Institutional routines and interpersonal conflicts among elderly in a Long-Term Care Facility

Abstract

Objective: To describe the influence of institutional routines on interpersonal conflicts among institutionalized elderly women. Method: A qualitative study, with an ethnographic framework, performed with 17 elderly women in a Long-Term Care Facility. The field immersion occurred from August 2017 to May 2018. The data were produced by participant observation and fieldnotes and analyzed through the sociocultural perspective with theoretical tools related to the total institutions described by Erving Goffman. Results: External bonds outside the institution and the routines were trigger factors of conflicts in the Long-Term Care Facility. The dissatisfaction with the lack of external bonds was noticed in the impossibility of leaving with family members, receiving visits, objects, money, foods, or attention. The standardization and collectivization of internal routines of basic activities generated dissatisfaction and challenged the elderly women’s tolerance towards the norms. Such situations facilitated interpersonal conflicts in the institutional environment. Conclusion: The conflicts occurred among elderly women and professionals, and among them, from the insubordination of the elderly, based on the idea of reaffirming their individualities.

‘After mealtime is before mealtime’ – an ethnographic exploration of nursing home residents’ practices of dealing with meal requirements

“…However, this opportunity to express their needs and individuality through eating is made more difficult by the standardisation and collectivisation of the processes in the nursing home. This can even lead to conflicts between the nursing staff and the residents when the latter become rebellious and insist on affirming their individuality [46].…”

The Applicability of Photovoice in Pseudo-total Institutions – Methodological Insights From an Exploratory Study on Physical Activity in Nursing Homes

“…With such reliance on daily activities outside the individual, "mortification of self" results (Goffman, 1961). Nursing home residents tend to adapt to rigorous contexts of total institutions by applying various and diverse strategies, such as distancing, opting out of activities, or converting to institutional routines (Bruinsma et al, 2021). Although a recent scoping review highlighted the multiplicity and diversity of residents' wishes and needs, regarding preferences for activities, leisure, and daily routines (Schweighart et al, 2022), studies also showed residents tended to have limited agency in a priori decision-making about planning care transition and selecting their specific nursing home (Rustad et al, 2016).…”

An Analog Game-Based Intervention and a Playability Analysis in the Elderly - A Pilot Study

“…Institutionalization is marked by a change in interpersonal relationships in the daily routine, which become pre-established and not very flexible for daily activities (e.g., eating, sleeping, or bathing) (Bruinsma et al, 2021). These changes in routine can trigger a sedentary and passive lifestyle, fostering a reduction in occupational activities (Ramalho & Petrica, 2023).…”