Maladaptive behavior of mentally retarded individuals in residential facilities.

Results of a national interview study of 2,271 mentally retarded residents in 236 public and community residential facilities were reported. Maladaptive behavior was more prevalent among residents of public residential facilities, particularly among new admissions and readmissions, but the frequency at which residents performed various types of maladaptive behavior and the responses elicited from direct-care staff members were similar in public and community facilities. Implications for the deinstitutionalization process were discussed.