Attachment: Lesson 7 -Institutional Card

Question 1

What us institutionalisation?

Answer 1

• institutionalisation is when a child’s living arrangements are outside of the family
• Some children are raised in institutions, such as children’s homes, hostels, hospitals etc
• Children raised in institutions can adopt the rules and norms of the institution, which could impair functioning and lead to a loss of personal identity(deindividuation)

Question 2

Which study studied Romanian Orphans?

Answer 2

Rutter et al. (2010)

Question 3

What was the procedure of Rutter et al 2010)?

Answer 3

• This study involved 165 Romanian children who spent their early lives in Romanian orphanages,before being adopted,and thus suffered from the effects of institutionalisation
• The adoptees were tested at regular intervals (ages 4, 6,11 and 15) to assess their physical, cognitive and social development
• Their progress was compared to a control group of 52 British children adopted in the UK before the age of six months

Question 4

What are the findings of Rutter et al. (2010)

Answer 4

• At the time of adoption the Romanian orphans lagged behind their British counterparts on all measures of physical, cognitive and social development
• By the age of four the Romanian children adopted before the age of six months had caught up with their British counterparts
• However, a significant number of individuals adopted after the age of six months still had significant deficits at age four

Question 5

What are the conclusions of Rutter et al (2010)?

Answer 5

• This study suggests that the long-term consequences of institutionalisation may be less severe than was once thought if children are adopted before six months and receive sensitive parenting
• However, if childrenare not adopted by six months then the consequences of institionalisation are likely to be severe.

Question 6

What are the effects of Institutionalisation?

Answer 6

1. Delayed Intellectual Development
2. Disinhibited Attachment
3. Emotional Developmemt
4. Lack of Internal Working Model
5. Quasi-Autism
6. Delayed Physical development

Question 7

Evaluation of the effects of Institutionalisation (improvement in Institutionalised care) (+)

Answer 7

+ Studies that have investigated the effects of institionalisation haveenhanced our understanding of thepotential negative consequences of institutional care and has led to theestablishment of key workers in institutions to provide emotional care for children

Question 8

Evaluation of the effects of Institutionalisation (improvement in the adoption process) (+)

Answer 8

+ Studies that have investigated the effects of institionalisation have also led to changes in the adoption process
+ In the past mothers were encouraged to nurse their children for as long as possible before giving them up for adoption
+ Today most babies are adopted within their first week of life (certainly before six months)

Question 9

Evaluation of the effects of Institutionalisation (appalling physical conditions could have played a part in the damage done to orphans) (-)

Answer 9

• There are problems whengeneralising findings of studies of Romanian orphansas standards of care were particularly poor in Romanian orphanages
• The Romanian orphans were faced with much more than emotional deprivation
• The physical conditions were appalling, and there was a lack of cognitive stimulation
• It is likely that long-term damage from institutional care onlyoccurs when there are multiple risk factors.