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Family Conflict Observations And Outcomes Among Adopted School-Age Children With Lesbian, Gay, And Heterosexual Parents, Rachel H. Farr, Samuel T. Bruun, Kyle A. Simon

Psychology Faculty Publications

Children’s externalizing problems are associated with family conflict among children and their biological parents, yet these linkages have remained unexamined among adoptive or lesbian and gay parent families. Investigating family processes facilitative of adjustment among adoptees, who face unique developmental challenges, is warranted. This multimethod study of 96 (26 lesbian, 29 gay, 41 heterosexual parent) adoptive families examined observations of adoptive family conflict and associations with child adjustment and feelings about adoption (children’s M_age = 8 years). The sample was recruited from 5 private, domestic infant adoption agencies across the United States. Parents and children reported about children’s externalizing …