Compatibility of housemates with mental retardation

We evaluated the relevance of Reiss's (2000) empirically derived system of basic motives and values for understanding the incompatibility of housemates in publicly funded residential programs for people with mental retardation. The compatible group consisted of 57 dyads who had lived without significant conflict in the same residential unit; the incompatible group consisted of 36 dyads who were separated by caregivers because of frequent conflict and complaint. As predicted, dissimilarity of basic motives and values was associated with housemate incompatibility. Also, incompatible housemates showed high motivation for vengeance and for acceptance and low tolerance for anxiety, pain, and frustration. The results suggested a potentially promising new method of studying the self-determination of housemates.