Sixty-three parents of children with severe handicaps who were placed out of the home were interviewed regarding why they did not place their child sooner. Factor analysis indicated three main factors that delayed placement: guilt feelings, social support, and family relationships. (Author/JDD)

Interviews were conducted with 63 parents of severely handicapped children recently placed out of the home. Results indicated that strong decision making influences were perceived parental stress, child's level of functioning, and child behavior problems, with lack of appropriate supportive services being a moderate influence. (Author/JDD)

This paper examines factors associated with meaningful family involvement in program planning for community residential services for individuals with mental retardation. It is argued that personnel in placement settings are often ambivalent about more family involvement. Guidelines for involving families at every stage both before and after…

Parents of 84 severely retarded children, ages 2-8, were interviewed over a 2-year period, and their thoughts and actions regarding out-of-home placement for their child were assessed. Results indicate linear trends in placement tendency. From initial consideration of placement, it may be one to two years until the act of placement is completed.…

Interviewed 62 families that had recently placed their mentally retarded children about their experiences. Placements generally followed gradual build-up of child-related stress. Parents reported high satisfaction with placement and positive family adaptation following placement. Family experiences generally were not related to child's age, level…

Effects of child characteristics and home environment on caregivers' behavioral intentions regarding placement were examined longitudinally for 100 families of children with severe mental retardation. Prior behavioral intentions significantly predicted actual placement independent of other factors. Among child characteristics, only normative…

Behavioral intentions of 100 families regarding out-of-home placement for their child or early adolescent with severe handicaps were tracked 4 times over 6 years with the Placement Tendency Index, to assess the dynamics of family behavioral change. The index had long-term modest predictive capacity but increased predictive utility over shorter…