ADHD-like symptoms and attachment in internationally adopted children

Internationally adopted children seem to be more likely to show ADHD-like symptoms than non-adopted children. The aims of this study were to explore the existence of ADHD-like symptoms and/or diagnosis in a sample of internationally adopted children depending on their country of origin and to describe the links that may exist between the display of these symptoms and observed narrative-based attachment patterns. A Catalan sample of 58 adopted children aged 7–8 (24 from Eastern Europe, 23 from China, and 11 from Ethiopia) was assessed with the Behavioral Assessment System for Children to identify ADHD-like symptoms, and the Friends and Family Interview to identify children’s’ attachment patterns. Results indicated that children adopted from Eastern Europe showed a trend toward more hyperactivity and significantly more attention problems than girls adopted from China. Children with a secure attachment showed significantly less attention problems and a trend toward less hyperactivity. More studies focusing on the etiology and treatment of these symptoms in adopted children are needed.

Keywords:

• international adoption
• ADHD
• attachment

Acknowledgements

This study is included from 2008 until 2009 in the Research project MEC R+D SEJ 2006–2009 15286 International Adoption: social and familial inclusion of the internationally adopted children. Interdisciplinary and comparative perspectives and from 2010 in the continuation of the same project National and international adoption: family, education and pertinence: interdisciplinary and comparative perspectives (CSO2009-14763-C03-01) (Subprogram SOCI), both funded by the Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation. Finally, we are most grateful to all of the families who have participated in the study and to the pediatric service of the Hospital Sant Joan de Déu, in Barcelona.