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The effects of institutionalisation on emotional development Key Word: Disinhibited attachment –
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The effects of institutionalisation on emotional development Key Word: Disinhibited attachment – a behaviour pattern shown by children who have been raised in institutions. Key features include attention seeking behaviour towards all adults, even strangers, a lack of fear of strangers, making inappropriate physical contact with adults and a lack of checking back to the parents in times of stress
Starter • Consider http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/4649383.stm • Do you think that this is common of all children who are institutionalised? • What about young children who spend a lot of time in juvenile jail or young offenders institutions?
Orphanages in Romania Conditions in Romanian orphanages were very poor and children were often neglected
Rutter et al. 2007 • Sample: Romanian orphans adopted in the UK before the age of 4. Many were severely malnourished. • Control Group: UK-born adoptees who were placed with families before 6 months • IV: Age at adoption (<6mths, 6mths – 24mths, 2-4 years) • DV: inhibited/disinhibited attachment
Procedure • Semi-structured interviews of both child and parents • Observation to see if child makes inappropriate physical contact • Longitudinal study: children followed up at ages 4, 6 and 11
Findings • Disinhibited attachment: • Attention seeking bahaviour towards all adults • Lack of fear of strangers • Inappropriate physical contact • Lack of checking back to the parent in stressful situations
Methodological Issues • Qualitative data • Longitudinal Research • The extent of privation from orphanage? • Ethics
Chisholm (2000) – additional info • Case study of two adopted children from Romania • Ainsworth’s ‘strange situation scenario’ • The children have formed different attachment patterns within the same family • Suggests individual differences
Plenary • Look at the pictures of the Romanian child and the UK child. • Fill in the blanks in the thought bubbles