Substitute decision-making and personal control: implications for self-determination.
Levels of personal control exercised by 76 adults with mental retardation were contrasted by substitute decision-making status. Individuals with no guardian or conservator exercised more personal control than did those with a conservator, who exerted more personal control than did participants with a guardian. Similar group differences in self-determination competencies were also observed. When self-determination competencies were controlled statistically, significant group differences in exercise of personal control remained. Restrictive substitute decision-making status, inappropriate to current competencies, may have constrained individuals' levels of personal control. Reviewing substitute decision-making status on a regular basis and limiting or removing guardianship/conservatorship when it is not appropriate, may enhance personal control.
Stancliffe
R J
RJ
Institute on Community Integration, Research and Training Center on Community Living, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis 55455, USA. rogers@localnet.com.au
Abery
B H
BH
Springborg
H
H
Elkin
S
S
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003657:Decision Making; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008607:Intellectual Disability / Q000523:psychology* / Q000534:rehabilitation; D007389:Internal-External Control; D007872:Legal Guardians; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D016743:Mental Competency; D008875:Middle Aged; D011640:Public Policy