Abstract
Persons with mental retardation rely on residential service providers for information, services and support. The attitudes of these professionals can strongly impact the individual's potential for development and independence, enhancing or hindering their quality of life. The purpose of this study was to assess the attitudes of Los Angeles County group home administrators toward persons with mental retardation and determine if their attitudes were related to factors such as knowledge and direct contact. Attitudes define perceptions and thoughts, and exert a strong directional influence on how individuals behave. Direct contact and knowledge about disabilities are known to have a positive influence on the attitudes of students, as well as professionals in law enforcement and education. This study considers the influence these variables have on group home administrators. The Knowledge About Mental Retardation (KAMR) and a demographic questionnaire were given to 214 administrators. The study utilized descriptive statistics to assess the administrators' attitudes and knowledge levels. Independent t-tests and analysis of variances were computed to determine if differences existed in attitudes based on a number of demographic variables. The administrators held slightly unfavorable attitudes and were not knowledgeable about the population. Knowledge, education level, and intensity of contact had a positive influence on attitudes. Age, gender, type of administrator, and frequency of contact had no impact. Primary population served influenced attitude when interrelated with knowledge and education level. The attitudes of Los Angeles County group home administrators are slightly unfavorable. Their attitudes are influenced by knowledge, education and the intensity of direct contact. Existing administrators should learn more about mental retardation and spend quality time interacting with the population. This research should be expanded to determine if significant differences exit between attitudes, and the type and quality of services provided. It should also be repeated after intervention techniques are implemented to verify that intervention efforts result in a positive change in attitudes.