The Societal Cost of Behaviors of Concern Among Individuals with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Residing in Small Residential Group Homes

Tricia J. Johnson (), Hugh Vondracek, Teresa Moro, Cameron D. White and Sarah H. Ailey
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Tricia J. Johnson: Department of Health Systems Management, Rush University, Chicago, IL 60612, USA
Hugh Vondracek: Department of Community, Systems and Mental Health Nursing, Rush University, Chicago, IL 60612, USA
Teresa Moro: Department of Social Work, Rush University, Chicago, IL 60612, USA
Cameron D. White: College of Nursing, Rush University, Chicago, IL 60612, USA
Sarah H. Ailey: Department of Community, Systems and Mental Health Nursing, Rush University, Chicago, IL 60612, USA

IJERPH, 2025, vol. 22, issue 2, 1-15

Abstract: Engagement in behaviors of concern (BoCs) by adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDDs) living in small residential group homes can negatively impact the health, safety, and quality of life of the individuals themselves and others living and working in the home. Little is known about the societal cost of BoCs. The objective of this study was to quantify the cost of BoCs for residents, residential group homes, and public and healthcare services in terms of different behaviors. This descriptive study used incident and monthly behavior-tracking reports collected from small residential group homes for six months prior to implementing a social problem-solving intervention aimed at decreasing BoCs. The mean cost per BoC incident per resident was USD 80 ± 601. Health and safety incidents had the highest cost, followed by begging. BoCs impose costs on small residential group homes, public and healthcare services, and residents themselves.

Keywords: intellectual disability; developmental disability; cost and cost analysis; group homes; small residential group homes; societal costs; behaviors of concern (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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