A recent study conducted by the National Institutes of Health, US concluded that children in an open family have lower chances of developing cognitive, behavioural and emotional problems. On contrary to those growing up in a family with more adherence to rules and face family conflicts on a regular basis.
The adversity of family’s behaviour on child’s emotional development would be significant for adoption, say the researchers.
Researchers included children of the age group of 14-40 months, 10 adopted and 19 born to American families. During the two year duration of the study, their physical, psychological and developmental tests were assessed twice a day. The families were also asked to answer questions about their development at home. To look into the matter even better only those were considered who have spent at least eight months in Eastern European orphanages before adoption by American families.
The results were unexpected. It showed a stark difference between the growth of adopted children, marking deficiency in growth, cognitive and development, in comparison to American borns.
It was duly observed that close-knit families expressing cohesion, helping other members, showing gratitude and support for each other have a positive influence on growing children. They show less inclination towards behavioural problems.
On the other hand, children living in argumentative and constantly in-conflict families, showing anger and aggressiveness towards each other, have a negative impact on their overall development.
The authors of the research concluded that expressiveness and greater cohesion among family members could control the pre-adoption adversity. Whereas strict and conflict-ridden families may increase the risk of behavioural problems.
