3.8 Romanian Orphan Studies: Effects of Institutionalisation

• What economic challenges did Romania face in the 1980s and 1990s that led to a surge in children being placed in orphanages?

  Economic challenges
• Research studies, notably by Michael Rutter, have shown that children raised in Romanian orphanages often experienced developmental delays
• Match the features of Romanian orphanages with foster care settings:

  Adult-to-child Ratio ↔️ Very high in orphanages, low in foster care

  Care Quality ↔️ Minimal in orphanages, high in foster care

  Stimulation ↔️ Very limited in orphanages, abundant in foster care
• What is institutionalisation characterized by in terms of personal interaction and attention?

  Limited interaction and attention
• Institutionalisation can lead to attachment disorders due to inconsistent care
• The conditions in Romanian orphanages included overcrowded facilities and minimal adult interaction.
• Which researchers highlighted the significant effects of institutionalisation in Romanian orphan studies?

  Michael Rutter
• Key studies on Romanian orphans, like Rutter's ERA Project, have greatly enhanced our understanding of institutionalisation's effects
• Children adopted before six months of age in Rutter's ERA Project showed significant recovery from the effects of institutionalisation.
• What did the Bucharest Early Intervention Project find regarding the impact of foster care versus institutional care on children?

  Foster care improved development
• Match the study with its key design and findings:

  Rutter's ERA Project ↔️ Longitudinal; early institutionalization causes delays but early adoption aids recovery

  Bucharest Early Intervention Project ↔️ Randomized controlled trial; foster care improves cognitive, social, and attachment
• The short-term effects of institutionalisation include developmental delays
• Long-term effects of institutionalisation can include impaired social skills and lower academic performance.
• What is one potential long-term effect of institutionalisation on mental health?

  Ongoing mental health issues
• What is one short-term effect of institutionalisation on children?

  Developmental Delays
• Attachment disorders are a short-term effect of institutionalisation
• Long-term effects of institutionalisation can persist into adulthood.
• What is one long-term effect of institutionalisation on children?

  Impaired Social Skills
• Institutionalisation can have both short-term and long-term effects
• Behavioral problems are a short-term effect of institutionalisation.
• What is a potential long-term mental health issue associated with institutionalisation?

  Ongoing mental health issues
• Potential ongoing mental health issues are a long-term effect of institutionalisation
• Which long-term effect of institutionalisation is most related to academic performance?

  Lower Academic Performance
• Lower academic performance is a long-term effect of institutionalisation.
• What is an example of a short-term effect of institutionalisation on children?

  Attachment Disorders
• Impaired social skills are a long-term effect of institutionalisation
• Children adopted before six months in Rutter's ERA Project showed significant recovery.
• What economic challenges did Romania face during the 1980s and 1990s?

  Significant economic challenges
• Minimal adult interaction was a typical condition in Romanian orphanages
• Michael Rutter's research highlighted the effects of institutionalisation.
• What economic challenges did Romania face during the 1980s and 1990s?

  Significant economic challenges
• During the 1980s and 1990s, Romania faced economic challenges leading to an increase in children placed in orphanages
• Romanian orphanages in the 1980s and 1990s were well-resourced and provided high-quality care.

  False
• What were typical conditions in Romanian orphanages during the 1980s and 1990s?

  Overcrowded, minimal adult interaction
• Match the features with the correct care setting:

  Adult-to-child Ratio: Very high ↔️ Romanian Orphanages

  Care Quality: High ↔️ Foster Care
• Romanian orphan studies have significantly shaped modern child welfare policies
• Institutionalization involves long-term care characterized by high levels of personal interaction and attention.

  False
• What are potential developmental effects of institutionalization?

  Developmental delays, attachment disorders
• Institutionalization can lead to attachment disorders due to inconsistent care
• The Bucharest Early Intervention Project compared foster care with institutional care to study the effects of early intervention.