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Timing of adoption is associated with electrophysiological brain activity and externalizing problems among children adopted internationally

Timing of adoption is associated with electrophysiological brain activity and externalizing problems among children adopted internationally

Authors :
Johanna Bick
Rebecca Lipschutz
Alexandra Tabachnick
Brian Biekman
Danielle Katz
Robert Simons
Mary Dozier
Source :
Dev Psychobiol
Publication Year :
2022
Publisher :
Wiley, 2022.

Abstract

This study investigated middle childhood resting electroencephalography (EEG) and behavioral adjustment in 35 internationally adopted children removed from early caregiving adversity between 6 and 29 months of age. Older age of adoption was associated with more immature or atypical profiles of middle childhood cortical function, based on higher relative theta power (4-6 Hz), lower relative alpha power (7-12 Hz), lower peak alpha frequency, and lower absolute beta (13-20 Hz) and gamma (21-50 Hz) power. More immature or atypical EEG spectral power indirectly linked older age of adoption with increased risk for externalizing problems in middle childhood. The findings add to existing evidence linking duration of early adverse exposures with lasting effects on brain function and behavioral regulation even years after living in a stable adoptive family setting. Findings underscore the need to minimize and prevent children's exposures to early caregiving adversity, especially in the first years of life. They call for innovative interventions to support neurotypical development in internationally adopted children at elevated risk.

Details

ISSN :
10982302 and 00121630
Volume :
64
Database :
OpenAIRE
Journal :
Developmental Psychobiology
Accession number :
edsair.doi.dedup.....44a717dbf2b22a50b47d8ecb4176a440
Full Text :
https://doi.org/10.1002/dev.22249