Evaluation of a family care program for released mental patients.

The objectives and operation of a large family care program are described briefly. Following a review of prior research, an axiomatic theory is formulated to account for the effects of program components on the outcome of placement in family care boarding homes. It is pointed out that confirmation of one hypothesis of such a theory may confirm all the postulates and hypotheses constituting the theory. Therefore considerable research effort can be conserved by testing only that hypothesis. Multivariate analysis of attribute data confirms the hypothesis that the less extensive the planning for patients' release and the higher the level of social performance demanded of the patients, the more likely will be their return to the hospital. Comparative and other data are presented to demonstrate the relative effectiveness of the program. Some problems and compensating advantages of continuous program evaluation are discussed.