Attachment - institutionalisation: Romanian orphans

Question 1

What was the background of the Romanian orphan studies?

Answer 1

1990s - fall of Communism
Abortion banned and couples required to have as many children as possible
Record numbers of children placed in orphanages

Question 2

What was the aim of Rutter et al (2010)?

Answer 2

To examine the long-term effects if institutionalisation in a longitudinal study (called the ERA - English and Romanian Adoptees)

Question 3

What was the procedure of Rutter et al (2010)?

Answer 3

165 Romanian orphans compared against control group of 52 British children adopted at the same time
Assessed physical, cognitive and emotional development at 4,6,11,15 and 22-25 years

Question 4

What were the findings of Rutter et al (2010)?

Answer 4

• Arriving in UK 1/2 Romanians had delayed intellectual development
• Adopted by 6 months = 102 mean IQ
• Adopted 6 months - 2 years = 86 mean IQ
• Adopted 2+ years = 77 mean IQ

Those adopted after 6 months showed disinhibited attachment (clinginess, attention-seeking directed to all adults)

Question 5

What was the procedure of Zeanah at al (2005)?

Answer 5

Assessed 95 children who had spent 90% (average) time in institutionalised care
Compared to control group of 50 children who had never lived in institute
Carers asked about unusual social behaviour including disinhibited attachment

Question 6

What were the findings of Zeanah at al (2005)?

Answer 6

• 74% of control group classified as securely attached
• 19% of experimental group securely attached
• 44% of experimental had disinhibited attachment disorder