Journals of Gerontology Series B: Psychological Sciences and Social Sciences, Vol 50, Issue 1 P1-P8, Copyright © 1995 by The Gerontological Society of America

ARTICLES

The structure of social engagement among nursing home residents

V Mor, K Branco, J Fleishman, C Hawes, C Phillips, J Morris and B Fries
Center for Gerontology and Health Care Research, Brown University.

This research tests the reliability and construct validity of social engagement, a new quality of life measure embedded in the federally mandated Resident Assessment Instrument (RAI) for the nursing home population. The sample consisted of 1,848 residents from 268 homes in 10 states with data collected by trained research nurses. Three resident groups were formed based on residents' cognitive and ADL functioning. Social engagement was significantly related to average time spent in activities across all three groups. We hypothesized a four-factor model with social engagement distinct from mood problems, conflicted relationships, and behavior problems. LISREL confirmatory factor analysis found the data to be consistent with this hypothesis (Fit Index >.98). Intercorrelations between factors showed that for high-functioning residents, engagement was negatively related to conflict but was positively related to conflict among the most impaired. The validity of the social engagement measure and its stability across types of residents suggest its potential utility as a marker of hursing home quality.

This article has been cited by other articles:

				J. Engberg, N. G. Castle, and D. McCaffrey Physical Restraint Initiation in Nursing Homes and Subsequent Resident Health Gerontologist, August 1, 2008; 48(4): 442 - 452. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				P. Brink and M. Stones Examination of the Relationship Among Hearing Impairment, Linguistic Communication, Mood, and Social Engagement of Residents in Complex Continuing-Care Facilities Gerontologist, October 1, 2007; 47(5): 633 - 641. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				A. Kolanowski, L. Buettner, M. Litaker, and F. Yu Factors that relate to activity engagement in nursing home residents American Journal of Alzheimer's Disease and Other Dementias, January 1, 2006; 21(1): 15 - 22. [Abstract] [PDF]

				J. Mirotznik Does Cognitive Status Moderate the Health Effects of Single-Person Room Transfers on Nursing Home Residents? Gerontologist, October 1, 2002; 42(5): 634 - 642. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				S. F. Simmons and J. F. Schnelle The Identification of Residents Capable of Accurately Describing Daily Care: Implications for Evaluating Nursing Home Care Quality Gerontologist, October 1, 2001; 41(5): 605 - 611. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				B. E. Fries, S. E. Simon, J. N. Morris, C. Flodstrom, and F. L. Bookstein Pain in U.S. Nursing Homes: Validating a Pain Scale for the Minimum Data Set Gerontologist, April 1, 2001; 41(2): 173 - 179. [Abstract] [Full Text]

				J. Mirotznik and L. L. Kamp Cognitive Status and Relocation Stress: A Test of the Vulnerability Hypothesis Gerontologist, October 1, 2000; 40(5): 531 - 539. [Abstract] [Full Text]

				N. G. Kutner, P. J. Brown, R. C. Stavisky, W. S. Clark, and R. C. Green "Friendship" Interactions and Expression of Agitation among Residents of a Dementia Care Unit: Six-Month Observational Data Research on Aging, March 1, 2000; 22(2): 188 - 205. [Abstract] [PDF]

				D. R. Gifford, K. L. Lapane, G. Gambassi, F. Landi, V. Mor, and R. Bernabei Tacrine use in nursing homes: Implications for prescribing new cholinesterase inhibitors Neurology, January 1, 1999; 52(2): 238 - 238. [Abstract] [Full Text]

				M. Diehl, D. L. Spore, and M. A. Smyer Measurement Properties of the Short Multidimensional Observation Scale for Elderly Subjects (MOSES Journal of Applied Gerontology, December 1, 1997; 16(4): 403 - 426. [Abstract] [PDF]