Date Approved
2021
Degree Type
Open Access Thesis
Degree Name
Master of Science (MS)
Department or School
Psychology
Committee Member
Jin Bo, Ph.D.
Committee Member
Jamie Lawler, Ph.D., L.P.
Committee Member
Stephen Jefferson, Ph.D.
Committee Member
Elisa A. Esposito, Ph.D.
Abstract
Internationally adopted (IA) children often have attention deficits related to the unique experience they have with early-life stress. The current study focused on how elements of the care experienced by IA children related to attention deficits. Specifically, this study assessed how length of care and type of care related to attention. The study assessed attention using parent report questionnaires, the Colors Flanker Task, and event-related potentials (e.g., Error related negativity, N2). A post-hoc analysis of a pre-existing data set included 96 IA children ages 5-10. The main finding indicated that children cared for in foster care over time were rated by parents as less impulsive and had lower parent ratings of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder than children cared for in institutional facilities. These results support the idea that foster care placement in earlier childhood may be a helpful intervention for attention problems in IA children.
Recommended Citation
Augustiniak, Alyssa, "Impacting factors for attention in children who are internationally adopted" (2021). Master's Theses and Doctoral Dissertations. 1076.
https://commons.emich.edu/theses/1076