Ep. Mulvey et M. Pieffer, A COMPARISON OF PERCEPTIONS REGARDING THE PROCESS OF INSTITUTIONAL PLACEMENT, Journal of mental health administration, 20(3), 1993, pp. 254-263
The use of institutional placement in juvenile justice, mental health,
and child welfare continues to be widespread Yet there is little info
rmation about the decision-making processes connected with the choice
of this alternative for adolescents. Focus groups were held with admin
istrators, staff, and youth in a variety of institutional placements.
The discussions of these groups were qualitatively analyzed for conten
t regarding the factors that motivated reliance on placement in instit
utional care and the effects of policies to regulate this practice. Ag
reement about the diversity of adolescents in institutions, the diffic
ulties of (but necessity for) preventive interventions with families,
and possible causes for reliance on institutional care emerged Differe
nces about the risks and benefits of institutional placement were note
d