Indiscriminate Friendliness and Executive Functioning in Post-Institutionalized Children

Abstract

Previous studies have found children internationally adopted from institutions more likely to exhibit socioemotional and cognitive deficits. This study examined the relationship between indiscriminate friendliness and executive functioning behaviors in postinstitutionalized (PI) children. Internationally adopted children and non-adopted children were observed and coded for indiscriminate friendliness and assessed using five executive function tasks. Subjects per analysis varied because the study is still ongoing (see participant information, Table 1). The study is part of a larger longitudinal research project. Preliminary data found that post-institutionalized children displayed higher levels of indiscriminate friendliness and lower levels of executive functioning, however no relationship was found between the two variables. When children with IQ levels below 70 were removed from the analysis, a significant relationship was found between working memory and the social disinhibition factor at both sessions. Results suggest that by one year post-adoption, post-institutionalized children continue to show deficits compared to non-adopted children. Further research is necessary to determine appropriate means of intervention.