The emerging attachment relationship between adopted Chinese infants and their mothers

BackgroundThis study examined the process of attachment formation of mothers and their adopted Chinese daughters during the first 6 months postadoption.Method32 infants adopted from China (mean age = 14.5 months) were assessed during their first 6 months with their adoptive mothers and were compared to nonadopted Canadian girls of similar age and family backgrounds. Maternal reports of children's behaviors were employed.ResultsAdopted children showed signs of forming an attachment from early on in the relationship, which was exhibited by increases in secure attachment behaviors and decreases in inhibited behaviors. There was no evidence of disturbances of attachment or an increased risk for insecure attachment behavior.ConclusionsThe moderate degree of emotional deprivation experienced by Chinese adoptees does not hinder their ability to form a new attachment with adoptive mothers. Attachment appears open to rapid change, even after a time when children should have already formed an attachment relationship.