Time-Use Patterns of Young Children Institutionalized in Eastern Europe

Abstract

This study describes time-use patterns of children institutionalized in an Eastern European orphanage and examines differences in time-use between institutionalized children and those attending child care in the United States. Thirty-two children between the ages of 8 and 34 months participated. Sixteen institutionalized children and 16 typical, family-reared children attending child care were matched approximately for age and gender. Inter-rater reliability of the observers' time-use observations was established at 92% agreement (range, 81% to 98%). Results indicated children living in the institution spent significantly less time with adults, engaged in significantly different activities, and spent less time in adult-led activities compared to the childcare group (χ2 = 9.94, p < .01; χ2 = 23.51, p ≥ .001; and χ2 = 16.45, p < .001, respectively). Where the children spent time and their observable affect did not differ significantly between groups (χ2 = .64, ns; and χ2 = .68, ns, respectively). Differences between the groups' occupations and engagement with others highlight factors that may contribute to developmental delays in institutionalized children.