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Project

Leuven Adoption Study

The main aim of this study is to investigate developmental trajectories of adopted children and their parents in Flanders. The study focuses on (1) socio-emotional development of adopted children, and processes and factors of vulnerability and resilience in these children, (2) the development of adoptive parenthood, and processes and factors of vulnerability and resilience in these parents and (3) the relative match/ mismatch between parents and child. We study the parental attachment and personality style, as well as the attachment history of both parents. Furthermore, we look at the childs temperament, as well as the impact of the childs early experiences and attachment style on further socio-emotional development. Finally, we focus upon parent child interaction. We are particularly interested in the role of the mentioned dimensions in explaining developmental trajectories over the course of development. The study involves a 4-year follow-up study of a sample of primiparous adoptive families (n=100), preceded by a pilot study in a community sample of parental couples (n=100), and their first (biological) child (age range 9-12months).
Date:1 Mar 2008 →  23 Aug 2010
Keywords:Child psychology
Disciplines:Biological and physiological psychology, General psychology, Other psychology and cognitive sciences