The influence of familial econodemographic status, characteristics of the retarded child, and placement situation on parental attitudes toward mental retardation

The results of the two-way ANOVA indicated that there was a highly statistically significant (.0001) difference in attitudes between parents of retarded children living in the home and parents of retarded children living in an institution. Parents with retarded children at home displayed more positive attitudes toward mental retardation. No significant interaction between placement of the child and gender of the parent was found. The following econodemographic variables related to the family were correlated to family attitude score for both groups of parents: age of the father, educational level of the father, age of the mother, educational level of the mother, total family income, and number of other children living at home. It was found that only father's educational level was a relatively weak predictor of family attitude score for the home group. Child-related variables correlated with family attitude score included age, I.Q., and gender. No significant relationships were found for either group of parents.

The following suggestions were advanced for future research efforts. First, a longitudinal study of parents with retarded infants was proposed to determine the direction of the relationship between attitude and child placement. The second recommended area for research was the institutional career of the retarded child and family attitude development. Thirdly, it was suggested that other components of the conceptual model used in the study be investigated. A fourth suggestion was related to the influence of the environment, particularly the spatial needs of retarded children, on attitude development. The final suggestion for future research was in the area of instrumentation to assess family attitudes.

Implications of the study discussed included the need for further research in the processes leading to attitude development. It was suggested that parental attitudes are an important variable to be considered in institutional avoidance and deinstitutionalization programs. Finally, it was suggested that the relative success of deinstitutionalization, rather than its popularity, be considered. From this suggested framework, deinstitutionalization was viewed more as a process than a goal.