Abstract

ALEXANDRE, Diuvani Tomazoni  and  VIEIRA, Mauro Luís. Attachment relationships among institutionalized children living in a shelter situation. Psicol. estud. [online]. 2004, vol.9, n.2, pp. 207-217. ISSN 1413-7372.  http://dx.doi.org/10.1590/S1413-73722004000200007.

The present study had as propose to identify the attachment relationships among institutionalized infants. Fourteen infants, living in a shelter, of both sexes, aged between 3 and 9 years old, took part in this study. For the recording of the behaviors, the observational technique known as "focal-subject" was used. The main results permit us to identify: a) eldest brothers demonstrate responsive affect and care solicitations to the youngest brothers; it was registered significant interaction among older girls and younger boys; b) the play social showed to be a favorable situation for the settlement of the affective interactions; c) family image appears represented by the mother figure. Therefore, it is concluded that, when the absence of a significant adult occurs, children living in a shelter situation can development attachment relationships among themselves and that a social support network represents an important aspect in the resilience of these children.

Keywords : attachment; institutionalized child; child-child interaction.