Direct-care workers' attributions of psychopathology in adults with mental retardation.

The processes by which direct-care workers identify psychological disorder and need for treatment in adults with mental retardation was examined. A series of vignettes-varying in problem type, client's mental retardation level, and client's gender-was administered to 144 direct-care workers from four types of work settings. Results indicate that although the workers demonstrated an overall ability to accurately identify psychopathology, problem type, and client's mental retardation level were significantly related to workers' judgments regarding the presence of psychological disorder and need for treatment.

Referral reasons for psychological services for adults with mental retardation.

This study examined 391 adult referrals made to a mental health clinic serving individuals with mental retardation, in order to explore the relationship between referral source and referral reason. Each referral was categorized into 1 of 8 referral sources (e.g.