Continuity or Discontinuity of Family Involvement Following Residential Transitions of Adults Who Have Mental Retardation

Family involvement with adults who have mental retardation following a residential transition to a nonparental living situation was examined. We found that aging mothers were highly involved in the relocation process and had frequent contact and continued emotional involvement with their adult child. Mothers became increasingly satisfied with their level of contact with their child over time, less worried about the future, and had decreasing levels of direct caregiving and contact with residential staff. Adult siblings reported improved sibling relationships over time. Siblings whose brother or sister moved out of the parental home increased their shared activities and felt less pessimistic about the future. Findings address a critical gap in knowledge about the life course roles of families of persons with mental retardation.