Remarkable cognitive catch-up in Chinese Adoptees nine years after adoption

Abstract

We investigated (1) whether 10-year-old internationally adopted Chinese girls who, on average, showed below-average intellectual functioning two and six months after adoption (Times 1–2, N = 92), showed catch-up in intellectual functioning, school achievement, and executive functioning nine years later (Time 3, N = 87). We tested (2) effects of type of pre-adoption care (institutional versus foster care), and effects of parental sensitivity (factor score for supportive presence and for intrusiveness compiling all three time points), and we examined (3) whether the latter buffered the effects of type of care. The children showed significant recovery and complete catch-up in intellectual functioning at Time 3, and did not lag behind at school compared to non-adopted children. Contrary to the results of Times 1 and 2, type of care was not associated with cognitive development at Time 3. Parental sensitivity did not buffer the link between type of care and cognitive development.