Multilevel examination of facility characteristics, social integration, and health for older adults living in nursing homes

Testing a model based on past research and theory, this study assessed relationships between facility characteristics (i.e., culture change efforts, social workers) and residents' social networks and social support across nursing homes; and examined relationships between multiple aspects of soc...

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Published in:The journals of gerontology. Series B, Psychological sciences and social sciences Psychological sciences and social sciences, 2015-01, Vol.70 (1), p.111-122
Main Authors: Leedahl, Skye N, Chapin, Rosemary K, Little, Todd D
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Aged
Aged, 80 and over
Family Relations
Female
Gerontology
Health Status
Homes for the Aged - standards
Homes for the Aged - statistics & numerical data
Humans
Interpersonal Relations
Kansas
Male
Mental Health - statistics & numerical data
Nursing homes
Nursing Homes - standards
Nursing Homes - statistics & numerical data
Older people
Professional-Patient Relations
Residence Characteristics - statistics & numerical data
Social Capital
Social integration
Social networks
Social Support
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Summary:Testing a model based on past research and theory, this study assessed relationships between facility characteristics (i.e., culture change efforts, social workers) and residents' social networks and social support across nursing homes; and examined relationships between multiple aspects of social integration (i.e., social networks, social capital, social engagement, social support) and mental and functional health for older adults in nursing homes. Data were collected at nursing homes using a planned missing data design with random sampling techniques. Data collection occurred at the individual-level through in-person structured interviews with older adult nursing home residents (N = 140) and at the facility-level (N = 30) with nursing home staff. The best fitting multilevel structural equation model indicated that the culture change subscale for relationships significantly predicted differences in residents' social networks. Additionally, social networks had a positive indirect relationship with mental and functional health among residents primarily via social engagement. Social capital had a positive direct relationship with both health outcomes. To predict better social integration and mental and functional health outcomes for nursing homes residents, study findings support prioritizing that close relationships exist among staff, residents, and the community as well as increased resident social engagement and social trust.
ISSN:1079-5014
1758-5368
DOI:10.1093/geronb/gbu112