Research Interests
My research interests focus on investigating the overrepresentation of adoptive children in psychiatric and special education populations. A considerable body of literature strongly suggests that adoptees are at-risk for a number of adjustment problems, including academic under-achievement, low self-esteem, depression, poor social skills, delinquency and substance abuse. Although these problems have been well-documented in the literature, researchers have failed to examine their causes and correlates. What is it about being adopted that might place a child at-risk for these problems? As a developmentalist, my approach to this problem begins with the identification of processes that contribute to competence for some children and maladjustment for others. Adoption is increasingly being chosen as a route to parenthood in the United States; consequently, it is imperative that researchers address these questions to help ensure that all adoptive children have an opportunity for a happy childhood and a permanent home.
Presentations
Kriebel, D.K., Connell, A., & Fayewicz, K. (2007). The long shadow of parenting: A longitudinal study on the effect of child-centered parenting on adoptive children. Poster session presented at annual meeting of the Eastern Psychological Association, Philadelphia, PA.
Psychology research group (July, 2004). Beliefs/Knowledge About Adoption Study, poster presentation, 2004 meeting of the Eastern Psychological Association, Washington, DC.
from
left to right: Tara White, Jackie Vasinda, and Mary Gabala
Beliefs/Knowledge About Adoption Study
How do clinicians make decisions about the needs of adoptive children? Where do they go for information about the issues that affect this special group of children? Our study examines these issues with a large, national sample of social workers, counselors, and clinical psychologists. It is our hope that the results of this study will be used in the training and preparation of future clinicians.
Publications
Kriebel, D.K., Wigfield, A., Riley, D., Krebs, M., & Marklin, J. (2002). Preparing for permanency: Results from a therapeutic intervention with foster children in the midst of permanency planning. Adoption Quarterly, 6 (2), 59-65.
Harden, B.J., Clyman, R., Kriebel, D.K., & Lyons, M.E. (2004). Kith and kin care: Parental attitudes and resources of foster and relative caregivers. Children and Youth Services Review, 26 (7) 657-671.