Romanian orphan studies: effects of institutionalisation

ERA - 165 Romanian orphans, early lives in institutions, suffered effects of instituionalisation. 11 adopted before 2, 54 by 4.

Tested at age 4, 6, 11 + 15, assessed physical, cognitive + social development. Info gathered at interviewed w/ parents + teachers. Compared to control group, 52 British adoptees adopted in UK before 6 months.

Time of adoption, Romanians behind British on all measures. By age 4, caught up - true for almost all Romanian children adopted before 6 months old.

Later follow ups confirmed significant deficits remain in minority who experienced institutional care beyond 6 months. Many showed disinhibited attacments + problems w/ peer relationships.

Suggests LT consequences less severe than once though if children have opp to form attachments. If don't could be more severe.

Physical underdevelopment

Intellectual underfunctioning

Disinhibited attachment

Poor parenting

Value of longitudinal studies - results could have been diff if stopped study earlier

Real life app - shows importance of early adoption - today most babies adopted w/in 1 week of birth so doesn't affect attachment.

Individual diffs - Rutter suggested some of orphans may have had special treatment, means did have some early attachment, less severe consequences in future.

Emotional deprivation only one factor - bad physical conditions, could -> bad health.

Institutionalisation may just be slow development - research implies effects irreversible, but may not be true as get there eventually, just slower than others. Le Mare + Audet found physical underdevelopment improved by 11, shows development does continue, may not have reached full potential in studies so far.