romanian orphan studies: institutionalisation

• Institution

  A place like a hospital or an orphanage; in this context, a place where children live for long; continuous periods of time, and in Romanian orphanages, in which there is little emotional care or stimulation provided.
• Orphan studies

  Research concerning children placed into care because their parents have died or permanently abandoned them.
• Key worker

  Important individuals who work with children in institutions; there are one or two key workers.
• Attrition

  When a group gets smaller in number due to participants dropping out.
• Institutionalisation

  The effects of living in an institutional setting, outside the family home; in this context, the effects of institutional care on children's attachment and subsequent development.
• Disinhibited attachment

  Attachment style characterised by a child acting equally friendly and affectionate towards people they know well and towards strangers (rather than discriminating between known adults and strangers).
• Disorganised attachment

  Children who show a mix of insecure-resistant and insecure-avoidant behaviours; unable to organise their emotional responses.
• Mental retardation

  Cognitive development that is markedly below the average level and a decreased ability to adapt to one's environment.