Psycbopathological disorders of retarded onset in adopted children

Abstract

This is a review of all the clinical cases on adopted children that have been studied in our Psychiatric Service, as well as in the Children Service of the D.P.Z. and in private Associations. Here we list all the psychiatric pathologies found as well as the different psychosocial variables that have influence on the onset of the disorders, no matter if the child has been adopted yet or if he/she are only taken in by a family. The results make us think that adoption at ceriain ages is a generating factor ofpsychic pathology. This may be due to the break out of latent situations or to a bad adaptation to the new familiar environment after traumathic experiences or delays in the adoption process.