Family attitudes to deinstitutionalisation: changes during and after reform years in a Scandinavian country

Research shows that many families initially oppose relocation from institutions to community care, but also that a majority change their mind after resettlement. The paper addresses the question of whether this post-resettlement preference for community services is only short-term or likely to last. METHOD; Data were gathered at three points in time on people resettling from institutions in Norway: before resettlement (1989/90), shortly after resettlement (1994/95), and about ten years after resettlement (2001). Participants in 1989/90 and 1994/95 were identical (N = 222, aged 18-67 in 1989). The 2001 sample was different (N = 176, aged 20-67). Data gathering consisted of interviews with staff and a postal questionnaire to families.

In 1989/90, only 17% of families preferred community care, while in 1994/95 and 2001 respectively, 73% and 76% of families preferred community care.

The preference for community care appears not to be short-term. The question of empowerment/choice associated with the pattern of change from before to after resettlement is briefly discussed.