Skye N Leedahl1, Rosemary K Chapin2, Todd D Little3. 1. Departments of Human Development and Family Studies & Political Science, Aging and Health Faculty Fellows Program, University of Rhode Island. 2. School of Social Welfare, Center for Research on Aging and Disability Options (CRADO), University of Kansas. 3. Department of Educational Psychology and Leadership, Institute for Measurement, Methodology, Analysis, and Policy (IMMAP), "Stats Camp," Texas Tech University.
Abstract
OBJECTIVES: 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. METHODS: 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. RESULTS: 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. DISCUSSION: 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.
OBJECTIVES: 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. METHODS: 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. RESULTS: 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. DISCUSSION: 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.
Authors: Sara Clemens; Katelynn Aelick; Jessica Babineau; Monica Bretzlaff; Cathleen Edwards; Josie-Lee Gibson; Debbie Hewitt Colborne; Andrea Iaboni; Dee Lender; Denise Schon; Ellen Snowball; Katherine S McGilton; Jennifer Bethell Journal: Health Sci Rep Date: 2022-07-20
Authors: Jennifer Bethell; Jessica Babineau; Andrea Iaboni; Robin Green; Rachelle Cuaresma-Canlas; Roobika Karunananthan; Barbara Schon; Denise Schon; Katherine S McGilton Journal: BMJ Open Date: 2019-12-09 Impact factor: 2.692