Rutter et al (1998)

• studied the effects of privation and institutionalisation in their Romanian orphan studies
• Conditions in 1990s Romania were difficult, and the children placed in orphanages suffered from minimal contact with adults and poor nutrition, a key aim of Rutter's study was to see whether the effects of such extreme privation in early life could be overcome with love and care
• Procedure- sample- 165 children who had been placed in Romanian Orphanages before 2 weeks of age. Rutter and colleagues studied these children according to 3 categories-
• 3 categories- Children adopted into British families before 6 months old, children adopted into British families between 6 months and 2 years of age, children adopted into British families after 2 years of age
• Control group- 52 British children adopted into British families
• study was a longitudinal study- it would measure the physical and cognitive development of infants age 4, 6 and 11
• findings- the sooner the adoption of the children was, the the quicker the developmental progress, those who were adopted later showed slower developmental progress, amongst other issues
• conclusions of rutters research- this study concluded that institutionalisation and deprivation have long term, severe effects on emotional, social, cognitive and even intellectual development.
• conclusion- the earlier the adoption occurs, the less severe the long term effects of institutionalisation and deprivation, as the children have an opportunity to form attachments
• English-Romanian Adoptee study
• When the adoptees first arrived in the UK they were malnourished and showed signs of delayed intellectual development, however when retested at age of 11, their rates of recovery reflected their age of adoption
• adoption age vs mean IQ at age 11- before 6 months- 102, 6 months- 2 years- 86, after 2 years- 77,
• Adoptees who were adopted after the 6 month mark showed signs of a disinhibited attachment style such as being clingy or seeking out attention- could be a result of living with multiple carers over a long period of time
• Nicolae Ceausescu- to boost the population, restrictions on abortion and contraception were implemented- women were encouraged to have lots of children,
• after the 1989 revolution, many of the children were adopted by English families, this gave psychologists the opportunity to study the emotional and intellectual effects of deprivation,
• Rutter followed 165 orphans adopted by british families, was asking the question of whether good quality after care could make up for negative early attachment experiences
• the adoptees into british families were assessed at various ages of 4,6,11, 15 and 22-25, they were compared to a control group of british adoptees
• when the adoptees first arrived in the UK, the adoptees were malnourished and showed signs of delayed intellectual development,
• rates of recovery when tested at the age of 11, were related to their age at adoption
• Rutter found clear attachment issues, particularly in children adopted after the age of 6 months, known as the disinhibited attachment style, this includes clingyness, attention-seeking behaviour, and social behaviour directed indiscriminately to both familiar and unfamiliar adults, could be a result of living with numerous caregivers and needing to bond with them