Publication Date
11-28-2018
School
School of Behavioral Sciences
Keywords
attachment style, international adoptees, pre-adoptive trauma, secure attachment
Disciplines
Social and Behavioral Sciences | Social Work
Recommended Citation
VanLew, Kelly, "Attachment Style: How Pre-Adoptive Trauma Influences International Adoptees" (2018). Senior Honors Theses. 807.
https://digitalcommons.liberty.edu/honors/807
Abstract
An individual’s attachment style influences many aspects of his life, including emotional, behavioral, cognitive, and social development. Attachment style is largely dependent upon both the quality and quantity of care a child receives from a caregiver in the earliest stages of life. Children who have been adopted internationally may have been exposed to challenges posed by inadequate caregiving or resources, which includes malnutrition, poor medical attention, and instances of abuse, neglect, or deprivation. Because of these adverse experiences, international adoptees may be at risk of developing attachment disorders, experiencing behavioral issues, and struggling socially and psychologically. However, many of these challenges can be overcome with parental sensitivity and positive familial relationships.
