THE IMPACT OF PREVIOUS SEXUAL ABUSE ON CHILDRENS ADJUSTMENT IN ADOPTIVE PLACEMENT

This article explores the effects of previous sexual abuse on the adjustment of children in adoptive placement. A conceptual model is used to interpret the findings of a study comparing the adoptive placements of 35 sexually abused children with the placements of 113 children who had no identified history of sexual abuse. Data were gathered from the children's case records. Results indicate that sexually abused children experienced more moves when in care, increased frequency of disrupted adoptive placements, greater behavioral difficulties, and more attachment problems than the comparison group. This article examines the interaction of sexual abuse and adoption issues and discusses the implications of the findings for social work practice with sexually abused children and their adoptive families.