Effects of early institutionalisation

Question 1

Procedure the English Romanian adoptee study (Rutter)

Answer 1

• Followed 165 orphans adopted by British families
• Cognitive, physical and emotional development assessed at ages 4,6,11,15 and 22-25 and compared to control

Question 2

Intellectual impact (ERA)

Answer 2

• Upon arrival = malnourished and signs of delayed intellectual development
• Rates of recovery when tested at age 11 related to adoption age
• Before 6 months -> IQ 102
  6 months - 2 years -> IQ 86
  After 2 years -> 77

Question 3

ERA impact on attachment

Answer 3

• Disinhibited attachment type in adoptees adopted after 6 months
• Clingy, attention seeking, social behaviour directed indiscriminately

Question 4

Describe the Bucharest early intervention project (Zeanah et al. 2005)

Answer 4

• Attachment in 95 12-31 month old Romanian children who had spent most of their lives in institutional care
• Compared to control of 50 (never been in care)
• Lower % secure + higher % disinhibited amongst Romanian Orphans compared to control

Question 5

Evaluations

Answer 5

• Socially sensitive
• ERA: only dated from childhood to mid 20’s - doesn’t delve into MH, romantic or parental relationships

+ real world application: care system - encourage fostering + adoptions over institutions –> better outcomes

• Confounding variables: remarkably poor care, very little stimulation, lack of comfort: effects of poor care rather than institutions generally