Romanian Orphan Studies: Effects of Institutionalisation

Question 1

Institutionalisation in Romania

Answer 1

President required Romanian women to have 5 children. Parents couldn’t afford to keep their children so sent them to orphanages. Then were adopted.

Question 2

Rutter’s English & Romanian Adoptee Study (PROCEDURE)

Answer 2

165 orphans adopted in Britain to test to what extent good care could make up for poor early experiences in institutions. Physical, cognitive, emotional development tested at ages 4, 6, 11, 15. 52 children adopted at that same time were control group.

Question 3

Rutter’s English & Romanian Adoptee Study (FINDINGS)

Answer 3

When arrived in UK, half showed signs of delayed intellectual development and maj. were undernourished. At age 11, they showed recovery. In terms of attachment, difference in outcome related to whether adoption took place before or after age 6 months. Adopted after 6 months showed clinginess & attention seeking. Adopted before 6 months didn’t show any of that.

Question 4

Zeanah’s Bucharest Early Intervention Project (PROCEDURE)

Answer 4

95 children aged 12-31 months who had spent most of their life in institutional care. Compared to control group of 50 children who had never lived in institution. Attachment type measured using SS. Carers were also asked about clinginess, etc.

Question 5

Zeanah’s Bucharest Early Intervention Project (FINDINGS)

Answer 5

74% of control group came out as secure. 19% of exp. group were secure. 65% of exp. group were mix of avoidant and resistant. 44% were clingy, etc.

Question 6

Effects of Institutionalisation

Answer 6

Disinhibited attachment & Mental retardation

Question 7

Disinhibited Attachment

Answer 7

Friendly towards familiar/unfamiliar adults which is strange as they should show stranger anxiety. This attachment would be clinginess, attention seeking, etc.

Question 8

Mental Retardation

Answer 8

Showed signs of it when arriving in Britain. Most who were adopted before 6 months caught up with control group by age 4.

Question 9

Strength

Answer 9

Real life application. Led to improvements in the way children are cared for in institutions. Now instead of having a lot of carers care for one child (to avoid disinhibited attachment) they have one key worker to develop normal attachments.

Question 10

Weakness

Answer 10

Romanian orphanages weren’t typical. Conditions might have been so bad that results can’t be generalised to other institutions.