Response To Adoption Research Findings And Assessment Strate

Response to Adoption Research Findings and Assessment Strategies

The research presented highlights critical aspects of the mental health challenges faced by adopted children in the United States, indicating that approximately 12% to 14% of adopted children between ages 8 and 18 are diagnosed with a mental health disorder each year (Guarino, 2017). It underscores the increased prevalence of mood disorders, anxiety, depression, and behavioral issues among adopted youth compared to their non-adopted counterparts. Such findings reaffirm the importance of comprehensive assessment and intervention strategies tailored to this vulnerable population.

Adoption inherently involves complex emotional and psychological dynamics that can influence a child's overall well-being. The statistics point to the need for early identification and intervention, emphasizing how family involvement is integral to this process. Engaging family members can facilitate early detection of mental health issues, improve treatment adherence, and foster a supportive environment conducive to emotional healing. The inclusion of assessment tools such as the Narrative Story Stem Technique (NSST) and the Diagnostic Interview for Children and Adolescents (DICA-R) provides valuable insights into a child's internal world, allowing clinicians to understand their experiences, fears, and perceptions more thoroughly (Tang, Bleys, & Vliegen, 2018).

Furthermore, the recognition that cultural influences shape children’s behaviors and their responses to mental health challenges is vital, especially for professionals working in diverse backgrounds. As a Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP), it is crucial to maintain cultural competence, ensuring that assessments and interventions are sensitive to the cultural context of each child and family. This approach minimizes misdiagnosis and supports culturally appropriate treatment plans, which may include psychotherapy, pharmacotherapy, or a combination thereof, depending on the individual needs (Sadock, Sadock, & Ruiz, 2014).

In terms of treatment, a multidisciplinary strategy that encompasses family therapy, individual psychotherapy, and medication management, when appropriate, can significantly improve outcomes. The use of evidence-based practices tailored to the child's age, culture, and diagnosis plays a critical role in addressing emotional and behavioral issues effectively (Brand & Brinch, 2014). The importance of thorough assessment, ongoing monitoring, and family involvement cannot be overstated, as these are key to reducing the incidence and severity of mental health disorders in adopted children.

Overall, these findings and strategies underscore the importance of early, culturally sensitive assessment and intervention in supporting the mental health of adopted children. For PMHNPs, adopting a holistic, family-centered approach—integrating validated assessment tools such as NSST and DICA-R—along with culturally competent care, can improve the emotional and behavioral outcomes. Ensuring that clinicians are aware of the cultural influences and maintaining an objective stance free from personal biases are essential steps toward providing ethical and effective mental health services to this population.

References

• Brand, A.E., & Brinch, P.M. (2014). Behavior Problems and Mental Health Contacts in Adopted, Foster, and Nonadopted Children. Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry, 55(7), 793-803.
• Guarino, G. (2017). Adopted Children Often Face Mental Health Struggles as Young Adults. Journal of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, 12(4), 213-220.
• Sadock, B. J., Sadock, V. A., & Ruiz, P. (2014). Kaplan & Sadock’s Synopsis of Psychiatry: Behavioral Sciences/Clinical Psychiatry (11th ed.). Wolters Kluwer, Philadelphia, PA.
• Tang, E., Bleys, D., & Vliegen, N. (2018). Making Sense of Adopted Children's Internal Reality Using Narrative Story Stem Techniques: A Mixed-Methods Synthesis. Frontiers in Psychology, 9, 1189. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2018.01189
• Additional scholarly sources supporting assessment strategies, cultural competence, and therapeutic interventions in adoption contexts would include peer-reviewed articles and clinical guidelines from professional mental health associations.