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Biomedical subjects

M Rutter

Publications and source records attributed to M Rutter.

At least 235 records · Page 13Linked to original sources
PubMed1980

The long-term effects of early experience.

Empirical research findings are reviewed with respect to the long-term effects of early experiences on intellectual and social development. Particular attention is focused on the question of whether adverse experiences in infancy can lead to enduring impairment, even when later experiences are positive and beneficial. It is concluded that, although there are continuities between infancy and maturity, the residual effects of early experiences on adult behaviour tend to be quite slight, both because of the maturational changes that take place during middle and later childhood and because of the effects of beneficial and adverse experiences during all the years after infancy. The long-term effects of early deprivation depend heavily on whether or not the deprivation continues, but there is a suggestion that, in some circumstances, infantile experiences may have some persisting effects in spite of later environmental change. However, there is a lack of critical data to test this hypothesis.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1980

Raised lead levels and impaired cognitive/behavioural functioning: a review of the evidence.

Research findings on the effects of raised lead levels on children's cognitive and behavioural functioning are reviewed. The results are considered separately with respect to clinic-type studies of children with high lead levels, studies of mentally retarded or behaviourally deviant children, chelation studies, smelter studies, and general population studies of dental lead. It is concluded that, although the findings are somewhat contradictory, the evidence suggests that persistently raised blood levels in the range above 40 microgram/100 ml may cause slight cognitive impairment (a reduction of one to five points on average) and less certainly may increase the risk of behavioural difficulties. There are pointers that there may also be psychological risks with lead levels below 40 microgram/100 ml, but the evidence on this point is inconclusive so far. Parallels are drawn with studies of other brain traumata and some suggestions are made with respect to both practical implications and the needs for further research.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1979

Families of autistic and dysphasic children. I. Family life and interaction patterns.

Patterns of parent-child interaction and family functioning were systematically examined in well-matched groups of 15 autistic and 14 dysphasic children. The measures used included the Douglas 24-hour standard day analysis, the Brown and Rutter interview measure of positive interaction, the Ittleson scales (based on a four- to six-hour period of home observation, specially developed time-sampled measures of observed mother-child interaction at home), and the Eysenck Personality Inventory. The findings from all measures agreed in showing that family life and interaction patterns were closely similar in the two groups. The results were compared with those of previous investigations; we concluded that autism is most unlikely to be due to abnormal psychogenic influences in the family.

Activities of Daily Living↗
PubMed1979

Separation experiences: a new look at an old topic.

Research findings on the effects of separation are reviewed. Children of working mothers develop as well as those whose mothers remain at home. The effects of day care for very young children depend very much on the quality of care provided. Admission to hospital is stressful for preschool children through separation from the family, lack of opportunity to form new attachments, a strange environment, and disturbed parent-child relationships on return home; recurrent hospital admissions may have long-term sequelae, especially in children under chronic stress. An institutional upbringing need not impair cognitive development, but multiple rotating caretakers are likely to interfere with social development. Broken homes are associated with psychiatric disorder only in so far as they reflect family discord and disharmony. Bereavement is most likely to lead to prolonged grief reactions in older children and adolescents. Forced separations of mother and infant in the neonatal period may damage parent-child relationships. Many mechanisms are involved in these different experiences, and in only a few is the separation itself the main stress.

Anxiety, Separation↗
PubMed1979

Maternal deprivation, 1972-1978: new findings, new concepts, new approaches.

Research since 1972 in the field of "maternal deprivation" is critically reviewed. The results are used to reassess briefly the formulations proposed in 1972 and to discuss more fully the meaning and practical implications of fresh findings on new or recently revived topics. These include the development of social relationships and the process of bonding, critical periods of development, the links between childhood experiences and parenting behavior, influences on parenting, and the possible reasons why so many children do not succumb to deprivation or disadvantage.

Animals↗
PubMed1978

Hyperkinetic disorder in psychiatric clinic attenders.

Sixty-eight boys (age-range five to 11 years), referred to a child psychiatric clinic, were studied in order to determine the validity of a broadly-based concept of hyperkinetic syndrome, as generally employed in the USA. Hyperactivity was measured on the Conners' Teacher Questionnaire, the Conners' Parent Questionnaire and by systematic time-sampled observations of each child's behaviour during psychological testing. There were low and statistically insignificant correlations between these different measures of hyperkinesis. On the other hand, overactivity correlated highly with conduct disturbance. Psychiatrically abnormal children with and without hyperkinesis were compared on cognitive functioning, perinatal history, neurological examination, congenital anomalies and psycho-social circumstances. Few differences were found, and it was concluded that there was no evidence for the validity of a broad concept of hyperkinetic syndrome. Nevertheless, a small number of children were found who were overactive in all situations studied. These children had a variety of clinical diagnoses but differed significantly from their peers--matched for age, IQ and diagnosis--with respect to neurological anomalies, erratic responses on the Matching Familiar Figures Test, and early onset of hyperkinesis. It is suggested that this less common clinical picture of hyperkinesis may have some validity, but it remains uncertain whether it constitutes a distinct syndrome or rather a constitutional risk factor.

Attention↗
PubMed1977

Compliance and resistance in autistic children.

The study was designed to explore factors related to negativism in autistic children, where negativism was defined as the consistent avoidance of a correct response in a multiple choice discrimination task. A design employed in an earlier study of autistic children (Cowan, Hodinott, & Wright, 1965) was modified to allow a more detailed examination of patterning of the child's responses. A positive relationship was found between use of spoken language and successful performance of the task. However, no child was negativistic. Of the 27 children tested, 18 had a near perfect performance and 9 scored at chance level. A subsequent exact replication of the Cowan et al. method still failed to produce any negativism. A further study using a more difficult discrimination task produced a higher rate of errors but still no negativism. Possible reasons for the failure to replicate are discussed.

Adolescent↗