Studied 100 Romanian
orphans, and they were
assessed at ages 4, 6
and 11.
Compared to a control group: UK
born children who were adopted
before the age of 4 months.
Semi-structured interviews were carried out
with the child and parent. Also observation to
see if the child makes any inapropriate physical
contact with adults.
IV= age at adoption (<6 months, 6-24 months, 2-4 years)
DV= Inhibited/disinhibited attachment
FINIDINGS
Romanian orphans adopted by
British families before 6 months
showed 'normal' emotional
development.
However many of the orphans adopted
after the age of 6 months showed problems
with peers and disinhibited attachment.
DISINHIBITED ATTACHMENT= a behavioural pattern
sown by children brought up in institutions: Lack of
fear of strangers, lack of looking back to parent in
times of stress, attention seeking from ALL adults,
inapropriate physical contact to adults
EVALUATION
Research is made rich and detailed as
there was a range of methods used to
assess the childrens behaviour. E.g.
semi-structured interviews and obervation
to see if child makes inapropriate
physical contact
Longitudinal study therefore it
suffers attrition making the
study unrepresentative and the
end sample will be bias.