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Genetics, Families, & Social Development: The Important Contributions of Adoptive Families
Half-Day Conference for Adoptive Families and Professionals
Spence-ChapinNew York
April 18, 2008
Jenae Neiderhiser, Ph.D.The Pennsylvania State University
Leslie Leve, Ph.D.Oregon Social Learning Center
Workshop OutlineWorkshop Outline
I.I. Overview of GeneticsOverview of Genetics
II.II. Description of the Early Growth & Description of the Early Growth & Development Study (and family of studies)Development Study (and family of studies)
III.III. Early Results from EGDSEarly Results from EGDS
IV.IV. Implications for Prevention and Services for Implications for Prevention and Services for Adoptive FamiliesAdoptive Families
I. Overview of GeneticsI. Overview of Genetics
Developmental Behavior GeneticsDevelopmental Behavior Genetics
Behavior geneticsBehavior genetics: : Exploration of the Exploration of the potentialpotential influence of genes and experience upon a behaviorinfluence of genes and experience upon a behavior
FocusFocus: : Individual differences & the similarity Individual differences & the similarity (covariance) of relatives(covariance) of relatives
Research StrategiesResearch Strategies: : Twin studies, Family studies, & Twin studies, Family studies, & Adoption studies (and combinations)Adoption studies (and combinations)
Individual Differences: Concerned with differences among individuals within a population
e.g. How does antisocial behavior differ in a population of teenagers?
Group Differences: Concerned with differences between groups within a population
e.g. How do teenage boys and girls differ for antisocial behavior?
Estimating genetic & Estimating genetic & environmental influences environmental influences
Examine Examine family members family members who differ in degree of who differ in degree of genetic relatednessgenetic relatedness identical twins, fraternal twins, parent-biological identical twins, fraternal twins, parent-biological
child, adoptive parent-adopted childchild, adoptive parent-adopted child
Compare similarity Compare similarity in family members in family members (correlations) (correlations)
Genetic influencesGenetic influences Indicated by increased similarity for increased genetic Indicated by increased similarity for increased genetic
relatednessrelatedness MZ twins > DZ twins > adopted siblingsMZ twins > DZ twins > adopted siblings
Shared environmental influencesShared environmental influences Indicated by within-family similarityIndicated by within-family similarity ANY similarity in adopted siblings or between adopted ANY similarity in adopted siblings or between adopted
children & their adoptive parentschildren & their adoptive parents
Nonshared environmental influencesNonshared environmental influences Indicated by differences in family membersIndicated by differences in family members ANY differences between MZ twinsANY differences between MZ twins
Covariance of RelativesCovariance of Relatives
G Es En
Identical Twins 1.0 1.0 0
Fraternal Twins .50 1.0 0
Full Siblings .50 1.0 0
Adoptive Siblings 0 1.0 0
Birth Parent-Child .50 0 0
Adoptive Parent-Child 0 1.0 0
Heritability: Proportion of total variance that can be explained by genetic differences in individuals in that population
Environmentality: Proportion of total variance that can be explained by nongenetic (environmental) differences in individuals in that population
Shared environment – all nongenetic influences that make family members similar to one another
Nonshared environment – all nongenetic influences that make family members different from one another
Important Points about genetic and environmental influences
Heritability does not equal immutability – it can be changed and modified by the environment
Heritability can, and does, change over time
There is a large amount of variation that is not due to genetic factors
“Genetic influence” on a phenotype does not imply: -the environment is unimportant-genetic determinism, or even a close
relationship between genes & behavior
Environmental influences are all nongenetic influences that contribute to individual differences
May include: prenatal effects, environmental influences on DNA, traditional environmental factors (parenting, neighborhood, SES, etc.)
Patterns of Genetic & Environmental Patterns of Genetic & Environmental Influences Influences
Wide range of behaviors have been examined Wide range of behaviors have been examined across the lifespanacross the lifespan Physical characteristics (height/weight)Physical characteristics (height/weight) Personality & temperamentPersonality & temperament Mental health & psychopathologyMental health & psychopathology Social relationships & behaviorSocial relationships & behavior
Sample Twin CorrelationsSample Twin Correlations
0
0.2
0.4
0.6
0.8
1
Height Weight
MZ DZ
Genetic and Environmental Influences on Genetic and Environmental Influences on Psychological TraitsPsychological Traits
0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%
Extraversion
IQ @ 5 yrs
IQ @ 10 yrs
IQ @ 18 yrs
Major Depression
Religiousness
Specific Religion
ACE
Genetic and Environmental Influences on Genetic and Environmental Influences on Interpersonal RelationshipsInterpersonal Relationships
0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%
Peer GroupDelinquency
Marital Conflict aboutChildren
Sibling Conflict
Parental Monitoring
Parental Negativity
Parental Positivity
A
C
E
General patterns of genetic & environmental General patterns of genetic & environmental influences on interpersonal relationships most influences on interpersonal relationships most salient for children & adolescentssalient for children & adolescents
ParentingParenting Warmth/Support & Conflict/NegativityWarmth/Support & Conflict/Negativity
Tend to show Tend to show genetic influencesgenetic influences Monitoring & Control Monitoring & Control
Tend to show Tend to show shared environmental shared environmental influencesinfluences
Sibling relationshipsSibling relationships Mostly reciprocal in nature Mostly reciprocal in nature due to due to shared shared
environmental influencesenvironmental influences
Peer relationshipsPeer relationships Vary by construct, generally due to Vary by construct, generally due to genetic & genetic &
shared environmental influencesshared environmental influences
How can we understand genetic influences on How can we understand genetic influences on “environmental” measures and interpersonal “environmental” measures and interpersonal
relationships?relationships?
Passive Genotype-Environment Correlation
Parent Temperament
Parenting Behavior and/or Parent-Child Relationship
GP
Gc
.50
How can we understand genetic influences on How can we understand genetic influences on “environmental” measures and interpersonal “environmental” measures and interpersonal
relationships?relationships?
Evocative Genotype-Environment Correlations
parent influences
child evokes
Parental CONFLICT/NEG
FAMILY EFFECTS
Child behavioral CHARACTERISTICS
CHILD EFFECTS
GC
Direction of effects:
Child to parent (evocative rGE)
Parent to child (passive rGE or E)
What are the mechanisms of the environment’s influence on child outcomes?
Why do we care? Why do we care?
Mechanisms of ParentingMechanisms of Parenting
Parenting behavior
Parent’s characteristics
Contextual factors
Child’s characteristics
Passive GE Correlation
Evocative GE Correlation
Gp Gc
Nonshared Environment in Adolescent Development Project (NEAD)
Reiss, Hetherington, Plomin (PIs of T1 & T2), Neiderhiser (PI T3)
2 family types: nondivorced & step families5 sibling types: MZ & DZ twins, full, half, step
Time 2 AssessmentN=384 families Age range 13-21
Twin/Offspring Study in SwedenTwin/Offspring Study in Sweden
909 pairs of twin families909 pairs of twin families 350 pairs of 350 pairs of twin fathers (128 twin fathers (128
MZ; 183 DZ)MZ; 183 DZ) 559 pairs of 559 pairs of twin mothers (254 twin mothers (254
MZ; 285 DZ)MZ; 285 DZ) 1 adolescent child/family (11-1 adolescent child/family (11-
22 yrs)22 yrs) Cousin pairsCousin pairs w/in 4 years of age w/in 4 years of age Same sexSame sex cousin pairs (49% cousin pairs (49%
boys)boys) Spouse/other parentSpouse/other parent
Cohabitating for at least 5 yearsCohabitating for at least 5 years Over 90% of spouses are Over 90% of spouses are
biological parent of childbiological parent of child
NEAD and TOSS DesignsNEAD and TOSS Designs
Spouse 2Twin Parent 1
NEAD
Twin Parent 2
Spouse 1
Child of Twin 1
Child of Twin 2
Child 1 Child 2
TOSS
Mom Dad
1.0=MZ twins; .50=DZ twins & full siblings; .25=half
siblings; 0=step siblings
1.0=MZ twin parents; .50=DZ twin
parents
.25=children of MZ twin parents; .125=children of
DZ twin parents
Parenting: GE Correlation Parenting: GE Correlation
0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%
Negativity - TOSS
Negativity - NEAD
Positivity - TOSS
Positivity - NEAD
Negativity - TOSS
Negativity - NEAD
Positivity - TOSS
Positivity - NEAD
GEsEn
Mostly Evocative GE Correlation
Evocative & Passive GE Correlation
Passive & Evocative GE Correlation
Passive & Evocative GE Correlation
Fat
herin
gM
othe
ring
Evidence for Evocative GE Evidence for Evocative GE Correlation: Adopted Adolescents Correlation: Adopted Adolescents and Adoptive Parentsand Adoptive Parents
Marital Warmth
PsychiatricDisorders
Mother’s Discipline
Antisocial/Hostile Beh.
-.46*
.48*
.31*
.44*-.05
Adoptive Parents
Birth Parents
Adoptive Mother
Adopted Child
from Ge et al., 1996
Average negative control by adoptive Average negative control by adoptive parents of children whose birth parents of children whose birth mothers were antisocial (at risk) or not mothers were antisocial (at risk) or not
20
22
24
26
28
30
32
7 9 10 11 12
at-risk
not at-risk
Age (in years)
from O’Connor et al., 1998
Gene-environment InterplayGene-environment Interplay
Two typesTwo types Genotype – environment correlationGenotype – environment correlation Genotype x environment interactionGenotype x environment interaction
Genotype x environment interactionGenotype x environment interaction BOTH genetic factors & environmental BOTH genetic factors & environmental
factors (typically risk) are required for a factors (typically risk) are required for a specific outcomespecific outcome
For example…For example…
Antisocial personality inbirth parent
No antisocial personality inbirth parent
Adverse Adoptive Home Environment Factors(adoptive parent marital or legal problems or psychiatric d/o)
Nu
mb
er
of
child
ho
od
a
gg
res
sio
n s
ym
pto
ms
Interaction of genetic influence and familycharacteristics in childhood aggression
(Cadoret, 1995)
Favorable Unfavorable
Thanks to the research teams that make Thanks to the research teams that make this work possiblethis work possible
NEADNEAD Robert Plomin (IoP)Robert Plomin (IoP) David Reiss (GWU)David Reiss (GWU) E. Mavis Hetherington (UVA)E. Mavis Hetherington (UVA) Mark Feinberg (PSU)Mark Feinberg (PSU) Erica Spotts (NIA)Erica Spotts (NIA) Dean Hamer (NCI)Dean Hamer (NCI) Jody Ganiban (GWU)Jody Ganiban (GWU) Rich Rende (Brown)Rich Rende (Brown) many other students & many other students &
postdocspostdocs
R01s MH43373, MH48825, & R01s MH43373, MH48825, & MH59014 & the William T. MH59014 & the William T. Grant FoundationGrant Foundation
TOSSTOSS Paul Lichtenstein (KI)Paul Lichtenstein (KI) David Reiss (GWU)David Reiss (GWU) Nancy Pedersen (KI)Nancy Pedersen (KI) Jody Ganiban (GWU)Jody Ganiban (GWU) Erica Spotts (NIA)Erica Spotts (NIA) Suzanne Haddad (GWU)Suzanne Haddad (GWU) Jurgita Naruyste (KI)Jurgita Naruyste (KI) Jennifer Ulbricht (GWU)Jennifer Ulbricht (GWU) Lennart Martinnson (KI)Lennart Martinnson (KI) Elias Ericksson (Göteborgs Elias Ericksson (Göteborgs
Universitet)Universitet)
R01MH54601 & Riksbankens R01MH54601 & Riksbankens Jubieleumsfond (DNA Jubieleumsfond (DNA collection & genotyping)collection & genotyping)
II. Early Growth and Development StudyII. Early Growth and Development Study 560 domestic adoption placements to non-560 domestic adoption placements to non-
relative families (360 in EGDS-Toddler and relative families (360 in EGDS-Toddler and 200 in EGDS-Phase 2)200 in EGDS-Phase 2)
Adoption occurred within 3 mo. post-Adoption occurred within 3 mo. post-partumpartum
Infant free of major medical problemsInfant free of major medical problems 3 major assessments3 major assessments for birth parents and for birth parents and
6 major assessments6 major assessments for adoptive families for adoptive families spanning infancy through 1st grade spanning infancy through 1st grade (EGDS-School)(EGDS-School)
Multimethod, multiagent approachMultimethod, multiagent approach
Early Growth and Development StudyEarly Growth and Development Study 9 mo, 18 mo & 27 9 mo, 18 mo & 27
mo in-person mo in-person assessment of assessment of adoptive familiesadoptive families
3-6 mo & 18 mo in-3-6 mo & 18 mo in-person assessment person assessment for birth parentsfor birth parents
Multimethod, Multimethod, multiagent multiagent approachapproach
Yoked Adoption Unit: Yoked Adoption Unit:
• Birth mother/birth father, Birth mother/birth father, adoptive mother/father, adoptive mother/father, & adopted child& adopted child
EGDS study designEGDS study design
AC
BM BF AM AF
EGDS Family of StudiesEGDS Family of StudiesEGDS-Toddler (PI: Reiss)
Sept 2002- Aug 2007
n = 360 yoked adoption units
parenting, context, externalizing, internalizing,
social competence, birth parent characteristics
EGDS-Phase 2 (PI: Neiderhiser)Sept 2007 – May 2012
n = 200 NEW + 360 from EGDS-Toddler
New: 200 cases, DNA, enhanced measurement of birthparent experiences, prenatal exposures
EGDS-School (PI: Leve)Sept 2007 – July 2012
n = 360
New: Emergent literacy, executive functioning, HPA
axis functioning
3 m
o to
6 m
o
Prenatal Period9
mo
18 m
o
27 m
o
36-
48
mo
4 ½
yr
s
6 y
rs
7 y
rs
Recruitment locationsRecruitment locations
Three data collection sitesThree data collection sites Pacific Northwest (Oregon Social Learning Center)Pacific Northwest (Oregon Social Learning Center) Mid-Atlantic (George Washington University)Mid-Atlantic (George Washington University) Southwest (University of California, Davis)Southwest (University of California, Davis)
One new site added for EGDS-Phase 2One new site added for EGDS-Phase 2 Midwest (University of Minnesota)Midwest (University of Minnesota) (and PI moved to Penn State)(and PI moved to Penn State)
Recruitment StrategyRecruitment Strategy
Agency RecruitmentAgency Recruitment Each data collection site identifies “local” Each data collection site identifies “local”
agenciesagencies Collects data on number and type of placementsCollects data on number and type of placements Identify agency liaison once agency agrees to Identify agency liaison once agency agrees to
participateparticipate 33 agencies in 10 states participated in 33 agencies in 10 states participated in
EGDS-toddlersEGDS-toddlers 16 agencies participating in EGDS-Phase 2 16 agencies participating in EGDS-Phase 2
(13 from EGDS-toddlers, 3 new)(13 from EGDS-toddlers, 3 new)
Recruitment StrategyRecruitment Strategy Strategy to maximize linked birth parents & Strategy to maximize linked birth parents &
adoptive parentsadoptive parents Adoptive family recruitmentAdoptive family recruitment
Eligible adoptive families are mailed a letter by Eligible adoptive families are mailed a letter by agency agency Includes postage paid postcard to decline contactIncludes postage paid postcard to decline contact
If no postcard received within 2 weeks of mailing If no postcard received within 2 weeks of mailing birth mother contact information is requestedbirth mother contact information is requested
If birth mother agrees to participate study If birth mother agrees to participate study recruiter contacts adoptive familyrecruiter contacts adoptive family
First assessment – 6 mo telephone interviewFirst assessment – 6 mo telephone interview
Recruitment StrategyRecruitment Strategy
Birth mother recruitmentBirth mother recruitment If no postcard received within 2 weeks of mailing If no postcard received within 2 weeks of mailing
birth mother contact information is requestedbirth mother contact information is requested Birth mother is contacted by study recruiterBirth mother is contacted by study recruiter First assessment – Wave 1 in-person interview, First assessment – Wave 1 in-person interview,
3-6 months postpartum3-6 months postpartum
EGDS Toddlers/School – 360 yoked birth EGDS Toddlers/School – 360 yoked birth mothers, 517 total (many unyoked)mothers, 517 total (many unyoked)
Recruitment StrategyRecruitment Strategy
Birth father recruitmentBirth father recruitment Contact information requested from agency after Contact information requested from agency after
birth mother and adoptive family agree to birth mother and adoptive family agree to participateparticipate
Birth mothers are asked for contact information if Birth mothers are asked for contact information if agency can not provide thisagency can not provide this
Birth fathers are critical for the study (provide Birth fathers are critical for the study (provide 50% of child’s genes)50% of child’s genes)
EGDS Toddlers/School – 105 yoked birth EGDS Toddlers/School – 105 yoked birth fathers, 147 total (some unyoked)fathers, 147 total (some unyoked)
EGDS constructsEGDS constructs• Birth parents, adoptive parents, and childrenBirth parents, adoptive parents, and children
• Externalizing, internalizing, social competenceExternalizing, internalizing, social competence• Alcohol & drug use and problemsAlcohol & drug use and problems• TemperamentTemperament• Social context (stress, social support, economic Social context (stress, social support, economic
circumstances, partner/marital relations)circumstances, partner/marital relations)• Executive functioning and literacyExecutive functioning and literacy• DNA and salivary cortisol samplesDNA and salivary cortisol samples
• Adoptive parents onlyAdoptive parents only• ParentingParenting
• Birth parents onlyBirth parents only• Prenatal exposure to substances, toxins, stressPrenatal exposure to substances, toxins, stress
AssessmentAssessment Telephone Assessments (10-15 minutes)Telephone Assessments (10-15 minutes)
General well-being, short questionnairesGeneral well-being, short questionnaires Mailed/Web-Based Interviews (1-1.5 hrs)Mailed/Web-Based Interviews (1-1.5 hrs)
Completed before in-person assessmentsCompleted before in-person assessments Cortisol collection mailed after in-person visitCortisol collection mailed after in-person visit
In-person Assessments (2-3 hours)In-person Assessments (2-3 hours) In home or convenient other locationIn home or convenient other location Computer-administered questions & interviewComputer-administered questions & interview Video-recorded child tasks, parent-child Video-recorded child tasks, parent-child
interactions and marital interactionsinteractions and marital interactions DNA collectionDNA collection
Barrier Task – designed to elicit frustration Barrier Task – designed to elicit frustration (9 mo – Wave 1)(9 mo – Wave 1)
Clean-up Task – designed to see how Clean-up Task – designed to see how parent structures task & child parent structures task & child
compliance compliance
18-month old task (Wave 2)18-month old task (Wave 2)
Show videoShow video
Flower Print Task – designed to Flower Print Task – designed to examine coparenting (9 mo – Wave 1)examine coparenting (9 mo – Wave 1)
Demographics for BPs and APs: Demographics for BPs and APs: EGDS -ToddlersEGDS -Toddlers
BM BF AM AF
Mean age (range)
23.83 (13-51)
25.31 (15-45)
36.96 (25-54)
37.89 (26-60)
Race (%)
Caucasian 78 63 93 92 African-American 11 20 4 5
Hispanic/Latino 4 8 1 1
Multi-ethnic 5 5 2 2
Other 2 4 1 1
Mean education level Tradeschool Tradeschool College College
Annual household income (median)
$14k $21k $119k
People in home (mean) 3.6 3.5 3.7
Demographics (Con’t)Demographics (Con’t) Adoptive ParentsAdoptive Parents
1% single1% single 84% AM, 86% AF married84% AM, 86% AF married 1% divorced/separated1% divorced/separated 9% remarried9% remarried 5% AM, 4% AF cohabitating, committed rel.5% AM, 4% AF cohabitating, committed rel.
Birth ParentsBirth Parents 77% BM, 72% BF single77% BM, 72% BF single 8% BM, 22% BF married8% BM, 22% BF married 14% BM, 5% BF divorced/separated14% BM, 5% BF divorced/separated 1% BM & BF remarried1% BM & BF remarried
New Studies & Future DirectionsNew Studies & Future Directions
Objectives:Objectives:
(1) Collection of DNA from all members of yoked adoption unit
• Birth parents
• Adopted child
• Adoptive parents
(2) Addition of 200 more yoked adoption units
EGDS-Phase 2 (PI: Neiderhiser, R01 DA020585)EGDS-Phase 2 (PI: Neiderhiser, R01 DA020585)
EGDS-School: Family Process, Genes, and School EGDS-School: Family Process, Genes, and School Entry (PI: Leve, R01 HDEntry (PI: Leve, R01 HD42608-0642608-06))
Objectives:
1)Examine GxE mechanisms in preschool, school entry, and 1st grade
2) Examine hypothesized social and neuroregulatory mechanisms specific to this developmental period: emergent literacy, HPA axis functioning, & executive functioning
Future DirectionsFuture Directions
Emotion regulation within the family Emotion regulation within the family Applying for a grant to code the video taped dataApplying for a grant to code the video taped data Emotion regulation within dyadsEmotion regulation within dyads CoparentingCoparenting
Translate interviews Translate interviews Allow recruitment of a Spanish-speaking Allow recruitment of a Spanish-speaking
populationpopulation Capture changing trends in adoptionCapture changing trends in adoption
III. EGDS results related to adoptionIII. EGDS results related to adoption
• Openness
• Agency satisfaction and services
• How adoption has affected aspects of your life
What was the level of openness in the What was the level of openness in the adoption?adoption?
• 1-7 rating of the level of openness in the adoption
very closed
closed
semiopen
moderately open
open
quite open
very open
OpennessOpenness
• Most families continue to report a moderate level of openness throughout toddlerhood (periodic phone contact, visits, or mail exchanges)
• Openness decreased somewhat over time according to adoptive mothers, adoptive father, birth mothers, and birth fathers.
• For example, at 9-months of age, 59% of adoptive mothers rated the adoption as “open” or “very open”. This decreased to 56% at 18-months, and 54% at 27-months.
How satisfied are adoptive families with the level How satisfied are adoptive families with the level of openness?of openness?
• 1-4 rating of the level of satisfaction (very satisfied very dissatisfied in the level of openness in the adoption)
• Most families continue to report a high level of satisfaction with the level of openness throughout toddlerhood
• Satisfaction also decreased steadily over time according to adoptive mothers, adoptive father, birth mothers, and birth fathers.
• For example, at 9-months of age, 69% of adoptive fathers were “very satisfied” with the openness. This decreased to 63% at 18-months, and 53% at 27-months.
How would adoptive How would adoptive mothersmothers change openness? change openness?
More closed
Same
More open
9-months
18-months
27-months
How would adoptive How would adoptive fathersfathers change openness? change openness?
More closed
Same
More open
9-months
18-months
27-months
What does openness relate to?What does openness relate to?
• Adoptive mother, adoptive fathers, and birth mothers agree very strongly about the level of openness in the adoption, about the amount of contact, and about the amount of knowledge between parties
• Higher levels of openness are related to adoptive mothers’ and fathers’ increased satisfaction with the adoption process
• Higher levels of openness are related to birth mothers’ and birth fathers’ increased satisfaction with the adoption process and positive adjustment
Ge et al., J. of Family Psychology, in press
How satisfied are adoptive How satisfied are adoptive mothers mothers with the with the information they have about the birth parents? information they have about the birth parents? (very stable; numbers here are at 27-months)(very stable; numbers here are at 27-months)
very satisfied
fairly satisfied
fairly dissatisfied
very dissatisfied
Birth Mothers
Birth Fathers
How satisfied are adoptive How satisfied are adoptive fathers fathers with the with the information they have about the birth parents? information they have about the birth parents? (very stable; numbers here are at 27-months)(very stable; numbers here are at 27-months)
very satisfied
fairly satisfied
fairly dissatisfied
very dissatisfied
Birth Mothers
Birth FathersBirth
Fathers
Why did the adoptive family select their agency?Why did the adoptive family select their agency?
• On average, adoptive families looked at 3-4 agencies before selecting the one they used. The primary deciding factors were:
• The agency’s philosophy about adoption, including openness, and the agency mission statement (83%)
• The information received about the adoption agency from a packet, website, or meeting (69%)
• Other people’s recommendation, word of mouth, or agency reputation (68%)
• Geographic location of the agency (53%)
• Agency staff (50%)
Why did the birth mother select their agency?Why did the birth mother select their agency?
• On average, birth mothers looked at about 2 agencies before selecting the one they used. The primary deciding factors were:
• The agency’s philosophy about adoption, including openness, and the agency mission statement (68%)
• The information received about the adoption agency from a packet, website, or meeting (64%)
• Services offered, such as counseling, meeting other birth parents, or support group (50%)
• Other people’s recommendation, word of mouth, or agency reputation (47%)
• Agency staff (45%)
Satisfaction (‘very’ or ‘somewhat’) with servicesSatisfaction (‘very’ or ‘somewhat’) with services
• The information agency provided about adoption process (96%)
• Education and support services (90%)
• Ability to make recommendations for outside services like counseling (89%)
• Staff responsiveness to requests (88%)
• Skill of the staff (92%)
• Policy about openness (98%)
• Home study process, including the length of time it took to complete it (95%)
• Matching process (95%)
• Placement process (94%)
• Post placement services (91%)
Agency services that were most helpfulAgency services that were most helpful
• The matching/placement process
• Educational classes
• Orientation workshop
• Specific social worker/staff member
• Availability and support of agency staff
• Counseling
• Mediation with birth mother
Services sought outside of the agencyServices sought outside of the agency
• Legal services (19%)
• Home study from a different agency (7%)
• Infant care/parenting classes (4%)
• Support group (4%)
• Counseling (3%)
The most difficult part of the adoption processThe most difficult part of the adoption process
• Waiting for a child
• Coming to the decision to adopt
• The adoption process
• General adjustment to new child (lack of sleep, siblings)
• Coming to terms with infertility issues
• Adoption paperwork
• Cost
• Dealing with a failed adoption(s)
Nicest or most important thing someone did Nicest or most important thing someone did during the adoption processduring the adoption process
• Support from friends and family
• Baby shower
• The birth parents choosing us to raise their child
• Friends and family providing meals
• Friends and family babysitting
• Friends and family sharing their experiences with adoption
How has your child affected your life? (How has your child affected your life? (mothers @ mothers @ 27 months27 months))
Improved lot
Improved slightly
No change
Slightly worse
Lot worse
Marital Relationship
Other Children
Satisfaction With Life
How has your child affected your life? (How has your child affected your life? (fathers @ fathers @ 27 months27 months))
Improved lot
Improved slightly
No change
Slightly worse
Lot worse
Marital Relationship
Other Children
Satisfaction With Life
IV. Implications for Prevention and IV. Implications for Prevention and ServicesServices
• Most challenging parenting issues
• Desired services
• Format of services
What months have been the most What months have been the most challenging to parent?challenging to parent?
0
20
40
60
0 2 4 6 8 101214161820222426
MothersFathers
What do adoptive parents think are the “most What do adoptive parents think are the “most challenging issues” as parents (1challenging issues” as parents (1stst year of life) year of life)
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
# R
epor
ting Mothers-
1st year
Fathers -1st year
What do adoptive parents think are the “most What do adoptive parents think are the “most challenging issues” as parents (2nd year of life)challenging issues” as parents (2nd year of life)
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
# R
epor
ting
Mothers-1st year
Fathers -1st year
Mothers -2nd yearFathers -2nd year
What do adoptive parents think are the “most What do adoptive parents think are the “most challenging issues” as parents (2nd year of life)challenging issues” as parents (2nd year of life)
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
# R
epor
ting Mothers -
2nd year
Fathers -2nd year
What do adoptive parents think are the “most What do adoptive parents think are the “most challenging issues” as parents (2nd year of life)challenging issues” as parents (2nd year of life)
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
# R
epor
ting
Mothers-1st year
Fathers -1st year
Mothers -2nd yearFathers -2nd year
Desired Adoption-Specific Parenting ServicesDesired Adoption-Specific Parenting Services
Talking to child about adoption (how/when)
Contact with birth parents (how much/how to manage)
Transracial and cultural issues (how to educate)
Blended families (how to discuss with your children)
Stigma/responding to others’ questions
Agency services families wished the agency had Agency services families wished the agency had providedprovided
• More/better education about the adoption process
• More/better support groups
• More parenting education
• More staff accessibility
• Support groups pre-placement
• More support for birth mothers
How often wanted some advice about parenting?How often wanted some advice about parenting?
never
rarely
sometimes
often
almost/ all timeMothers
Fathers
Top 3 areas where parenting information would be Top 3 areas where parenting information would be helpful (helpful (mothers @ 27 monthsmothers @ 27 months))
Not at all helpful
A little
Somewhat
Helpful
Very helpful
Disciplining
Managing Toddler Emotions
Temper Tantrums
Top 3 areas where parenting information would be Top 3 areas where parenting information would be helpful (helpful (fathers @ 27 monthsfathers @ 27 months))
Not at all helpful
A little
Somewhat
Helpful
Very helpful
Disciplining
Managing Toddler Emotions
Sleep Issues
Other areas where help information and services Other areas where help information and services would be helpful (at least 1/3 of mothers said would be helpful (at least 1/3 of mothers said information would be ‘helpful’ or ‘very helpful’)information would be ‘helpful’ or ‘very helpful’)
• Enhancing child’s strengths (46%)
• General child development (43%)
• Adoption issues (42%)
• Child compliance (40%)
• Child hitting, biting (39%)
• Child whining (38%)
• Child temperament (37%)
• How to play with child (34%)
How would you like to receive parenting How would you like to receive parenting resource information?resource information? mail
doctor/ped
website
home visit
group meeting
check-in phone
hotline
Mo
the
rsF
ath
ers
How often would you like services?How often would you like services?
weekly
monthly
every other month
yearly
as needed
never
Mo
the
rsF
ath
ers
SummarySummary
• Most adoptive parents, and especially mothers, would like more information about parenting
• Areas where information and services are most desired are: discipline and child behavior, general child development, strength building, and adoption
• Adoptive families would prefer these services be delivered as an as-needed or monthly basis
• Mailed information, information from a doctor or pediatrician, or parenting website are the most desirable formats
• 0-2 months, 10-12 months, 18 months, and 24-months are times when parents report the most challenges
So where do we go from here? So where do we go from here? What kinds of services and What kinds of services and
programs might be beneficial?programs might be beneficial?
Key components of ‘evidence-based’ programs Key components of ‘evidence-based’ programs for infants, toddlers, and preschoolersfor infants, toddlers, and preschoolers
• Teach warm and sensitive (but firm and consistent) parenting
• Strength-building
• Prevention-based
• Work within the multiple contexts that families and children interact in (home, school, community)
• Include both a child and caregiver components
• Include parenting groups for social support
• Weekly service delivery
• Video-based feedback
What about adoptive families?What about adoptive families?
• No evidence-based programs have been evaluated specifically for adoptive families, although there are evidence-based programs for foster parents
• Unique needs of adoptive families may include:
• generally well-educated and invested in parenting
• uncertainties about child’s genetic background
• transracial and cultural issues
• blended families
• interface with birth parents
• talking to child about adoption/their background
• ??
The adoptive family as a protective environment at child age 9-months
BP Social Anxiety
Infa
nt A
vers
ive
Ver
bal R
espo
nse
Adoptive family emotional arousal
AVERAGE
Adoptive family emotional arousal
HI
Children in homes with average emotional arousal in the adoptive parents do not attend to frustrating events, even when
there is an inherited tendency
Birth Mother Externalizing BehaviorInfa
nt
Att
enti
on
to
Fru
stra
tio
n T
ask
The adoptive family as a protective environment at child age 18-months
BP Social Anxiety
Infa
nt A
vers
ive
Ver
bal R
espo
nse
Adoptive family emotional arousal
AVERAGE
Adoptive family emotional arousal
HI
Children in homes with average emotional arousal in the adoptive parents do not
show aversive responses, even when there is an inherited tendency
Birth Parent SociabilityHI LO
Providing structured guidance reduces genetic risk for externalizing behaviors
Zscore: CUP:Mom->TC Command dur3.000002.000001.000000.00000-1.00000-2.00000-3.00000
CB
CL E
xte
rnal W
aveB
-AM
25.00
20.00
15.00
10.00
5.00
0.00
1.00.001.00.00
BEXT1
R Sq Linear = 0.016R Sq Linear = 0.317
Ch
ild
ext
ern
aliz
ing
beh
avio
r
Adoptive mother structured guidance
HI Birth parent Externalizing
LO Birth parent Externalizing
High structured guidance relates to low child
externalizing problems, even when inherited risk
Parenting interventions can impact Parenting interventions can impact neuroregulatory functioningneuroregulatory functioning
Fisher & Bruce (2008)
0
0.1
0.2
0.3
0.4
0.5
Entry 8-9 Months PostEntry
Time
Cor
tisol
Val
ue
FostercareFostercare IntCommsample
The EGDS TeamThe EGDS Team
Jenae Neiderhiser (PSU) Jenae Neiderhiser (PSU) Leslie Leve (OSLC)Leslie Leve (OSLC) Xiaojia Ge (UMN)Xiaojia Ge (UMN) David Reiss (GWU, Yale)David Reiss (GWU, Yale) John Reid (OSLC)John Reid (OSLC) Danny Shaw (U Pitt)Danny Shaw (U Pitt) Laura Scaramella (UNO)Laura Scaramella (UNO) Linda Mayes (Yale)Linda Mayes (Yale) Jody Ganiban (GWU)Jody Ganiban (GWU) Phil Fisher (OSLC)Phil Fisher (OSLC) Rand Conger (UC Davis)Rand Conger (UC Davis)
Consultants:Consultants: Joel Gelernter (Yale)Joel Gelernter (Yale) Joan Kaufman (Yale)Joan Kaufman (Yale) Steve Petrill (OSU)Steve Petrill (OSU) Steve Suomi (NICHD intramural)Steve Suomi (NICHD intramural)
Over 30 participating adoption Over 30 participating adoption agencies across the USagencies across the US
EGDS-toddlers & EGDS-school: EGDS-toddlers & EGDS-school: R01HD042608 (co-funding by R01HD042608 (co-funding by NIDA & OD)NIDA & OD)
EGDS-Phase II: R01DA020585 EGDS-Phase II: R01DA020585 (co-funding by NIMH & OD)(co-funding by NIMH & OD)
Too many recruiters & interviewers Too many recruiters & interviewers to nameto name
Amy WhiteselAmy Whitesel Cristin McArdleCristin McArdle Tracy VanVlackTracy VanVlack