Characteristics of mentally-impaired aged profiting from individualized treatment

This study investigated subjects' characteristics which related to improvements from individualized treatment of mentally impaired aged. Project variables (158) were reduced to 12 Q-type factors. The excess disability (ED) criteria were partialled into experimental/control influences (EDe/c) and residual ED variance. Statistical regressions were run on the EDe/c criteria vs. age and the 12 Q-factors. Age significantly predicted post-treatment ED functioning in both conditions. Younger subjects (ages 65-82) profited most in both groups. After the statistical removal of age in the regression, Factor Q-3 still retained a significant relationship to EDe/c for the experimentals. The correlations indicate the importance of social capabilities, irrespective of age level, with regard to improvements due to ED treatments. For the control subjects, Q-12 and Q-5 showed significant independent relationships to the criteria. Subjects' competence appeared most important for EDe/c gains made without treatment.