Romanian orphan studies: effects of institutionalisation Flashcards
what is institutionalisation?
- when children are cared for by the state
- extended stays in these= alter behaviour
- adoption of the rules and norms of the institution
how does institutionalisation influence childhood development?
- institutions are unable to provide physical and emotional care to young children as families
- negatively influence childhood development negatively
Deprivation vs Privatisation:
- deprivation: not receiving suitable emotional care from primary attachment figure
- privation: more severe, total lack of care, no ability for form an attachment bond
institutional privation (romanian orphanages):
- fall of romanian gov in 1990
- 170,000 abandoned children in privation in orphanages
- lacked physical and emotional care
- malnourished and abused
- adopted into loving western families
Rutter (1998-2011) romanian orphan studies:
- conducted naturalistic experiment
- longditudinal study of 165 romanian orphans
- adopted into british families
Rutter: Procedure
- romanian children grouped into those adopted:
- under 6 mnths, between 6 mnths and 2 years, those older than 2 years
- control group of british adoptees who hadn’t experienced privation
- each group assessed at ages:
- 4, 6, 11 and 15
Rutter’s main findings: at age 6
- kids adopted 6 months showed disinherited attachment= overly friendly behaviour to strangers adults
- more common in those adopted after 2 years old
Rutter’s main findings: at age 11
- over half kids showed disinhibited attachment @ age 6 still showed the behaviour
- kids adopted after 6 months showed delayed physical, emotional and intellectual development
- kids adopted after 24 months had avg IQ of 77 compared to 102 of those adopted under 6 months
- quasi autism was identified= problems understanding social contexts
Rutter’s main findings: at 15 years
- intellectual problems continued at 15 year follow up
What does Rutter’s research suggest?
- adoption working 1st 6 months is important as rate of recovery depends on age of adoption
- effects of privation in institutions are severe and long lasting
- many children adopted after 2 years= recovery
- critical period by bowlby= sensitive period
Evaluating romanian orphans: strength, practical applications
- changed policies around adoption and care in orphanages
- critical workers in institutions give higher level of care to infants
- focus on ensuring early age of adoption
- adoption families are carefully screened
Evaluating romanian orphans: limitations, kids not randomly assigned for adoption
- the children used in studies weren’t randomly assigned
- selected by new parents in romania
- may have resulted in bias
- more docialable children selected for adoption at a younger age
Evaluating romanian orphans: strength, supported and challenged pre- existing theories
- issues romanian orphans adopted at later age have with social development= first few months vital in forming internal working model
- research challenges idea of critical period
- data showing recovery= sensitive period
- damage=severe BUT can be addressed w later care
Evaluating romanian orphans: strength, supporting evidence for sensitive period= Hodges and Tizard (1989)
- children adopted into new caring families= coped batter on measures of behavioural+ peer relationships
- than children returned to abusive families
Evaluating romanian orphans: strengths, supporting evidence for sensitive period= Goldfarb (1947)
- compared 15 kids: brought up in children home beyond 3
- another group fostered @ 6 months
- 12 years old: early fostering led to higher levels of mental ability and social skills
- suggested institutionalisation can be overcome w adequate substitute care
