The focus of this study was the influence of preestablished family behavior patterns, family orientation of nursing home policies, and practices and caregiver and elder characteristics on the family members' expectations for involvement in the nursing home and the actual involvement 6 months later. The conceptual model was based on findings of Montgomery's nursing home study and open systems principles applicable to families. Data were collected through telephone interviews with 216 family members of residents in 24 nursing homes in southern Michigan. Regression analyses revealed that measures of preestablished patterns of family behavior accounted for 19% to 31% of variance in measures of expected family involvement. Expected family involvement, resident activities of daily learning (ADL), and caregiver relationship accounted for 11% to 23% of variance in measures of actual family involvement. Opportunity for family leadership in resident care had a mild effect of moderating the amount of family direct care and learning activities in the nursing home.