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.
attachment; institutionalized child; child-child interaction
