• Korean Journal of Family Social Work
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• no.56
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• pp.251-277
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• 2017

This study aimed to explore the parents'intentions of choosing a residential institution as the future alternative for their children with disabilities after the death of a parent, regarding the recent disability service and policy focusing on the deinstitutionalization of services for people with disabilities. For this purpose, the effects of factors relating to the children with disabilities, families and society on the parents' future plans of residential place and guardians are examined. First, parents of children with disabilities are less likely to choose a residential institution as the future living place for their children when their children have a better communication competence, their families are more positive, and their caring burden is lower, compared to others. Second, parents are less likely to choose a residential institution as the future guarding body for their children when their children could communicate well and their families are positive. This result indicated the communication competence of children with disabilities and the positiveness of families are important factors associating with the future plan decision and the additional support for the prevention of institution arrangement after the death of a parent. Findings are discussed in relation to the importance of future plans of residence and guardians for the life of children with disabilities after the death of parents and the implication for social welfare.