Predictors of parent involvement with institutionalized retarded children.

A multivariate discriminant function analysis was used to explore 22 biographical and psychological variables which were thought to have some possible bearing on frequency of family visits to the institution and attendance at parent conferences. The analysis identified 6 of the variables as significant predictors, although the factors related to the 2 measures of parental involvement were not identical. The 6 major predictors of lack of involvement were: presence of physical anomalies, high disparity between CA and social maturity, greater distance from the institution, low occupational level of the father, maintenance payments not being required, and the parent having custody being divorced and remarried.