Problems Reported by Parents of Romanian Orphans Adopted to British Columbia
Abstract
Behaviour problems in Romanian orphans adopted to Canada were examined through parents' interview reports of specific problems, and children's scores on the Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL) (Achenbach, Edelbrock, & Howell, 1987) completed by their parents. Three groups of children were studied. Romanian orphanage (RO) children had spent at least 8 months in a Romanian orphanage. Parents' reports of RO children's problems were compared to parent reports from 2 comparison groups: (1) Canadian-born children (CB) who were not adopted and never institutionalised; and (2) children who would have gone to a Romanian orphanage had they not been adopted before 4 months of age (Romanian Comparison: RC). RO children scored higher than CB and RC children for Total problems and Internalizing problems on the CBCL. No significant differences were found for any group comparison on Externalizing problems. CBCL scores were positively correlated with RO children's total time in orphanage. According to parent interview, RO children had more eating problems, medical problems, and stereotyped behaviour problems than both CB and RC children. These problems were distinctive ones, rarely if ever being reported for CB or RC children. It is suggested that these distinctive RO problems arise out of a normal developmental base, and reflect either continuations of orphanage behaviours, reactions to stimuli different from those experienced in orphanage, or lack of opportunity for development or learning within the orphanage.
Categories: Health Education
Other articles
Alternative care options and social protection policy choices to support orphans and vulnerable children : a comparative study of Mozambique and Guinea-Bissau
The number of orphans in Sub-Saharan Africa reached 51,900,000 in 2013. There has been limited research, particularly in…
Read morePeer-group support intervention improves the psychosocial well-being of AIDS orphans: Cluster randomized trial
Accumulating evidence suggests that AIDS orphanhood status is accompanied by increased levels of psychological distress…
Read moreA Child's Right to Participation: Photovoice as Methodology for Documenting the Experiences of Children Living in Kenyan Orphanages
Through ethnographic research, including participatory photography or “photovoice,” this research project explored the changing…
Read moreOrphan care: the role of the extended family in northern Uganda
This paper examines the traditional role of the extended family in orphan care in northern Uganda. The extended family provides…
Read more