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The feasibility of a randomised controlled trial of Dyadic Developmental Psychotherapy
2014 · United Kingdom
Interviews with 13 professionals across eight sites, focus groups and follow-up discussions explored whether a UK trial of Dyadic Developmental Psychotherapy could be conducted. Participants described a shared therapeutic model but differences in its delivery and usual services. Researchers judged a trial feasible if treatment definition, comparison services and outcome measurement were clarified.
The Impact of a Brief Neuro-Collaborative Play-Based Intervention on the Presentations of Developmental Trauma and Attachment Difficulties in Adopted Children: A Service Evaluation
2022 · England
Forty-seven adoptive families received a ten-week package combining parent–child play therapy, parenting sessions and children’s sensory and mindfulness activities. Parent questionnaires before and after treatment recorded reductions in several trauma-related, behavioural and relationship difficulties. Not all measured domains showed statistically significant changes.
The Impact of a Neurocollaborative Theraplay-informed Intervention on the Presentations of Developmental Trauma and Attachment Difficulties in Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder Children: A Pilot Study
2026 · England
Fourteen care-experienced children with diagnosed or suspected ADHD were compared with 14 children without ADHD after both groups received a 30-hour therapy package. Parent/carer ratings in the ADHD group improved on selected behavioural and anxiety scales. Adjusted comparisons found no statistically significant difference in changes between groups.
The Impact of a Neurocollaborative Theraplay® Informed Intervention on the Presentations of Developmental Trauma and Attachment Difficulties in Adopted Children with Prenatal Alcohol Exposure: An Extended Case Study
2025 · England
Sixteen adopted children with prenatal alcohol exposure received a therapy package combining play-based family work, sensory activities and parenting support. Parent ratings before and after treatment showed a statistically significant reduction in depression scores on one trauma measure; changes on other measures varied.
The Impact of a Neurocollaborative Theraplay®-Informed Intervention on the Presentations of Developmental Trauma and Attachment Difficulties in a Sub-Group of Autistic Looked after Children: a Retrospective Service Evaluation
2026 · England
Researchers compared parent/carer ratings before and after a 30-hour therapy package for 35 autistic and 172 non-autistic care-experienced children. Most children in both groups were adopted. The full sample and non-autistic group improved on some measures. Changes in the smaller autistic group were not statistically significant, and adjusted comparisons found no difference between groups.
The impact of childhood deprivation on adult neuropsychological functioning is associated with ADHD symptom persistence
2020 · UK; Romania
Previously institutionalised adoptees showed adult difficulties across several cognitive domains, related particularly to persistent ADHD symptoms. It links behavioural findings with adult cognitive functioning.
The impact of early adversity on the cerebral cortex - a Mendelian randomization study
2023 · United Kingdom
Researchers used UK Biobank genetic summary data for six early-life characteristics, including reported childhood adoption, and separate ENIGMA brain-structure data. Mendelian-randomisation analyses found no global cortical association, but genetic predictors of reported adoption showed nominal associations with thickness in several brain regions.
The impact of early experiences on empathy and emotion regulation development: Markers of vulnerability and resilience
2021 · United Kingdom
The thesis combines an eight-study review of emotion regulation after maltreatment and alternative care with an empathy study of 27 adopted and 72 non-adopted children. Adopted children scored lower on parent-reported and behavioural empathy measures. Parent and child empathy were associated, but the relationship did not significantly differ by maltreatment-group status.
The Importance of Cultural Identity in Adoption: A Study of Young People Adopted from Romania
2008 · United Kingdom
Researchers interviewed young people adopted from Romania at ages 11 and 15, alongside parent interviews at earlier and later assessments. Most identified as English or Anglo-Romanian and expressed interest in Romania. Interest in Romania was not associated with self-esteem; the small group identifying primarily as Romanian had lower self-esteem and more deprivation-related difficulties.
The long term outcome of reunions between adult adopted people and their birth mothers
2001 · United Kingdom
Forty-eight adult adoptees first reunited with birth mothers at least eight years earlier were followed up. More than half remained in contact with their birth mother, although contact with adoptive mothers was more common and often more frequent.
The maintenance of traditional and technological forms of post-adoption contact
2017 · United Kingdom (regional recruitment not established)
Interviews with six adopted young people and eleven adoptive parents examined how online contact interacted with established forms of contact. The analysis suggested that virtual contact could be integrated with existing arrangements, while contact introduced without earlier relationships could bring difficulties.
The neurocognitive profiles of children adopted from care and their emotional and behavioral problems at home and school
2021 · United Kingdom
Forty-five UK children adopted from care completed neurocognitive tasks around age six; parents and teachers rated emotional and behavioural difficulties. Low scores occurred across several tasks. Non-verbal reasoning, inhibitory control and cognitive flexibility were associated with behavioural ratings, while verbal reasoning was positively associated with emotional difficulties.
The Outcomes of Late Permanent Placements: The Adolescent Years
2004 · United Kingdom
Researchers followed 133 late permanent family placements into adolescence, using interviews and questionnaires six years after placement. Ninety-two per cent remained with their families at one year and 71 per cent at six years; disruptions occurred after an average of 34 months. The study also examined young people’s behaviour and adjustment.
The Placement of Black Children with Permanent New Families
1992 · United Kingdom
The paper reports an exploratory follow-up in 1991–1992 of minority ethnic children within an earlier survey of permanent placements by major voluntary adoption agencies. The original survey covered 1,165 children with special needs placed in 1980–1984, including 241 Black and other minority ethnic children. The abstract identifies the cohort and research purpose but does not report detailed findings.
The process, benefits and challenges of providing psychological consultation in adoption services
2022 · United Kingdom
Six social workers and four clinical psychologists were interviewed about psychological consultation in adoption services. Participants described learning, collaboration and benefits alongside scarce resources and challenges around expert roles. The study describes professionals’ experiences rather than measured improvements for adoptive families.
The proportion of adoptees who have received their birth records in England and Wales
2001 · England and Wales
The study estimated how many adult adoptees obtained original birth records after the 1975 legal change, analysing patterns by birth year and access year. More than 70,000 out-of-family adoptees had received records by the period studied.
The psychological implications of forced adoption: A scoping review
2025 · International (includes UK studies)
This scoping review mapped 27 publications on psychological experiences following forced adoption. Nine concerned adoptees and eighteen birth mothers. The adoptee-focused evidence described trauma and attachment difficulties, identity loss, limited belonging and isolation. Most included studies were qualitative and came from several countries, including UK research.
The reasons why young children are placed for adoption: Findings from a recently placed sample and implications for future identity issues
2000 · United Kingdom
Social-worker questionnaires described 168 recently adopted young children. Fourteen per cent were relinquished infants, 24% were adopted at parental request in complex circumstances, and 62% through social-services and court requirements. Backgrounds and openness arrangements differed between groups, raising different questions for later explanations of personal history.
The records of adopted and care-experienced people – developing guidance for record-keepers and care professionals: Research findings report
2024 · England / Wales
Research combined literature review, focus groups and interviews with adopted and care-experienced people and professionals, alongside an England/Wales survey of record-holding organisations. Adoptee participants described unexplained redaction, inconsistent answers about surviving records and insufficient support. They wanted complete files, retention of personal items and permanent preservation.
The role of birth country/heritage interest in adult international adoptees’ wellbeing
2026 · UK; Romania
ERA data examined interest in Romania, heritage engagement, birth-family contact and adult wellbeing.