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Do Theory of Mind and Executive Function Deficits Underlie the Adverse Outcomes Associated with Profound Early Deprivation?: Findings from the English and Romanian Adoptees Study

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Abstract

Theory of Mind (ToM) and Executive Function (EF) have been associated with autism and with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), and hence might play a role in similar syndromes found following profound early institutional deprivation. In order to examine this possibility the current study included a group of 165 Romanian adoptees, of whom 144 were adopted into the UK from deprived institutional settings before 43months of age, and a group of 52 within-UK adoptees, all adopted before 6months of age. Both groups were assessed at 6 and 11years. The Strange Stories task was used to assess ToM and the Stroop task was used to assess EF, both at age 11. The Romanian adoptees displayed deficits in both ToM and EF compared with the within-UK adoptee group. The degree of deficit was greater for children who had experienced more than 6months of institutional deprivation. Deficits in both domains (ToM and EF) were associated with each of the three apparently deprivation-specific problems, namely quasi-autism, disinhibited attachment and inattention/overactivity. Statistical analyses indicated a mediating role for both ToM and EF with respect to quasi-autism; possibly a partial mediating role for EF with respect to inattention/overactivity; and probably no mediating role for either ToM or EF in the case of disinhibited attachment. In conclusion, there is evidence for a possible mediating role for ToM and EF in the development of some apparently deprivation-specific difficulties in institution-reared Romanian adoptees, but neither accounts for the overall pattern of deprivation-related difficulties.

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Acknowledgements

We are most grateful to all the families who have generously given their time for participating in this study, and whose comments and suggestions have been very helpful in relation to the interpretation of findings. The data collection phase of the study was supported by grants from the Helmut Horten Foundation and the UK Department of Health. Ongoing support is provided by grants from the Department of Health, the Nuffield Foundation and the Jacobs Foundation. We are glad to express our thanks to our external Advisory Group, whose input has been invaluable. The views expressed in this article are ours and do not necessarily represent those of the funders.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. MRC Social, Genetic and Developmental Psychiatry Centre, Institute of Psychiatry, King’s College, London, UK

    Emma Colvert, Michael Rutter, Jana Kreppner, Celia Beckett, Jenny Castle, Christine Groothues, Amanda Hawkins, Suzanne Stevens & Edmund J. S. Sonuga-Barke

  2. Developmental Brain-Behaviour Unit, School of Psychology, University of Southampton, Southampton, UK

    Suzanne Stevens & Edmund J. S. Sonuga-Barke

  3. Child Study Center, New York University, New York, USA

    Edmund J. S. Sonuga-Barke

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  1. Emma Colvert
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  2. Michael Rutter
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  3. Jana Kreppner
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  4. Celia Beckett
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  9. Edmund J. S. Sonuga-Barke
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Correspondence to Emma Colvert.

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Colvert, E., Rutter, M., Kreppner, J. et al. Do Theory of Mind and Executive Function Deficits Underlie the Adverse Outcomes Associated with Profound Early Deprivation?: Findings from the English and Romanian Adoptees Study. J Abnorm Child Psychol 36, 1057–1068 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10802-008-9232-x

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