CANADIAN ADOPTION RESEARCH
SUMMARIES
Chisholm, Kim. (2000)
"Attachment in Children Adopted from Romanian Orphanages."
In Crittenden, Patricia & Claussen, Angelika. Organization of
Attachment Relationships. England: Cambridge University Press pg 171-189.
CONTEXT
For more
information regarding attachment patterns of Romanian adoptees, see:
Chisholm,
Kim et al (1995). "Attachment Security and Indiscriminately Friendly
Behavior in Children Adopted from Romanian Orphanages." Development
and Psychopathology vol 7 p283-294
Chisholm,
Kim. (1998) "A Three Year Follow-up of Attachment and Indiscriminate
Friendliness in Children Adopted from Romanian Orphanages." Child
Development. Vol 69, Number 4, p1092-1106.
The study
on which this article is based addresses the development and organization
of attachment in two Romanian children adopted into Canada. The aim
of the study is to help determine the ability of institutionalized
children to form an attachment bond.
Jill
was adopted by her mother Pat, a single professional woman, when Jill
was three years and three months old. Jamie was adopted with his twin
brother Todd when they were fours years and five months old by Rose
and Eric. Due to the similarities between the early conditions experienced
by Jill and Jamie, Jamie was chosen to profile instead of Todd.
The information
regarding the children and their families was obtained from two extensive
interviews with the two adoptive mothers. The first interview was
conducted when Jill had been in her adoptive home for almost a year
and Jamie had been in his adoptive home for seven months. The second
interview was conducted approximately three years later.
The two
adoptive mothers discuss the conditions of the orphanages from which
their children were adopted, the condition of their child upon adoption,
problems initially experienced with their child, problems experienced
three years post adoption and the types of attachment relationships
that developed between the adoptee and their adoptive mothers.
Attachment
was measured using a separation-reunion procedure involving play interaction
between the mother and adoptee.
Institutional
Conditions for Jill and Jamie
Both
children were housed in poor conditions. Jill's adoptive mother reported
that children in the orphanage were dirty and covered with mosquito
bites. Jamie's adoptive parents reported that the orphanage was unsanitary
and unheated and scarring present on Jamie's back was suspected to
be a result of physical abuse.
Jill's
condition when first adopted at three years and three months old
Jill's
gross motor skills were delayed significantly and delays were present
in Jill's fine motor skills and language development.
Jill
suffered from anemia, intestinal parasites and chronic ear infections
that resulted in a 40% hearing loss in one ear.
Jill
was often silent, sullen, sucked her fingers and continually rocked.
She was easily frustrated and had tantrums. Jill also exhibited eating
difficulties.
Jill
was terrified of toilets, baths, loud noise, men and animals.
Jill's
progress twelve months post-adoption
In her
first ten months in Canada, Jill grew six inches and gained ten pounds.
Jill's
language skills were developing, however she was still delayed in
this area.
Jill
still experienced hearing loss, however physicians did not expect
this to be permanent.
Jill's
eating problems had disappeared. She still sucked her fingers and
she rocked only when nervous.
Jill
was still frightened of loud noises and dogs.
In contrast
to her earlier wariness of people, Jill was exhibiting indiscriminate
friendliness
and had a tendency to wander off.
Jill's
progress three years and three months post-adoption
Jill's
gross and fine motor skills showed significant improvement. Jill also
exhibited an increase in verbal skills. She was bubbly and energetic,
swam, rode a bicycle and was learning to skate.
Jill
continued to display fear of loud noises, although she no longer rocked,
she still sucked her fingers and used a stuff toy kitten as a security
object.
Jill
still displayed indiscriminate friendliness, which her mother attributed
to a recent diagnosis of Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder.
Assessment
of attachment
The author
classified Jill's relationship with her mother as secure. Like secure
children, there was a dramatic reduction in play when Pat left the
room. Jill also displayed concern for her mother's whereabouts after
her departure. However some behaviour strategies used by Jill do not
reflect any of the usual secure patterns. For example, Jill relied
on Pat to structure play interaction. Chisholm also notes that Jill's
play behaviour lacked the complexity and creativity expected from
secure children.
Jamie's
condition when first adopted at four years and five months old
Jamie
was delayed in all areas of development at the time of adoption.
Jamie
was below the fifth percentile for his age on all growth parameters.
Jamie
ate with a sense of urgency and drank incessantly.
Jamie
was passive, did not smile, rocked incessantly and sucked his thumb,
rarely cried and did not like to be held or cuddled.
Jamie
had a fear of animals, baths and heights.
Jamie
displayed indiscriminate friendly behaviour.
Jamie's
progress seven months post-adoption
Few of
Jamie's difficult behaviours had improved over time.
Jamie's
physical development had shown progress, however his fine motor skills
and language development were still delayed. Jamie had also developed
a stuttering problem.
Jamie
continued to have eating problems.
Jamie
continued to rock and suck his thumb.
Jamie
continued to display indiscriminately friendly behaviour.
Jamie
was also prone to tantrum behaviour. The use of "time-outs" to deal
with this behaviour proved ineffective.
Jamie's
progress two years and four months post-adoption
With
the help of an aide Jamie adjusted well in kindergarten, however was
experiencing difficulties at the grade one level.
Language
was still delayed, however, his stuttering problem showed improvement.
Jamie's
rocking and thumb sucking decreased, but he still displayed these
behaviours when upset.
Jamie
was still fearful of dogs and loud noises.
Jamie
continued to exhibit indiscriminately friendly behaviour as well as
tantrum behaviour as a result of frustration or being disciplined.
Jamie
did not play at a seven year old level which contributed to peer rejection.
Jamie
exhibited a need to destroy objects.
Assessment
of Attachment
Chisholm
reports that Jamie's behaviour is consistent with a defended strategy
in which he organizes his behaviour to maintain access to an attachment
figure while avoiding emotional involvement. Jamie inhibited any display
of negative emotion. Chisholm hypothesizes that displays of negative
emotion may result in rejection by the attachment figure.
Chisholm
notes that Rose's behaviour also contributes to Jamie's behaviour.
While interacting with Jamie, Rose was quiet and withdrawn. When Rose
attempted to initiate interaction, it did not appear as though she
expected Jamie to respond. Rose's gaze was often not directed toward
Jamie. Jamie and Rose were awkward in their interaction with one another
and there were very few times in a monitored play situation when they
were close enough to touch.
Why
the Difference?
Chisholm
notes several differences that may have contributed to the varying
attachment patterns exhibited by Jill and Jamie. These include:
It was
suspected that Jamie experienced physical abuse at the orphanage.
Jamie's
behavioural problems resulted in Rose spending a significant amount
of time disciplining Jamie which often proved ineffective. Chisholm
hypothesizes that this may have contributed to Rose withdrawing from
Jamie.
Rose
and Eric had also moved their family twice since Jamie was adopted.
Rose
felt she was unable to get respite care as Jamie's behaviour was too
difficult for others to manage.
Rose
was quiet and withdrawn during play interaction. Rose's attention
to Jamies's play was fleeting.
Rose
and Eric belonged to a support group of families who had adopted Romanian
children, however Rose did not find the group helpful and felt isolated
as a result. Rose had received little help or advice dealing with
Jamie's behaviour.
In contrast,
Jill was the only child in her household and lived in the same home
since adoption.
Pat had
received training in dealing with special needs children and may have
been more prepared for the types of problems Jill presented.
Pat had
a large support network of family and friends.
Pat delighted
in her daughter's behaviour and in their interaction together.
Chisholm
believes these case studies provide valuable information concerning
the attachment process and the resiliency displayed by previously
institutionalized children. The article states it is clear that even
children who have spent their first three to four years in institutions
are able to form attachment relationships.
Kim Chisholm
is affiliated with the Department of Psychology at Saint Francis Xavier
University in Antigonish, Nova Scotia.
Full
text available at:
University
of Alberta, (780) 492-3795
McGill
University, (514) 398-4732
Memorial
University, (709) 737-7424
University
of Ottawa, (613) 562-5210
University
of Saskatchewan, (306) 966-5996
Simon
Fraser University, (604) 291-3625
This
summary was prepared in 2003 by Inter-country Adoption Services (www.hrdc-drhc.gc.ca/hrib/sdd-dds/cfc/content/interAdopt.shtml)
at the federal Department of Social Development.
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