Effects of Institutionalisation

what is institutionalisation

the effects of living in an institutional setting

What was Rutters aim?

to see how good care makes up for poor early experiences in poor institutions

What was Rutters procedure?

followed 165 Romanian orphans adopted in Britain

was assessed to determine their physical, emotional and cognitive development at 4,6,11 and 15 years

british children who had been adopted used as control

What were Rutters findings?

when first arrived, signs of mental retardation

IQ negatively affected

• before 6 months - 102

• 2 years - 86

• 2+ years - 77

attachment negatively affected if adopted after 6 months, disinhibited attachment e.g. attention seeking and clinginess

adoptees smaller and signs of quasi-autism

What was Rutters conclusion?

early institutionalisation can increase the risk of a low IQ and disinhibited attachment

What was The Bucharest Early Invention aim?

to determine the long term effects of early institutionalism on attachment style

What was The Bucharest Early Invention procedure?

assesed attachment in 95 children aged 12-31 months who had spent most of their lives in institutional care

control group - 50 children never been in care

attachment type measured by SS

What were The Bucharest Early Invention findings?

74% control group - secure

19% institutionalised care - secure

44% institutionalised care - disorganised attachment

What were The Bucharest Early Invention conclusion?

early institutionalisation may reduce the chance of an infant developing a secure attachment and increase the risk of developing a disorganised attachment