The purpose of this study was to assess the factors that influence attitudes of people neighbouring to residential care facilities that host chronic psychiatric patients formerly hospitalized in a psychiatric hospital, 2 years after their deinstitutionalization.

One member of at least 30 households neighbouring to 8 community-based psychiatric facilities (hostels and sheltered apartments) was interviewed by a group of specially trained social workers. The structured interview used was compiled specifically for the needs of this study.

Less than 25% of our sample had adequate knowledge of the term ‘deinstitutionalization’ and in particular people with higher education and that have been visited by a psychiatric resident. Nevertheless, their attitudes were in general positive. In a regression analysis, attitude towards deinstitutionalization was found to be positively correlated with having visited a psychiatric facility, years of education, and living near 4 out of the 8 psychiatric hostels [R-squared=0.20]. Female neighbours were generally more favourable, but this effect was only marginally significant. Attitude towards the psychiatric patient was best predicted by years of education, having visited a psychiatric hostel and living near 2 out of the 8 psychiatric hostels [R-squared=.21]. Age was generally negatively correlated with attitudes towards the patient [r=-0.23]. There were also significant differences among the attitudes of the various hostel neighbourhoods.

Apart from education, age, and gender the most important factors in influencing attitudes towards deinstitutionalization and patients are local. Choice of favourable locations for psychiatric facilities and cultivation of a positive neighbourhood climate are important.