Home vs hospital care of children with behavior disorders. A controlled investigation.

A controlled investigation was conducted to assess and compare the treatment outcomes of community and hospital care for children with behavior disorders. Findings showed that (1) community care was effective with regard to behavioral control, and (2) both treatments were comparable concerning educational achievement, parent role function, family adjustment, and parent satisfaction with treatment. It was noted that many severely disturbed children who are in dire socioeconomic predicaments can be maintained in the community with special care and intervention.