Families of adults with mental retardation: stress levels and need for services.

The study described in this article sought to determine whether stress experienced by families of adults with mental retardation was a function of characteristics of caregivers or care recipients, support service needs, and needs for personal care and supervision. Data from interviews with 105 families indicated that the marital status of the caregiver; the level of retardation, frequency of maladaptive behaviors, and health status of the adult family member with mental retardation; and the number and level of services needed were factors in the stress experienced by families. This examination of how perceived stress and needs for services interact provides information essential to developing and funding effective supports to families caring for adults with mental retardation and other developmental disorders.