Disruption to Attachment Bowlby’s Maternal Deprivation Hypothesis- This states that the mother-infant attachment cannot be broken in the first year of life without the child’s emotional & intellectual development being seriously and permanently harmed. Consequences could include: social immaturity, low IQ, inability to follow rules, Anaclitic depression, deprivation dwarfism, developmental retardation, even death.

What are the 2 types of DISRUPTION a child could experience? Separation – temporary loss of PCG Deprivation – permanent loss of PCG

Separation – short term loss Robertson & Robertson (53-73) – James & Joyce Lovely People! Made life better for children in hospital. Since the 1950s parents have been able to stay with children. Robertson & Robertson (53-73) – James & Joyce Lovely People! Made life better for children in hospital. Since the 1950s parents have been able to stay with children.

Robertson & Robertson 2 case studies of separated children. John 17 months old. In residential nursery for 9 days due to mum in hospital. Physical but not emotional needs met. 3 stages observed: Protest Despair Detachment AO2: All these studies have high ecological validity. They were naturalistic studies – real life events in real life settings. But, they are all case studies and so cannot be generalised to all children in similar situations. They may be unusual cases. Laura Age 2. Stayed for 8 days in hospital for a minor operation. Physical but not emotional needs met. Filmed as she swung between calm & distress begging to go home. PDD model observed as with John.

TASK: Research & gather information about the 3 stages of separation anxiety: Protest, Despair, Detachment. The PDD Model. Make notes on the 3 stages for your folder to report back next lesson. John Laura Make notes on the 3 stages for your folder to report back next lesson. John Laura

Studies on the long term effects of Maternal Deprivation 1.Spitz & Wolf (46) –  Observed 100 ‘normal’ children who were placed in an institution, become severely depressed within a few short months.  They called it Anaclitic Depression.  A third of the children in the study died within the first 2 years of institutionalisation. Spitz 1.Spitz & Wolf (46) –  Observed 100 ‘normal’ children who were placed in an institution, become severely depressed within a few short months.  They called it Anaclitic Depression.  A third of the children in the study died within the first 2 years of institutionalisation. Spitz

2. Bifulco (92) Professor Antonia Bifulco, Kingston University, London. Lifespan Psychology.  Studied 249 women who had lost mothers through separation or death before age 17. This group were:  Twice as likely to suffer depressive or anxiety disorders in adulthood.  She concluded maternal deprivation makes individuals psychologically vulnerable.  If triggered by stress, mental disorders may develop.  Conclusion: Effects of maternal deprivation seem to have permanent long term consequences. 2. Bifulco (92) Professor Antonia Bifulco, Kingston University, London. Lifespan Psychology.  Studied 249 women who had lost mothers through separation or death before age 17. This group were:  Twice as likely to suffer depressive or anxiety disorders in adulthood.  She concluded maternal deprivation makes individuals psychologically vulnerable.  If triggered by stress, mental disorders may develop.  Conclusion: Effects of maternal deprivation seem to have permanent long term consequences.

3.Skeels & Dye (39)  Found children suffering deprivation performed poorly on IQ tests.  So..... They placed children with low IQ into homes with mentally retarded adults.  When re-tested their IQs had increased. Conclusions: Effects of early Deprivation seem to be Reversible (in this case). Perhaps the adults provided the missing emotional Care. 3.Skeels & Dye (39)  Found children suffering deprivation performed poorly on IQ tests.  So..... They placed children with low IQ into homes with mentally retarded adults.  When re-tested their IQs had increased. Conclusions: Effects of early Deprivation seem to be Reversible (in this case). Perhaps the adults provided the missing emotional Care.

AO2  There are individual differences in how different children react to disrupted attachments.  Children who were initially securely attached seem to cope better with disruption to their attachment than children who are insecurely attached.

 In the 1950’s only 25% of hospitals allowed daily visitors. Today parents can stay overnight thanks to this research.

Results from research using case studies:  Cannot be GENERALISED to all cases.  They rely on accurate memories of what a child has experienced before the study – no one may know.  But – case studies are the only ETHICAL way of studying maternal deprivation. EXPLAIN WHY? Results from research using case studies:  Cannot be GENERALISED to all cases.  They rely on accurate memories of what a child has experienced before the study – no one may know.  But – case studies are the only ETHICAL way of studying maternal deprivation. EXPLAIN WHY?

The reason for maternal deprivation has to be taken into consideration. Loss through death has a different effect to loss through divorce. What might the difference be?

Conclusions – highlight.  Good substitute physical care is not enough.  If a child is separated from their primary caregiver, then the effects will not be negative SO LONG AS good substitute emotional care is provided.  But – children who have suffered deprivation may be more vulnerable in later life and not cope well with stress.  Effects of disruption to attachment can include: Withdrawal, low IQ, Anaclitic depression, anxiety, vulnerability to mental disorders, and don’t cope well with stress.

Sample Exam Questions 1. Outline 3 effects that disruption of attachment has on a child’s social & emotional development. (6 marks) 2. Outline research findings on disruption to attachment. (6 marks) 3. Outline 1 strength and 1 limitation of research on disruption to attachment. (4 marks) 4. Suggest 2 things a single mother should consider when arranging to put her 2 year old in residential care while she goes into hospital for 2 weeks (4 marks). 1. Outline 3 effects that disruption of attachment has on a child’s social & emotional development. (6 marks) 2. Outline research findings on disruption to attachment. (6 marks) 3. Outline 1 strength and 1 limitation of research on disruption to attachment. (4 marks) 4. Suggest 2 things a single mother should consider when arranging to put her 2 year old in residential care while she goes into hospital for 2 weeks (4 marks).