The well-being of African American adolescents within formal and informal adoption arrangements

Citation

Gibson, P. A.; Nelson-Christinedaughter, J.; Kwon, H. K.; & Grotevant, H. D. (2006). The well-being of African American adolescents within formal and informal adoption arrangements. Adoption Quarterly. vol. 9 (1) pp. 57-78

Abstract

This study assessed the well-being of African American adolescents in formal (n = 67) and informal (n = 194) adoption arrangements using Waves I and III of the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health (Add Health). Controlling for demographic and early risk factors, the outcomes of adolescents in the two adoption groups were more similar than different. Adoption type was not a statistically signifi-Investigators gratefully acknowledge support provided by grant HD36479 from the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, to Brent C. Miller, P.I., through a Minority Supplement to Priscilla A. Gibson, University of Minnesota. cant predictor for nine of eleven indicators of adolescent well-being. Significant differences were found on only two indicators: anti-social behavior and adolescents' perception of how much their caregivers and family care about them. Informally adopted youth had more favorable outcomes on these indicators, although the effect sizes were small. Implications of this study are forwarded for policy and practice in child welfare.

URL

http://dx.doi.org/10.1300/J145v09n01_04

Keyword(s)

Adoption

Reference Type

Journal Article

Journal Title

Adoption Quarterly

Author(s)

Gibson, P. A.
Nelson-Christinedaughter, J.
Kwon, H. K.
Grotevant, H. D.

Year Published

2006

Volume Number

9

Issue Number

1

Pages

57-78

ISSN/ISBN

1092-6755

DOI

10.1300/J145v09n01_04

Reference ID

458