New research shows lifelong impact for children in institutions

22 February 12

Two recent studies into childhood development have hit the headlines this week, adding to the growing body of evidence that our early childhood experiences determine our chances of success in life.

A study published last week has shown that ‘adverse childhood experiences’ can affect the development of a part of the brain that controls our emotions. Martin Teicher of Harvard University scanned the brains of almost 200 people and found that three important areas of the hippocampus were reduced by up to 6.5% in adults who experienced early stress - such as maltreatment or abuse – in their early years. Researchers also determined that these early experiences were a major risk factor for mood, anxiety, substance abuse and personality disorders in adulthood.

Meanwhile, in a study of children in Romanian institutions, Charles Nelson of Harvard Medical School has found that children who spent their early years in an institution behaved abnormally in social interactions with other children, even years after leaving the institution. The study focussed on 136 children who had spent their first two years of life in Romanian institutions and compared the development of those who remained in the system with those who were placed with families. At age eight, the effects of institutionalisation were still evident in those children who were placed with families.

Presenting his findings last week at the annual meeting of the American Association for the Advancement of Science, Nelson said, “Institutional care should be considered the last resort and effort should be made to place a child as soon as possible.”

We know that institutions are most damaging for children in early childhood when the care they receive and their social interactions have an enormous influence on how their brains develop. However, Nelson’s research showed that the effects of institutionalisation were reversed when children were removed from institutions and placed in families before age two.

We have made family-based care and closing institutions for babies and young children a priority for our work. Removing children from institutions and developing and supporting services that support vulnerable new families not only gives children the best chance of overcoming the damaging effects of institutionalisation, but also closes one of the main entry points into the institutional system, where many children spend  the rest of their childhood.  We have seen first hand the damage that a childhood spent in an institution can cause.

The results of both these studies add to the overwhelming body of evidence that institutions damage children and impact on them even after they leave. For many, the impact can last a life time.

Read more about what we are doing to make sure all children grow up with the love of a family or donate now to support our work.