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Depression and Anxiety Symptoms of British Adoptive Parents: A Prospective Four-Wave Longitudinal Study

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  • Rebecca E. Anthony

    (Centre for the Development and Evaluation of Complex Interventions for Public Health Improvement (DECIPHer), School of Social Sciences, Cardiff University, 1-3 Museum Place, Cardiff CF10 3BD, UK)

  • Amy L. Paine

    (School of Psychology, Cardiff University, Tower Building, 70 Park Place, Cardiff CF10 3BD, UK)

  • Katherine H. Shelton

    (School of Psychology, Cardiff University, Tower Building, 70 Park Place, Cardiff CF10 3BD, UK)

Abstract

The mental health of birth parents has gained attention due to the serious negative consequences for personal, family, and child outcomes, but depression and anxiety in adoptive parents remains under-recognized. Using a prospective, longitudinal design, we investigated anxiety and depression symptoms in 96 British adoptive parents over four time points in the first four years of an adoptive placement. Depression and anxiety symptom scores were relatively stable across time. Growth curve analysis showed that higher child internalizing scores and lower parental sense of competency at five months post-placement were associated with higher initial levels of parental depressive symptoms. Lower parental sense of competency was also associated with higher initial levels of parental anxiety symptoms. Parents of older children and those with higher levels of parental anxiety and sense of competency at five months post-placement had a steeper decrease in depressive symptoms over time. Support for adoptive families primarily focuses on child adjustment. Our findings suggest that professional awareness of parental mental health post-placement may be necessary, and interventions aimed at improving parents’ sense of competency may be beneficial.

Suggested Citation

  • Rebecca E. Anthony & Amy L. Paine & Katherine H. Shelton, 2019. "Depression and Anxiety Symptoms of British Adoptive Parents: A Prospective Four-Wave Longitudinal Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(24), pages 1-14, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:16:y:2019:i:24:p:5153-:d:298790
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    2. Hegar, Rebecca L., 2005. "Sibling placement in foster care and adoption: An overview of international research," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 27(7), pages 717-739, July.
    3. McKay, Katherine & Ross, Lori E., 2010. "The transition to adoptive parenthood: A pilot study of parents adopting in Ontario, Canada," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 32(4), pages 604-610, April.
    4. Anthony, Rebecca & Meakings, Sarah & Doughty, Julie & Ottaway, Heather & Holland, Sally & Shelton, Katherine H., 2016. "Factors affecting adoption in Wales: Predictors of variation in time between entry to care and adoptive placement," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 67(C), pages 184-190.
    5. Rebecca E. Anthony & Amy L. Paine & Katherine H. Shelton, 2019. "Adverse Childhood Experiences of Children Adopted from Care: The Importance of Adoptive Parental Warmth for Future Child Adjustment," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(12), pages 1-16, June.
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