Internationally adopted adults who did not suffer severe early deprivation: The role of appraisal of adoption

Psychological adjustment was examined in 53 adults (M = 29 years), internationally adopted by Dutch parents as infants (M = 9 months) from children's home Metera in Greece. At that time guidelines consistent with attachment theory were followed to ensure relatively favorable quality of childcare in Metera (Dontas, Maratos, Fafoutis, & Karangelis, 1985). The adults completed standardized questionnaires on mental health, well-being and self-esteem. We found that the large majority of the adults were well adjusted, although adopted males reported more depression. Adults who reported a negative appraisal of their adoption reported more problems and less well-being than adults with a positive/neutral appraisal of their adoption.