Institutionalisation

Institutionalisation

1. Romanian Orphan Studies Rutter et.al

   • To investigate whether a loving, nurturing environment and care could overcome the effects of deprivation and privation.
   • (Method) A natural experiment was conducted using a longitudinal design. The children were in 3 categories of age which are below 6 months, between 6 months and 2 years, 2 years and older. 111 Romanian orphans were initially assessed for height, head circumference and cognitive function. A control group of 52 British adopted children were also assessed. They were assessed again at the age of 4
   • (Result) At the initial assessment about 50% of the Romanian orphans were retarded in cognitive function and most were underweight. At age 4, the Romanian orphans showed great improvements in physical and cognitive development.
   • (Conclusion) The negative effects of institutionalisation can be overcome by loving, nurturing care. Separation from carers will not on its own cause negative developmental effects.
   • (Rutter et al.) reported that emotional problems, poor peer relations and behaviour problems were not associated with institutionalisation.
   • Some of the adopted Romanian orphans were followed up at age 11. About 50% of those showing disinhibited attachment.
   • Evaluation
     • Longitudinal study- high drop out rate and lose contact. This may cause bias.
     • Extraneous variables- people pick healthier babies which means children would more likely to be healthier
     • Canadian parents showed a similar result suggesting that Rutter's study is reliable

2. Refers to the effects of orphanages and residential care home on the attachment of the children.

3. Effect

   • Disinhibited attachment- characterised by clingy, attention-seeking behaviour and indiscriminate sociability to adults. They do not exhibit stranger anxiety.
   • Mental retardation
     • (Golfarb) compared 2 groups groups of children ages between 10 and 14 years. The group of 15 which have spent their first 3 years in an institution scored lower on tests of intelligence, language and sociability than those who had spent their first 3 years in a foster home.
   • (Golfarb) compared 2 groups from a poor and inadequately staffed orphanage. The group that spent longer before being fostered did not perform as well on intelligence tests, were socially less mature and more likely to be aggressive
   • (Rutter et al) The effects of institutionalisation can be reversed as long as the adoption takes place before 6 months old when attachment form
   • (Spitz and Wolf) investigated infants in orphanages in South America. The orphans suffered from anaclitic depression- a state involving resigned helplessness and a loss of appetite