral issues. In their study, 808 youths aged 4 to 18 years of age were examined. According to the parents of these youths, a large number displayed behavioral problems. According to the findings, the likelihood of psychological and behavioral problems appeared to increase with the age of adoption. Still another study showed both the link between adoption and behavioral problems, as well as the problems associated with late adoption.

The study, conducted by Smith, Howard, and Monroe (1998), examined 368 youths in an adoption preservation program using a behavioral rating scale and 201 in the same program by using the Child Behavior Checklist. The researchers found that attachment problems, age of placement, and prior abuse were predicators of more severe behavioral problems. Of those studied using the Child Behavior Checklist, over 90% were found to have some level of behavioral problems. Yet another study, conducted by Brodzinsky and Smith (1994) showed higher levels of negative thoughts and behaviors among adopted children.

In the study, 85 adoptees ages 6 to 17 were asked to rate their behaviors and thoughts in relation to their knowledge of their adoption. The older subjects in the study reported less positive emotions and behaviors than the younger subjects. Additionally, nearly 75% of those studied noted intrusive thoughts and behavioral avoidance. The purpose of the current study will be to determine if there is, in fact, a difference in the mean number of negative behaviors between adopted children and non-adoption children, in terms of the age of adoption.

It will be hypothesized that those children adopted after age three will have the highest level of negative behaviors. This prediction is based on research that indicates a higher level of negative behaviors among adopted children who were adopted later in life (e.g. Zane, 1984, Smith, Howard & Monroe, 1996).

If, on the other hand, there is not a significant difference in the number of negative behaviors displayed by those adopted after age three, we will accept the null hypothesis that there is not a difference in negative behaviors, regardless of the age of adoption or adoption status. Method Participants Fifth grade students (n=12) from four schools will be recruited for the study. The final sample will consist of 12 subjects, six of whom will be female, and six of whom will be male.

Of the students, three will be children adopted prior to age three, three will be children adopted after age three, and three will be students who were not adopted. All students will be required to obtain permission from their parents or guardians to participate in the study. All students will be from the same geographic location, with a mean age of 11.3 years. Design This experiment will be conducted as an experimental study. The dependant variable will be the number of specific negative behaviors recorded.

The independent variable will be each of three groups, those of children adopted prior to age three, children adopted after age three, and children not adopted. The analysis will be performed to determine if there is a difference between the three categories of adoption in relation to negative behavioral responses. Materials The playroom to be used in this study will be a small 20 x 20-foot room, with light blue walls, florescent lighting, and a carpeted floor.

In the center of the playroom, play materials will be placed in the middle of the room. The play materials will consist of coloring books and crayons, drawing tablets and pencils, and a hand-held video game. No other materials will be in the room. The scoring sheet for the researcher will consist of a three columned sheet of paper. Each column will be labeled for each subject in each trial.

The researcher will note negative behaviors, defined as pushing, shoving, yelling, taking objects without permission from other subjects, or negative statements towards other subjects, with a single mark for each negative behavior in the appropriate column. Procedures Each subject will first be coded as either Group A, Group B, or Group C, where Group A consists of children adopted prior to age three, Group B. consists of children adopted after age three, and Group C. consisting of children who are not adopted.

The subjects in each group will then be numbered one through four. Thus, each subject will be given a "name" representing his or her Group, and a subject number (i.e. A1). The subjects will then be given "nametags," which will be taped to their backs, and will be randomly assigned to one of four playgroups each day, with each group consisting of three.