Life satisfaction of adopted and non-adopted adolescents in four European countries

Abstract 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 assess...

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Main Authors: Laura Ferrari, Emanuele Koumantakis, Sonia Ranieri, Lorena Charrier, Maite Román, Isabel Cáceres, Laurie C. Miller, Carmen Moreno, Francisco Rivera, Paola Berchialla, Rosanna I. Comoretto, Pablo Carrera, Marie-Odile Pérouse de Montclos, Steinar Theie, Jesús Palacios, Rosa Rosnati
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Nature Portfolio 2025-05-01
Series:Scientific Reports
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Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-00771-3
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author Laura Ferrari
Emanuele Koumantakis
Sonia Ranieri
Lorena Charrier
Maite Román
Isabel Cáceres
Laurie C. Miller
Carmen Moreno
Francisco Rivera
Paola Berchialla
Rosanna I. Comoretto
Pablo Carrera
Marie-Odile Pérouse de Montclos
Steinar Theie
Jesús Palacios
Rosa Rosnati
author_facet Laura Ferrari
Emanuele Koumantakis
Sonia Ranieri
Lorena Charrier
Maite Román
Isabel Cáceres
Laurie C. Miller
Carmen Moreno
Francisco Rivera
Paola Berchialla
Rosanna I. Comoretto
Pablo Carrera
Marie-Odile Pérouse de Montclos
Steinar Theie
Jesús Palacios
Rosa Rosnati
author_sort Laura Ferrari
collection DOAJ
description Abstract 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.
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spelling doaj-art-dee60b0fb468404fb75fac0f341c72162025-08-20T02:15:28ZengNature PortfolioScientific Reports2045-23222025-05-011511910.1038/s41598-025-00771-3Life satisfaction of adopted and non-adopted adolescents in four European countriesLaura Ferrari0Emanuele Koumantakis1Sonia Ranieri2Lorena Charrier3Maite Román4Isabel Cáceres5Laurie C. Miller6Carmen Moreno7Francisco Rivera8Paola Berchialla9Rosanna I. Comoretto10Pablo Carrera11Marie-Odile Pérouse de Montclos12Steinar Theie13Jesús Palacios14Rosa Rosnati15Family Studies and Research University Centre, Department of Psychology, Catholic UniversityPost Graduate School of Medical Statistics, University of TurinFamily Studies and Research University Centre, Department of Psychology, Catholic UniversityDepartment of Public Health and Pediatrics, University of TurinDepartment of Developmental and Educational Psychology, University of SevilleDepartment of Developmental and Educational Psychology, University of SevilleGHU Paris Psychiatrie & Neurosciences - Sainte AnneDepartment of Developmental and Educational Psychology, University of SevilleDepartment of Experimental Psychology, University of SevilleCentre of Biostatistics, Epidemiology and Public Health, Department of Clinical and Biological Sciences, University of TurinDepartment of Public Health and Pediatrics, University of TurinDepartment of Developmental and Educational Psychology, University of SevilleGHU Paris Psychiatrie & Neurosciences - Sainte AnneDepartment of Special Needs Education, University of OsloDepartment of Developmental and Educational Psychology, University of SevilleFamily Studies and Research University Centre, Department of Psychology, Catholic UniversityAbstract 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.https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-00771-3AdolescenceInternational adoptionLife satisfactionCommunicationParental supportPeer support
spellingShingle Laura Ferrari
Emanuele Koumantakis
Sonia Ranieri
Lorena Charrier
Maite Román
Isabel Cáceres
Laurie C. Miller
Carmen Moreno
Francisco Rivera
Paola Berchialla
Rosanna I. Comoretto
Pablo Carrera
Marie-Odile Pérouse de Montclos
Steinar Theie
Jesús Palacios
Rosa Rosnati
Life satisfaction of adopted and non-adopted adolescents in four European countries
Scientific Reports
Adolescence
International adoption
Life satisfaction
Communication
Parental support
Peer support
title Life satisfaction of adopted and non-adopted adolescents in four European countries
title_full Life satisfaction of adopted and non-adopted adolescents in four European countries
title_fullStr Life satisfaction of adopted and non-adopted adolescents in four European countries
title_full_unstemmed Life satisfaction of adopted and non-adopted adolescents in four European countries
title_short Life satisfaction of adopted and non-adopted adolescents in four European countries
title_sort life satisfaction of adopted and non adopted adolescents in four european countries
topic Adolescence
International adoption
Life satisfaction
Communication
Parental support
Peer support
url https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-00771-3
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