Families of 16 psychiatric patients were interviewed immediately prior to discharge regarding the impending discharge of their relative, events prior to admission, and the families' impression of the hospitalization. Despite wide variation in sample families' descriptors and differences in exposure to the treatment settings, there was a marked uniformity in responses. The families were not prepared for the discharge of their relative. In spite of their experiences and exposure to treatment, families continued to demonstrate tremendous uncertainty and lack of direction about the future with the patient. Families did not view the patient as ready to be discharged. They had not experienced an opportunity to express their views or participate in decision making. They did not consider the staff as a resource for themselves.