KUKU

KU ScholarWorks

  • myKU
  • Email
  • Enroll & Pay
  • KU Directory
    • Login
    View Item 
    •   KU ScholarWorks
    • Dissertations and Theses
    • Dissertations
    • View Item
    •   KU ScholarWorks
    • Dissertations and Theses
    • Dissertations
    • View Item
    JavaScript is disabled for your browser. Some features of this site may not work without it.

    Older Adults in Nursing Homes: Assessing Relationships Between Multiple Constructs of Social Integration, Facility Characteristics, and Health

    Thumbnail
    View/Open
    Leedahl_ku_0099D_12667_DATA_1.pdf (1.031Mb)
    Issue Date
    2013-05-31
    Author
    Leedahl, Skye N.
    Publisher
    University of Kansas
    Format
    150 pages
    Type
    Dissertation
    Degree Level
    Ph.D.
    Discipline
    Social Welfare
    Rights
    This item is protected by copyright and unless otherwise specified the copyright of this thesis/dissertation is held by the author.
    Metadata
    Show full item record
    Abstract
    An extensive body of research has examined connections between older adults' social worlds and health and well-being, particularly for community-dwelling older adults. Yet, little is known about the social worlds of older adults living in nursing homes because of this population's exclusion from many studies and national databases. Further, the influence of social workers and culture change practices on the social lives of nursing home residents is not well-documented. This research assessed the relationships between multiple social integration (i.e., social networks, social capital, social support, and social engagement) and health (i.e., depression, functional health and well-being) constructs, and examined the influence of facility characteristics (i.e., culture change, role of social workers) on these variables. This study drew on a model based on social network theory developed by Berkman, Glass, Brissette, and Seeman (2000). Data were collected at 30 nursing homes in Northeast Kansas using a cross-sectional, quantitative, 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 social service directors and nursing home administrators. Data were imputed using multiple imputation, and multilevel confirmatory factor analysis was used to verify measurement properties. Multilevel structural equation modeling (MSEM) was used to answer the research questions and test hypotheses. Findings revealed that the data did fit the proposed model supporting social network theory, showing that social networks and social group participation indirectly influence depression and functional health and well-being primarily via social engagement. Social capital had a direct influence on both health constructs. Further, the relationships sub-scale of culture change involvement significantly influenced between-level differences in residents' social networks, and the number of social workers in a nursing home was positively associated with between-level differences in residents' social support. These findings inform social integration strategies for reducing social isolation and related declines in physical and mental health for older adults in nursing homes as well as nursing home and health care policies for improving quality of life of those utilizing long term care services.
    URI
    http://hdl.handle.net/1808/11460
    Collections
    • Dissertations [4474]
    • Social Welfare Dissertations and Theses [34]

    Items in KU ScholarWorks are protected by copyright, with all rights reserved, unless otherwise indicated.


    We want to hear from you! Please share your stories about how Open Access to this item benefits YOU.


    Contact KU ScholarWorks
    785-864-8983
    KU Libraries
    1425 Jayhawk Blvd
    Lawrence, KS 66045
    785-864-8983

    KU Libraries
    1425 Jayhawk Blvd
    Lawrence, KS 66045
    Image Credits
     

     

    Browse

    All of KU ScholarWorksCommunities & CollectionsThis Collection

    My Account

    LoginRegister

    Statistics

    View Usage Statistics

    Contact KU ScholarWorks
    785-864-8983
    KU Libraries
    1425 Jayhawk Blvd
    Lawrence, KS 66045
    785-864-8983

    KU Libraries
    1425 Jayhawk Blvd
    Lawrence, KS 66045
    Image Credits
     

     

    The University of Kansas
      Contact KU ScholarWorks
    Lawrence, KS | Maps
     
    • Academics
    • Admission
    • Alumni
    • Athletics
    • Campuses
    • Giving
    • Jobs

    The University of Kansas prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, ethnicity, religion, sex, national origin, age, ancestry, disability, status as a veteran, sexual orientation, marital status, parental status, gender identity, gender expression and genetic information in the University’s programs and activities. The following person has been designated to handle inquiries regarding the non-discrimination policies: Director of the Office of Institutional Opportunity and Access, IOA@ku.edu, 1246 W. Campus Road, Room 153A, Lawrence, KS, 66045, (785)864-6414, 711 TTY.

     Contact KU
    Lawrence, KS | Maps