Predictors of the decision to place developmentally disabled family members in residential care.

Abstract

Critical circumstances that predict parents' requests for residential placements for developmentally disabled persons were described. The survey sample included 154 families who placed their disabled family member and 377 families who provided care at home. Empirical findings suggest that among families who place, the disabled persons are more impaired and have more severe behavior problems than do disabled persons being cared for at home. Families who place are more likely to be larger, headed by a single parent, suffer greater disruption of family life, and receive fewer direct client services. The policy implications of these findings were discussed.