Outcome measures that document activity patterns provide an empirical basis for improving the lifestyles of adults with severe disabilities. This report provides a psychometric assessment of an instrument, the Resident Lifestyle Inventory (RLI), that can be used to measure the activities performed by such persons. In a series of three assessments the congruent validity (Assessment 1), test-retest reliability (Assessment 2), and social validity (Assessment 3) of the RLI were analyzed to determine its acceptability as a measurement instrument for documenting activity patterns. Results from the three assessments demonstrated that the RLI is a psychometrically acceptable measure that is used accurately by residential programs. It is perceived by support staff to be a useful strategy for improving lifestyle quality. Implications of this report are provided for the role of outcome measures in community-based residential support, the individualized plan development process, and future research.
AvenoA. (1987a). A survey of leisure activities engaged in by adults who are severely retarded living in different residence and community types. Education and Training of the Mentally Retarded, 22, 121–127.
2.
AvenoA. (1987b). A survey of activities engaged in and skills most needed by adults in community residences. Journal of The Association for Persons with Severe Handicaps, 12, 125–130.
3.
BellamyG. T.NewtonJ. S.LeBaronN.HornerR. H. (in press). Quality of life and lifestyle outcomes: A challenge for residential programs. In SchalockR. L. (Ed.), Quality of Life: Perspectives and issues.Washington, DC: American Association on Mental Retardation.
4.
EmersonE. B. (1985). Evaluating the impact of deinstitutionalization on the lives of mentally retarded people. American Journal of Mental Deficiency, 90, 277–288.
5.
FelceD.KockU.deReppA. C. (1986). An ecobehavioral analysis of small community-based houses and traditional large hospitals for severely and profoundly mentally handicapped adults. Applied Research in Mental Retardation, 7, 393–408.
6.
HaringT. G.BreenC. G. (1990). Units of analysis of social interaction outcomes in supported education. Journal of The Association for Persons with Severe Handicaps, 14, 255–262.
7.
HornerR. H.NewtonJ. S.StonerS. K. (1988). The community network project: Research strategies for supporting social networks (Contract No. 84.158J). Washington, DC: United States Department of Education.
8.
IngeK. J.BanksP. D.WehmanP.HillJ. W.ShaferM. S. (1988). Quality of life for individuals who are labeled mentally retarded: Evaluating competitive employment versus sheltered workshop employment. Education and Training of the Mentally Retarded, 23, 97–104.
9.
KennedyC. H.HornerR. H.NewtonJ. S. (1989). Social contacts of adults with severe disabilities living in the community: A descriptive analysis of relationship patterns. Journal of The Association for Persons with Severe Handicaps, 14, 190–196.
10.
KennedyC. H.HornerR. H.NewtonJ. S. (1990). The social networks and activity patterns of adults with severe disabilities: A correlational analysis. Journal of The Association for Persons with Severe Handicaps, 15, 86–90.
11.
KishiG.TeelucksinghB.ZollersN.Park-LeeS.MeyerL. (1988). Daily decision-making in community residences: A social comparison of adults with and without mental retardation. American Journal on Mental Retardation, 92, 430–435.
12.
LandesmanS. (1986). Quality of life and personal life satisfaction: Definition and measurement issues. Mental Retardation, 24, 141–143.
13.
MansellJ.FelceD.KockU.deJenkinsJ. (1982). Increasing purposeful activity of severely and profoundly mentally-handicapped adults. Behavior Research and Therapy, 20, 593–604.
14.
MatsonJ. L.RuschF. R. (1986). Quality of life: Does competitive employment make a difference? In RuschF. R. (Ed.), Competitive employment issues and strategies (pp. 311–337). Baltimore: Paul H. Brookes.
15.
NewtonJ. S. (1986). Validation of a residential outcomes information system. Unpublished Master's Thesis, University of Oregon, Eugene.
16.
NewtonJ. S.BellamyG. T.HornerR. H.BolesS.LeBaronN.BennettA. (1987). Using The Activities Catalog in residential programs for individuals with severe disabilities. In WilcoxB.BellamyG. T. (Eds.), A comprehensive guide to The Activities Catalog: An alternative curriculum for youth and adults with severe disabilities (pp. 125–153). Baltimore: Paul H. Brookes.
17.
NewtonJ. S.StonerS. K.BellamyG. T.BolesS. M.HornerR. H.LeBaronN.RomerL.RomerM.SchlesingerD. (1988). Valued outcomes information system (VOIS) operations manual.Eugene: University of Oregon, Center on Human Development.
18.
O'BrienJ. (1987). A guide to lifestyle planning: Using The Activities Catalog to integrate services and natural support systems. In WilcoxB.BellamyG. T. (Eds.), A comprehensive guide to The Activities Catalog: An alternative curriculum for youth and adults with severe disabilities (pp. 175–189). Baltimore: Paul H. Brookes.
19.
O'ConnorG. (1983). Social support of mentally retarded persons. Mental Retardation, 21, 187–196.
20.
O'NeillJ.BrownM.GordonW.SchonhornR. (1985). The impact of deinstitutionalization on activities and skills of severely/profoundly mentally retarded multiply-handicapped adults. Applied Research in Mental Retardation, 6, 361–371.
21.
O'NeillJ.BrownM.GordonW.SchonhornR.GreerE. (1981). Activity patterns of mentally retarded adults in institutions and communities: A longitudinal study. Applied Research in Mental Retardation, 2, 367–379.
22.
SailorW.GeeK.GoetzL.GrahamN. (1988). Progress in educating students with the most severe disabilities: Is there any?Journal of The Association for Persons with Severe Handicaps, 13, 87–99.
23.
SchalockR. L.KeithK. D.HoffmanK.KaranO. C. (1989). Quality of life: Its measurement and use. Mental Retardation, 27, 25–31.
24.
WilcoxB.BellamyG. T. (1987). A comprehensive guide to The Activities Catalog: An alternative curriculum for youth and adults with severe disabilities.Baltimore: Paul H. Brookes.
