A cross-organizational longitudinal survey was undertaken of 12 state-operated residential facilities for the mentally retarded to gauge the extent to which technician-level work forces are affected by turnover and absenteeism. (Author/CL)

In a study involving 58 mentally retarded individuals in large central institutions, regional centers, or group homes, males were more responsive to social reinforcement than females in all living settings; wariness increased over time in the large central institutions, while decreasing in smaller settings; and individuals with greater…

The relationship of 11 social and status variables to two placement groups of severely handicapped children (home and community-based residential facility) was analyzed. Six variables (child's age, parental feelings about the suggestion to institutionalize, religiosity, mother's age, child's age at first words, and child's age at school entry)…

The literature review about deinstitutionalization and normalization of the retarded highlights findings about the relationship between successful programs and size, staff-to-resident ratio, cost, client characteristics, program type, community support, family involvement, and peer relationships. (Author/SB)

A national census of all state-licensed residential facilities for mentally retarded persons is summarized. Information on characteristics of facilities is presented along with demographic/functional characteristics of residents. The census verified the existence of an extensive variety of residential living alternatives available to mentally…

The effects of group discussion and decision-making on subsequent individual decisions of 48 mentally retarded adult residents of group homes were studied. (Author)

Data summaries from 100 years of formal surveys of population and administrative characteristics of public residential facilities for mentally retarded people in the areas of total population, average number of residents per institution, annual per capital cost of care, resident movement, and resident to staff ratios are presented to show trends.…

Two institutional treatment models--Intermediate Care Facilities and Foundation Care--were compared with 30 profoundly mentally retarded adults. The Foundation Care model (which emphasized habilitation through health, nurturance, stimulation, and play) demonstrated more resident-oriented management practices and used more tactile modalities and…

Analysis of staff turnover in 75 public and 161 nonpublic residential facilities for the mentally retarded revealed strikingly higher turnover rates for nonpublic facilities, although differences were influenced by factors not directly attributable to public or nonpublic status. Results suggested the importance of staff orientation and increased…

Results of surveys of resident care practices for mentally retarded persons in Somerset indicated that hostel units were resident-oriented in their care practices, whereas hospital units for severely and profoundly mentally retarded people were institution-oriented. (Author)

Current residential placement of 761 mentally retarded children in institutions during the late 1970s was described, and differences between children in institutions, in community settings, or with natural families were analyzed. Results indicated that the majority remained in institutions, and of those released, very few were placed in their…

Changes in adaptive competence over a one-year period of profoundly mentally retarded, physically disabled persons living in a moderately sized residential facility or in small community programs were examined. No evidence was found to indicate that habilitative growth was greater for residents in the small community programs. (Author/CL)

Research on differences between families who do or do not seek residential placement for their severely mentally retarded children was summarized and organized within McCubbin and Patterson's (1983) Double ABCX Family Crisis Model, which considers family factors (demands, resources, and perspectives) in three phases (adjustment, restructuring, and…

Results of a nationwide study of public mental retardation/developmental disabilities spending in the states during Fiscal Years 1977 through 1986 were analyzed and identified trends such as continuing growth in spending for community services, contraction of total spending for institutional operations, and predominance of support for intermediate…