Institutionalisation

• What is institutionalization?


  The effects of living in an institutional setting, such as an orphanage or hospital, for extended periods, often leading to developmental issues.
• What are the key features of institutional care?

  Little emotional care. Lack of consistent caregivers. Limited opportunities for attachment formation.
• What are the main effects of institutionalization?

  Disinhibited attachment. Intellectual delay. Social and emotional development issues.
• What is disinhibited attachment?

  form of insecure attachment where children are overly friendly and indiscriminate in forming bonds with strangers.
• Who conducted key research on the effects of institutionalization?

  Rutter et al. (2011) – the English and Romanian Adoptee (ERA) study.
• What were the key findings of Rutter et al.'s study?

  
  

  
  

  
  

  Romanian orphans adopted before 6 months had normal development.

  
  

  Those adopted after 6 months showed disinhibited attachment and intellectual delay.

  
  

  Long-term effects depended on the age of adoption.Romanian orphans adopted before 6 months had normal development.

  
  

  Those adopted after 6 months showed disinhibited attachment and intellectual delay.

  
  

  Long-term effects depended on the age of adoption.
• What is the role of the critical period in institutionalization?

  Bowlby’s critical period suggests early deprivation (especially in the first 6 months) can lead to long-term negative effects on attachment and development.