Why does early childhood deprivation increase the risk for depression and anxiety in adulthood? A developmental cascade model
The ERA study examined pathways from early deprivation to depression and anxiety in young adulthood, using childhood parent reports and later parent and adoptee reports. Statistical modelling linked early neurodevelopmental difficulties to adult emotional problems through unemployment and difficulties with friendships during the transition to adulthood. Results concerning later stress reactivity were inconclusive.
Limitations: Modelled pathways are observational associations, not proof of causation. Adoptees supplied some young-adult evidence, while childhood measures relied on parents. This cohort experienced extreme early institutional deprivation and does not represent adoptees generally. Participants overlap with other ERA publications. Evidence-provider note: the study combines adoptee evidence with parent-reported assessments. Parent reports should not be presented as the adoptee’s own testimony.
- Research type
- Longitudinal comparative cohort study
- Source reviewed
- Abstract
- Peer reviewed
- Yes
- Age group
- Mixed
Study context and review
Age group as recorded: Mixed
Adoption context: Intercountry adoption from Romanian institutions; UK domestic-adoption comparison
Programme: English and Romanian Adoptees Study
Institutional context: No relationship identified in the material checked
No adoption-sector organisational relationship identified in the bibliographic material screened. This is not confirmation of institutional independence; affiliations, funding and conflicts were not comprehensively audited.
Bibliographic screening. Bibliographic relationships are not a bias or safety rating.
Topics: adoptee voice, adult outcomes, anxiety, depression, employment, family relationships, institutional care, institutional deprivation, intercountry adoption, longitudinal, UK research
Review scope: Source checked: Abstract. This does not imply full-text or independent human verification.
Country as recorded: United Kingdom; Romania (origin)
- Funding
- Not yet checked for this entry
- Commissioner
- Not yet checked for this entry
- Funder role
- Not yet checked for this entry
- Declared conflicts
- Not yet checked for this entry
- Recruitment
- Not yet checked for this entry
- Adoptee involvement
- Not yet checked for this entry
Entry: study_d5a8a7820df8c82f