ABSTRACT
In some sibling relationships, the following may occur: one child's emotional needs become so great that he or she needs the sole attention of the adoptive family; and it becomes necessary to break dysfunctional relationship patterns such as constant scapegoating. When children are removed from their birthfamilies, they not only experience the loss of their birthparents, but they also may grieve deeply the loss of siblings. Kadushin and Seidl reported that sibling placements in homes that already had one or more children were more likely to disrupt than those with only the placed siblings. Lahti, however, concluded that the age of the other children in the home is the key factor. According to Lahti, there is increased risk for disruption when sibling groups are placed in families with other children who are about the same age. Similarly, Barth and Berry found no disrupted adoptions in sibling placements in homes with no other children.
