Environmental characteristics of residential facilities for mentally retarded persons in the United States.

This study was designed to assess environmental characteristics and other facility, resident, and staff characteristics in a national sample of 236 public and community residential facilities stratified by size and geographic location. In a comparison of facilities in five size categories, small community facilities had the most positive treatment environments, as measured by the scale Characteristics of the Treatment Environment, more home-like environments, lower costs, more satisfied staff members, more able residents, and fewer nonambulatory residents. In a stepwise regression analysis, size remained significant as a predictor of positive treatment environments when controlling for staff job satisfaction and resident ability.