Emotional and behavioral problems in relation with the attachment securities of adopted vs. non-adopted children and the child rearing practices of their parents

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Tezin Türü: Doktora

Tezin Yürütüldüğü Kurum: Orta Doğu Teknik Üniversitesi, Fen Edebiyat Fakültesi, Psikoloji Bölümü, Türkiye

Tezin Onay Tarihi: 2009

Öğrenci: DENİZ İLKİZ ALTINOĞLU DİKMEER

Danışman: TÜLİN GENÇÖZ

Özet:

This study aimed to explore the emotional and behavioral problems of Turkish adoptees and compare them with non-adopted peers raised by their biological parents. To fulfill this aim, 61 adopted children aged between 6-18 were compared to 62 age and gender matched non-adopted children. A second classification was made in terms of being followed in a child psychiatry unit. Both parents were asked to rate their children’s problem behaviors on “Child Behavior Check List / 6-18”, temperament characteristics on “School Age Temperament Inventory”, their own personality traits on “Basic Personality Traits Inventory” and own parenting styles on “Measure of Child Rearing Styles”. Children were asked to rate both parents’ availability and reliability as attachment figures on “Kerns Security Scale” and parenting styles on “Measure of Child Rearing Styles”. Adolescents between ages 11-18, rated their own problem behaviors on “Youth Self Report”. Group differences and correlations were analyzed. The results indicated non-significant differences between adopted and non-adopted groups in all of the measures. Children in clinical group unit displayed more problem behaviors, were less task persistent and had more activity than children in non-clinical group. Children under 10 years rated their mothers as being more available attachment figure, being more accepting and responsive than their fathers. Contrary to the literature, age of the child at the time of adoption was not found to be related with problem behaviors or attachment relations. On the other hand, results indicated that the older the child learned about her/his adoption status, the more emotional and behavioral problems occurred. Findings of the study were discussed in the frame of relevant literature. Clinical and policy implications were offered.