Family attitudes to deinstitutionalisation: Changes during and after reform years in a Scandinavian country

Abstract

Background Research shows that many families initially oppose relocation from institutions to community care, but also that a majority change their mind after resettlement. The paper addresses the question of whether this post‐resettlement preference for community services is only short‐term or likely to last.

Method Data were gathered at three points in time on people resettling from institutions in Norway: before resettlement (1989/90), shortly after resettlement (1994/95), and about ten years after resettlement (2001). Participants in 1989/90 and 1994/95 were identical (N = 222, aged 18–67 in 1989). The 2001 sample was different (N = 176, aged 20–67). Data gathering consisted of interviews with staff and a postal questionnaire to families.

Results In 1989/90, only 17% of families preferred community care, while in 1994/95 and 2001 respectively, 73% and 76% of families preferred community care.

Conclusions The preference for community care appears not to be short‐term. The question of empowerment/choice associated with the pattern of change from before to after resettlement is briefly discussed.

Keywords:

• Family attitude
• deinstitutionalisation
• Scandinavia
• Norway
• community living
• community services