institutionalisation

• Rutter 


  Longitudinal study on institutionalised children from Romania. 165 children- 111 were adopted before 2 yrs, 54 were adopted by 4 yrs. Control group- 52 British children. Development was assessed at regular intervals (4,6,11 and 15). Interviews with parents and teachers
• Findings

  • Romanian orphans had delayed development
  • Physically smaller, weighed less and had delayed intellectual development
  • Romanian orphans adopted before 6 months caught up on their development
  • Orphans adopted after 6 months had significant social, cognitive and intellectual deficits. More likely to experience difficulties with making or maintaining peer relationships
• Conclusion 


  Institutionalisation can have severe long- term effects on development, especially if they aren’t provided with adequate emotional care
• Zeenah- Bucharest Early Intervention Project

  • 100 children- aged 12-31 months 90% spent most of life in orphanages. control group no institution
  • Used strange situation procedure
  • Institution carers and parents asked about different behaviours
• Findings

  • 3/4 of control group had secure attachments
  • 1/5 of institutionalised children