Romanian orphan studies: Effects of institutionalisation
Key Terms
Institutionalisation- A term for the effects of living in an institutional setting. The
term refers to s place like a hospital or an orphanage where children live for long,
continuous periods of time. In such places, there is often very little emotional care
provided. In attachment research we are interested in the effect of institutional care
on children’s attachment and subsequent development.
Orphan studies- These concern children placed in care because their parents cannot
look after them. An orphan is a child whose parents have either died or have
abandoned them permanently.
Romanian Orphan Studies
What are orphan studies?
- These concern children placed in care because their parents cannot look after
them. An orphan is a child whose parents have either died or have
abandoned them permanently.
What does the term institutionalisation mean?
- A term for the effects of living in an institutional setting. The term institution
refers to a place like a hospital or an orphanage where children live for long,
continuous periods of time. In such places there is often very little emotional
care provided.
Key study: Rutter’s ERA (English and Romanian Adoptee) study (2011)
Who was included in their sample?
- 165 Romanian orphans adopted in Britain.
- A group of 52 British children adopted around the same time would serve as
a control group.
Briefly outline their procedures.
- To test to what extent good care could make up for poor early experiences in
institutions.
- Physical, cognitive and emotional development has been assessed at ages
4,6,11 and 15 years,
- A group of 52 British children adopted around the same time would serve as
a control group.
What were their findings?
- When they first arrived in the UK the adoptees showed signs of delayed
intellectual development and the majority were severely undernourished,
- At age 11 adopted children showed differential rates of recovery that were
related to their age of adoption.
Key Terms
Institutionalisation- A term for the effects of living in an institutional setting. The
term refers to s place like a hospital or an orphanage where children live for long,
continuous periods of time. In such places, there is often very little emotional care
provided. In attachment research we are interested in the effect of institutional care
on children’s attachment and subsequent development.
Orphan studies- These concern children placed in care because their parents cannot
look after them. An orphan is a child whose parents have either died or have
abandoned them permanently.
Romanian Orphan Studies
What are orphan studies?
- These concern children placed in care because their parents cannot look after
them. An orphan is a child whose parents have either died or have
abandoned them permanently.
What does the term institutionalisation mean?
- A term for the effects of living in an institutional setting. The term institution
refers to a place like a hospital or an orphanage where children live for long,
continuous periods of time. In such places there is often very little emotional
care provided.
Key study: Rutter’s ERA (English and Romanian Adoptee) study (2011)
Who was included in their sample?
- 165 Romanian orphans adopted in Britain.
- A group of 52 British children adopted around the same time would serve as
a control group.
Briefly outline their procedures.
- To test to what extent good care could make up for poor early experiences in
institutions.
- Physical, cognitive and emotional development has been assessed at ages
4,6,11 and 15 years,
- A group of 52 British children adopted around the same time would serve as
a control group.
What were their findings?
- When they first arrived in the UK the adoptees showed signs of delayed
intellectual development and the majority were severely undernourished,
- At age 11 adopted children showed differential rates of recovery that were
related to their age of adoption.
