Institutionalization

Institutionalization is the process by which individuals or populations come to rely on the structures, routines, and rules of a formal institution. It can refer to the entrenchment of practices within organizations or to the adaptation of people to life inside an institution, such that autonomy and skills for life outside diminish.

In psychology and psychiatry, the term is commonly used to describe the effect of long-term confinement in mental hospitals or other care facilities, where patients become dependent on staff and routines. The resulting dependence can hinder discharge and reintegration, with reduced social functioning and problem-solving abilities. The phenomenon has influenced policy debates about deinstitutionalization and community-based care.

In sociology, institutionalization refers to the process by which social practices become taken for granted, legitimate, and resistant to change, thereby becoming embedded in the structures of organizations and social systems. Institutions codify routines, roles, and norms, shaping behavior even when the original purposes fade. The concept highlights stability and path dependence, while acknowledging potential rigidity.

In criminology and penology, inmates and staff may become institutionalized, adopting prison-specific norms and routines that complicate adjustment to life in society after release.

Historically, deinstitutionalization in the mid- to late 20th century sought to shift care from long-term psychiatric facilities to community-based services. While intended to improve autonomy and reduce stigma, outcomes varied and challenges included gaps in community support and homelessness in some regions.