While most children are adopted as infants and children, many adoptees are also of adolescent age. Prospective adoptive parents may opt to adopt an adolescent for a variety of reasons, including age matching to their current children and an adolescent’s increased communication capabilities and independence. However, it is important for parents to understand and anticipate the differing needs of adolescent children in comparison to adopting a young child or infant.

Difficulties Associated with Adopting Adolescents

Few studies have been conducted on adopted adolescent populations. Most of the data on adoptees focuses on young children and infants. However, the data that does exist about adopted adolescents demonstrate that they may experience additional behavior problems, attachment issues, and have a more difficult time adjusting than children adopted at a younger age. Adopted adolescents may have a higher likelihood of presenting with insecure-avoidant attachment than nonadopted adolescents, which is often seen in children who have been institutionalized or adopted at an older age (Escobar et al., 2014; Escobar & Santelices, 2013). Teens with insecure avoidant attachment may appear distant and as not desiring comfort from a caregiver. This attachment style can make family bonding more difficult and lead to issues within the adolescent’s future romantic relationships. Additionally, adopted adolescents present with clinically significant symptoms of behavior problems more often than nonadopted children their age (Brodzinsky et al., 1987). Seeking additional help for these behavior problems may be necessary. Lastly, adopted adolescents have a much harder time adjusting behaviorally and emotionally than adopted infants or young children (Sharma et al., 1996).

Positives of Adopting Adolescents 

Additional research shows a contrasting view, demonstrating that adopted adolescents do not experience additional hardships in comparison to younger adoptees or nonadopted adolescents. In one study, adolescents who grew up with their biological families were compared with adolescents who grew up with adoptive families. They found that there were no significant differences in behavioral problems (Escobar et al., 2014). Another study found no link between the previous experiences (abuse, neglect, trauma) adolescent adoptees had and their functioning and adjustment, as well as no evidence of school problems, social problems, or externalizing behaviors (Gleitman, & Savaya, 2011). Adopted adolescents may not be more difficult to parent or have a harder time adjusting than younger children. Lastly, adopted adolescents may be able to form healthy attachments with their adoptive parents despite previous insecure forms of attachment (Escobar et al., 2014).