Effects of institutionalisation

• Key study - Romanian orphans:

  • Rutter & Sonuga-Barke (2010 )
  • 165 romanian orphans (all adopted before they were 4 ) from institutions were compared with 52 adopted british children
  • Tested at 4, 6, 11 & 15 for physical, social & cognitive development
  • Findings: at the adoption, Romanians were behind in all aspects
  • By 4 , orphans adopted before 6 months had caught up
  • Orphans adopted after 6 months showed disinhibited attachments & problems with relationships
  • Conclusions: effects are less severe if children are able to form attachments
• Effects of institutionalisation:

  • Physical underdevelopment - from lack of emotional care ( deprivation dwarfism )
  • Intellectual underfuctioning
  • Disinhibited attachment - treat strangers with inappropriate familiarity
  • Poor parenting
• Effects of institutionalisation AO3:

  • ✅ Real world applications - importance of early adoption - adopted within the first week
  • ✅ Longitudinal study - shows that effects may disappear with suitable care
  • ❌ Individual differences - some aren't as affected as others - may have got extra attention
  • ❌ Other factors - Physical conditions & lack of cognitive stimuli
  • ❌ Effects may be due to slower development - by 11, less had disinhibited attachment . just needed more time - effects aren't permanent
• Effects of institutionalisation AO3:

  • ✅ Real World applications
  • ✅ Longitudinal study
  • ❌ Individual differences
  • ❌ Other factors
  • ❌ Effects may be due to slower development