Community Acceptance of Homes for Mentally Retarded People.

The purpose of this study is to determine some of the factors which affect a community's response to the proposed establishment within its boundaries of a home for six mentally retarded individuals. Two rural communities in northern Michigan were studied. In each community, a small group home for six mentally retarded people had been planned. One of the communities accepted the home and the residents with a great deal of enthusiasm; the other opposed the home so strongly that the home was moved to a different site about two miles away. The communities are located in the same rural county, and seem to have a great deal of similarity. Individuals living within a thous and feet circle of the proposed group home sites were interviewed, to determine differences, if any, between residents of the two communities, demographically, in attitudes toward the community, attitudes toward h and icapped individuals, or differences in the manner in which the coming of the home was presented. Individuals identified by the community as persons who were influential in the development of community opinion regarding the group home were also interviewed. Several factors were found significant. The community which accepted the group home was significantly more diverse, especially in the area of home values. Median time lived in the community was significantly longer in the community which accepted than for the community which rejected the group home. Finally, leaders in the accepting community were unanimously favorable toward its coming; leaders in the rejecting community were neutral or opposed to the coming of the group home. A major factor in the difference in attitude seems to have been a difference in perception of the potential for employment of local residents which the group home would bring. On the basis of these observations, the study attempts to provide some rational basis for the selection of communities in which group homes for mentally retarded people are to be placed.PhDMental healthUniversity of Michiganhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/158527/1/8125203.pd