Architectural features and perceptions of community residences for people with mental retardation

Am J Ment Retard. 1996 Nov;101(3):292-314.

Abstract

Architects, group home administrators, people with mental retardation, family members of people with mental retardation, and college undergraduates substantially agreed regarding the rated homelikeness of slides of interiors of 20 community residences for people with mental retardation ranging from institutional to homey, mean r = .87. Clusters of physical features identified using an architectural inventory were found to be associated with homelikeness ratings. Adjectives applied to rooms with these features were determined using a Q-sort method. Two factors were identified from Q-sort correlations: Homelikeness-Institutionality and Spatial Organization as well as a third variable, privacy.

Publication types

  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Analysis of Variance
  • Cluster Analysis
  • Confidence Intervals
  • Consumer Behavior
  • Environment Design / standards*
  • Factor Analysis, Statistical
  • Family / psychology
  • Female
  • Health Facility Administrators / psychology
  • Humans
  • Institutionalization / standards*
  • Intellectual Disability / psychology*
  • Interior Design and Furnishings / classification
  • Interior Design and Furnishings / standards*
  • Male
  • Privacy
  • Quality of Life
  • Regression Analysis
  • Residential Facilities / standards*