institutionalisation

• privation- when an infant never forms an attachment, it may occur when an infant is raised away from their parents in an institution such as an orphanage or a children's home
• the psychological and behavioural effects of being raised in such institutions are known as institutionalisation
• effects of institutionalisation may include- delayed language development, mental retardation/low IQ, Disinhibited attachment, delayed physical development and difficulties developing relationships in adulthood
• Two major effects to institutionalisation- delayed intellectual development displayed by Rutter, IQ drops within the later time frame of adoption compared to earlier,
• another major effect to institutionalisation- problems in attachment- a higher proportion of disinhibited attachments when compared to a control group- both Rutter and Zeanah, Rutter explained this is due to living with multiple carers during the period of attachment and needing to potentially form a bond with each of them for survival purposes
• disinhibited attachment- a condition where a child lacks typical social boundaries and has a fear of strangers
• symptoms of disinhibited attachment which is a potential consequence of maternal deprivation and institutionalisation- may be overly friendly, talkative, or physical with unfamiliar adults, and may even wander off with a stranger without any hesitation. This is often a result of inadequate caregiving and a lack of secure attachment to a primary caregiver.