Follow-up study of family attitudes toward deinstitutionalization: three to seven years later.

The attitudes of 32 families who had their relative with mental retardation deinstitutionalized and living in the community for 3 to 7 years were examined. Preplacement data on these families indicated a high level of satisfaction with institutional services and strong opposition to community placement. Postplacement data revealed a significant change toward more positive family attitudes toward deinstitutionalization. However, families were still concerned about high staff turnover rates, inadequate community services, and future relocations.