Life satisfaction of adopted and non-adopted adolescents in four European countries
Adoptees, a group of children consistently shown to be at higher risk of psychosocial difficulties, face particular challenges during adolescence. However, few studies address the well-being of adopted adolescents, and cross-cultural comparisons are rarely reported. The present study assessed the life satisfaction of internationally adopted and non-adopted adolescents living in four European countries. An overall sample of 776 adolescents completed self-report questionnaires. Descriptive analysis and logistic regression models were performed to investigate the association between adoption status and life satisfaction. Adoptees were found at higher risk for low life satisfaction across countries compared to their non-adopted peers (OR = 5.73, 95%CI 2.70-12.16). Friend support was a protective factor, while poor communication with parents was a risk factor for low life satisfaction in both groups. Our findings highlighted the importance of promoting family and social relationships to support the well-being of adopted and non-adopted adolescents in diverse European countries.
Authors
- Jesús Palacios (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5819-9532)
- Isabel Cáceres (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9549-2113)
- Laura Ferrari (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2379-6227)
- Maite Román
- Sonia Ranieri (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4914-8842)
- Francisco Rivera (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8049-7253)
- Rosanna Irene Comoretto (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8601-1899)
- Emanuele Koumantakis (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6994-8375)
- Pablo Carrera (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6580-2045)
- Marie‐Odile Pérouse de Montclos
- Rosa Rosnati
- Paola Berchialla (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5835-5638)
- Steinar Theie (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2800-8576)
- Laurie C. Miller (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3586-2335)
- Lorena Charrier (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1300-4508)
- Carmen Moreno (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1660-7072)
Institutions
- Tufts University (US)
- Pearson (United States) (US)
- University of Oslo (NO)
- Centre Hospitalier Sainte-Anne (FR)
- FHU Neurovasc (FR)
- Department of Public Health (US)
- Universidad Isabel I (ES)
- University of Turin (IT)
- Universidad de Sevilla (ES)
- Catholic University of America (US)
Publication Details
- Journal
- Scientific Reports
- Published
- 2025-05-10
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-00771-3
- Citations
- 1
- Primary Topic
- Child Welfare and Adoption
- Type
- article
- Field-Weighted Citation Impact
- 2.37
Funders
- Universidad de Sevilla
- Glasgow Caledonian University
- University of Glasgow
- Università degli Studi di Padova
- Universitetet i Bergen
- École des Hautes Études en Santé Publique
- European Regional Development Fund
- Agencia Estatal de Investigación