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Impact of Institutional Upbringing on Children

May 4, 2025

Lecture Notes: The Case of Romanian Orphans and Institutional Impact

Introduction

  • Focus on the impact of institutional upbringing on children, specifically looking at Romanian orphans from the 1980s.
  • Examine the effects on attachment and overall development.

Historical Context

  • Romania in the 1980s:
    • Under Communist ruler Nicolae CeauČ™escu.
    • Policies to boost population growth (e.g., taxation for being childless, contraception ban).
    • Economic struggles led to inability to care for large populations of children.
    • Result: Parents sent children to large orphanages.

Orphanage Conditions

  • Varied from poor to appalling.
  • Children experienced:
    • Confinement to cots.
    • Few toys or playthings.
    • Little interaction with caregivers.
    • Physically harsh environments.
  • Over 100,000 children sent to orphanages.

Post-Communism Transition

  • 1989: Nicolae CeauČ™escu killed, orphanages exposed by world media.
  • Global reaction: Increased international adoptions, particularly in the UK.

Research Study: English and Romanian Adoptee (ERA) Study

  • Led by Michael Rutter.
  • Aim: To investigate the possibility of recovery from early deprivation.
  • Sample:
    • 165 Romanian orphans adopted in the UK.
    • Control group: 52 British children adopted before 6 months of age.
  • Method:
    • Longitudinal tracking.
    • Assessments at ages 4, 6, 11, and 15.

Findings

  • Early Adoption (before 6 months):
    • Near complete catch-up in physical and cognitive development by age 4.
  • Late Adoption (after 6 months):
    • Persistent developmental delays observed.

Delays Noted

  1. Quasi Autism:
    • Symptoms similar to autism, e.g., obsessive behaviors.
  2. Disinhibited Attachment:
    • Inappropriate stranger interactions.
    • Lack of attachment to a single caregiver.
  3. Inattention and Overactivity:
    • Higher rates in children adopted after 6 months.
  4. Cognitive Impairment:
    • IQ discrepancies based on age of adoption:
      • Adopted before 6 months: Mean IQ 102.
      • Adopted between 6 months-2 years: Mean IQ 86.
      • Adopted after 2 years: Mean IQ 77.
    • Implications for learning abilities and school performance.

Conclusion

  • Rutter's conclusion: Institutional deprivation effects are not permanent.
  • Recovery is possible with a supportive and strong adoptive family.

Additional Resources

  • Links to further studies on Romanian orphans and the impact of early attachments on future relationships.
  • Recommendation: Check linked videos for more insights into early attachment impacts.

Full transcript