Previous studies have found long lasting cognitive delays among children with early childcare experience, especially institutionalised experience. However, little is known about institutions’ effect in late childhood.

Our goal is to identify the characteristics of cognitive functions in connection to attachment related anxiety among adopted children and children living in institutional care.

The participants’ (N=68, Mage=14.20, 29 boys and 39 girls) cognitive functions were measured with the following tests: Rey15 Memory Task, Knock And Tap Task, Simon Says Test, Verbal Fluency Task, D-KEFS 20 Questions Test. Participants completed two questionnaires: the Family Affluence Scale and the Experiences In Close Relationships Revised Scale. The results from the adopted children (N=19) and children living in institutional care (N=18) were compared to the matched control group: children living with their biological parents (N=31).

Children living in institutional care did not differ significantly from their (SES-based) matched controls. Children adopted after the age of 2 years (N=7, M =56,57month) and the low SES control group (N=14) differed from the high SES control group on tests of attention (Verbal Fluency Task, Mhigh.c.=212.50, Mad.aft.2=193.50, U=59.50, z=-2.62, p=0.009) and verbal memory (Rey15, Mhigh.c.=17.94, Mad.aft.2=9.18, U=35.00, z=-2.79, p=0.005). Children adopted before the age of 2 years differed from the high SES control as well, in inhibition (Simon Says Test, Mhigh.c.=12.26, Mad.bef.2=18.88, U=55.55, z=-2.23, p=0.026).

Our findings suggest that only in the early years is child protection experience associated with long-lasting cognitive delays and attachment related anxiety.

No significant relationships.