Interactions between group homes and neighbors: Neighbor preferences

Abstract

Group homes often are in conflict with their neighbors. Consequently, group home administrators tend to minimize contact between group homes and neighbors to reduce conflict. This study examined whether information about group homes and contact between homes and neighbors are related to neighbor problems as well as the preferences of potential neighbors about ways in which to become informed and involved with a group home if one were built in their neighborhood. Neighbors who interacted with residents and staff identified problems with group homes but showed fewer concerns about and had positive attitudes toward group homes generally. Potential neighbors wanted information about group homes entering their neighborhood, and preferred types of contact were associated with positive attitudes toward group homes. Group home administrators should consider neighbors as potential allies to help residents integrate into the community rather than as sources of conflict that must be avoided.

Residential facilities as the new scenario of long-term psychiatric care

“…It is difficult to establish, however, to what extent these figures can be generalized to other areas of the same countries and therefore how they reflect the national average. Indeed, another report, focusing on the German state of SaxonyAnhalt and carried out with the same instrument (European Service Mapping Schedule), has found a much higher rate of residential beds, that is 2.4 places per 10 000 in medium stay residential facilities and an additional 24 In conclusion, although it may prove to be difficult to establish precise standards of residential facility provision, since 'housing needs assessments crucially depend on the range and quality of other local services and cannot be separated from the functioning and dynamics of the total service ''system'' ' [9 . .…”

“…Interestingly, while in the past there have been a number of studies exploring the relationships between residential facilities and the local neighbourhood [23,24], in recent years no studies have investigated this area, which is important in order to foster residents' integration and avoid the creation of self-segregating institutions.…”

People with intellectual disability as neighbours: Towards understanding the mundane aspects of social integration

“…While often not living in the neighbourhood itself, staff may function as mediator in interactions between the people with ID they care for and others in society at large (Cook, 1998;Todd, 2000). Moreover, by their mere presence, they may be perceived as part of the home and perhaps expected to engage in neighbouring.…”

“…Cook, 1998) and recognize when formality, support or intervention is needed in order to smooth conflicts or help those who are struggling or uncomfortable in interactions.…”

“…However, attempts to let members of special groups, such as people with intellectual or developmental disabilities, move from relatively isolated and large institutions into society and to encourage them to establish normal relationships with neighbours (often under headings such as participation, inclusion or social integration 1 ) may pose challenges to successful neighbouring, which are as yet insufficiently examined. For example, neighbours may be unsure about possibilities of approaching people with intellectual disabilities (ID) as individual and accountable neighbours, especially when living in small but still clearly recognizable care facilities with the support of staff, and appear as a separate group from other neighbours living in private, single-family houses (Cook, 1998;Overkamp, 2002).…”