HOUGH, SIGMUND; PHD

                         BOSTON UNIVERSITY, 1987

                         PSYCHOLOGY, CLINICAL (0622)
 

                         The community adjustment of mentally retarded people is a process involving interaction between the
                         environment and the individual. The person brings certain skills and characteristics to the process, the
                         environment exerts influences on individual behavior, and both person and environment change as a
                         result. Relatively little is understood regarding friendships, family ties, human service ties and patterns of
                         relationships for the mentally retarded. This study analyzed the social networks and adaptive behavior of
                         mildly mentally retarded adults in relation to successful community transition. Twenty adult clients in
                         supportive living program apartments and twenty adult clients in community residences were
                         interviewed. The total investigation was a collaborative effort involving three mental retardation agencies
                         in New York and Massachusetts. Social network variables included non-utilized support network size,
                         utilized support network size, support satisfaction, support need, non-utilized conflicted network size,
                         and utilized conflicted network size. Information was collected on the relationship link, age, sex, and
                         ethnicity of each member of the individual's social network. For comparison, the client's case manager
                         was asked to complete a modified informant version of the social network interview. Level of adaptive
                         behavior was assessed using the Vineland Adaptive Behavior Scale Revised-Interview Edition-Survey
                         Form. In addition, clients were rated on a Dimension of Successful Community Transition Scale. The
                         results of this study found that mentally retarded adults tend to be accurate reporters of their own social
                         behavior. While structural living arrangement appears to have little influence on social network variables,
                         several behavior skills and specific network variables did have an impact on successful community
                         transition. In particular, the importance and influence of peers within the social network is highlighted.

Social Systems Simulation Group P.O. Box 6904 San Diego, CA  92166-0904 Roland Werner, Principal Phone/FAX  (619) 660-1603