Social-environmental factors as predictors of adjustment of deinstitutionalized mentally retarded adults

Mentally retarded adults (N = 338) placed from five state institutions were studied 2 to 4 years, after they were placed in either foster family care or community residences. Factors of the social environment that were most predictive of individual adjustment were determined. Adjustment was defined as behavior in five areas of functioning: self-care, behavior control, community-living skills, use of community resources, and social support. Multiple regression analysis revealed that social environmental factors and other characteristics of community settings played an important role in individuals' adjustment. Important features of the social environment were similar across both settings.