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Background: Little is known about bullying experienced by internationally adopted teens residing in Europe. Objectives: Within the framework of an international research effort involving several European countries, the main goal of this study was to explore the experiences of bullying victimization suffered by adopted adolescents, as well as its impact on their psychological adjustment. Methods: The sample consisted of 199 adolescents born in Eastern European countries and adopted in France (n = 50), Italy (n = 59), Norway (n = 25) and Spain (n = 65). Results: More than half of the adopted adolescents had been exposed to some form of peer victimization in the previous 2 months, with verbal harassment and social exclusion being the most common forms of victimization. Differences between receiving countries were not statistically significant, suggesting a common pattern for Eastern European adopted adolescents living in Western Europe. More frequent experiences of peer victimization were associated with more psychological difficulties among the adopted adolescents. Conclusions: Findings highlight that adopted adolescents might have considerable difficulties in social integration with peers; these experiences of peer victimization might play an important role hindering their psychosocial adjustment. The socioemotional development of adopted people is not only linked to their pre‐adoptive experiences; factors in their daily lives (i.e., peer relationships) may also be associated with their psychological adjustment later in life. Interventions are needed to promote the real inclusion of these groups of children in their social and educational contexts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: In the context of global changes in the epidemiology of internationally adopted children (IACs), the prevalence of infectious diseases and nutritional impairment has not been recently reviewed. Moreover, in France, these characteristics of the children according to their continents of origin and preadoption special needs (SN) status have been incompletely explored. Methods: Demographic, infectious data and anthropometric of all the newly arrived IACs seen in a specialised clinic for international adoptees in Paris, France, between 2013 and 2016 were retrospectively reviewed. Results: Three hundred and fifty IACs [mean age: 3.4 years (±2.7), 204 male] from 39 countries were included; 55% had SN. Ninety‐nine patients had at least one infection, 42% being classified as 'serious' (chronic viral infection, tuberculosis or malaria). Chronic viral infection was diagnosed in 26 (7%) patients (HIV: 16 cases, HBV: 5, HCV: 4) and affected especially Asian children (P <.001). The prevalence of stunting, underweight, wasting and microcephaly was, respectively, 25%, 22%, 15% and 8%. Stunting was more frequent in children from Eastern Europe (P =.02), while SN children were more often microcephalic or underweight (respectively P =.03 and.02). Conclusion: The prevalence of serious infections and nutritional impairment remains high in IACs and requires early detection and careful follow‐up. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

France receives a relatively large number of international adoptions. However, little is known about the frequency and types of microaggressions experienced by adoptive parents and internationally adopted adolescents in France. Unusually, France functions legally as a colorblind society, where race is not officially recognized. Therefore, we surveyed adoptive parents and adopted adolescents regarding their feelings of difference and experience of prejudice – related to both adoptive status and country of origin. Some respondents reported that special needs represented an additional area of stigma. Family belonging, adoption identity, and adoption visibility all impacted the experience of microaggressions by French internationally adopted adolescents and their parents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article reports on the results of a 2006 research study which looked at the long term developmental, neurobehavioral, and educational performance outcomes of a group of 8 to 12 year old children from Eastern Europe who had been adopted by families in the United States. Researchers used a parent questionnaire which was mailed to families of school-age Eastern European adopted children who had been in the United States for two years or more. Research found that while two-thirds of the children received special education services and 35% had multiple neurodevelopmental disorders, most displayed excellent social, peer and family integration skills.

Assesses the relationship between developmental status of international adoptees at the time of entry into the United States and their nutritional status and concurrent medical problems. Nutritional status; Developmental abilities; Nutritional status and medical conditions; Developmental abilities and medical conditions.

The author reflects on the risks concerning the transmission of communicable diseases from international adoptees to their families in the U.S. She asserts that internationally adopted children may be the cause on the spread of various diseases acquired from their home countries, including tuberculosis, hepatitis B and rubella. The author contends that public awareness concerning the health risks offered by international adoptees should be considered.

The article focuses on fatalities in children who have been adopted from countries outside the U.S. It explains that parents who adopt from foreign countries are generally perceived to be attentive parents, and contrasts this stereotype with the examples of fatal child abuse cases. It describes the demographics of the victims and their families, and explores possible causes, including postadoption depression. The article also recommends that adoption agencies and other services be aware of the psychological aspects of international adoption.

Editorial. Focuses on the issue of caring for internationally adopted children. Statistics on the number of children adopted in the United States from other countries; Possible diseases carried by these children; Reference to a boy in North Dakota who came from the Marshall Islands with infectious tuberculosis; Need for specialized medical attention to international adoptees; Screening tests conducted in the countries from which the children are adopted; Suggestions from the American Academy of Pediatrics.