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Social functioning of young adult intercountry adoptees compared to nonadoptees

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Abstract

Using data from a large adoption and general population cohort, we compared the social functioning of 24- to 30-year-old intercountry adoptees with that of same-aged nonadoptees in The Netherlands. Adoptees, compared to nonadoptees, were less likely to have intimate relationships, to live with a partner, and to be married. However, adoptees were not more impaired in their social contacts than nonadoptees. The educational and professional attainment of adoptees was at par with that of the general population. Adopted males showed somewhat less favorable outcomes than adopted females.

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Acknowledgements

We thank Marijke B. Hofstra, MD, for data collection of the general population sample at time 6. This research was supported by a grant from the Dutch Ministry of Justice.

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Correspondence to Wendy Tieman MS.

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Tieman, W., van der Ende, J. & Verhulst, F.C. Social functioning of young adult intercountry adoptees compared to nonadoptees. Soc Psychiat Epidemiol 41, 68–74 (2006). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00127-005-0995-x

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