Co-Sleeping, Regressive Parenting, and Onset of Punishment as Predictors of Child Adjustment 5 Years After International Adoption: An Empirical Evaluation of Controversial Practices in Popular Adoption Manuals

Abstract

Co-sleeping, regressive parenting, and punishment in the first year post-adoption were used to predict externalizing, internalizing, attachment disturbances, and full-scale IQ at 5 years post-adoption for 38 children adopted internationally at ages 0 through 11. Co-sleeping predicted less internalizing. Regressive parenting predicted fewer attachment disturbances and lower IQ in older children (adopted at ages 4–11). Regressive parenting was unrelated to adjustment at the 5-year anniversary in younger children (adopted at ages 0–4). Earlier onset of nonphysical punishment predicted less internalizing; earlier onset of physical punishment predicted higher IQ. Analyses are framed by a review/critique of popular “parenting manuals” for adoptive parents that encourage very different degrees of intrusiveness in the promotion of attachment and exercise of parental control.