Possibilities and Limits of Recovery After Early Life Adversities: Evidence from Adoption Research

• In Event: Adoption Across Development

Abstract

Adoption is often a response to circumstances of severe adversity in the early years of life, with neglect, abuse and/or institutional care frequently involved. As a sort of natural experiment, adoption entails a radical change in developmental contexts and life circumstances. With considerable volume in recent years, adoption research is making significant contributions to answering some of the old questions in developmental psychology: what is the short- and long-term impact of negative experiences in the early years, what are the possibilities and limits of recovery over the life span, what are the circumstances that promote a more complete recovery. In addition to the implications for developmental science, adoption research makes a significant contribution to promote a better life for all those touched by adoption and to improvements in child welfare policies.

Author

• Jesús Palacios, University of Seville, Spain
  Presenting Author