Deference as a Form of Reciprocity Among Residents in Assisted Living

Abstract

Although the ability to provide support to others may diminish with age, the desire to reciprocate persists. Using social exchange theory, this article examines deference as one form of exchange. Based on a sample of 31 residents age 85 and older in assisted living facilities, data were gathered via a semi-structured interview that was audiotaped and transcribed. This study analyzes their responses to open-ended questions using qualitative methods. Findings indicate that these “oldest old” respondents reciprocate for the support they receive from family and staff via deference. Four forms of deference are identified: participation, pleasantness, cooperation, and gratitude. In addition, the psychological costs and rewards of deference are examined from the elders' perspective.

Care Transition Experiences of Older Veterans and Their Caregivers: Table 1:

“…Most important, they were reluctant to criticize any clinical staff or the VA health care system, repeatedly noting that they were "very grateful [for their] care." This theme of gratitude and appreciation is consistent with previous literature on frail elders that found patients tended to defer to staff and did so, in part, by providing "socially desirable responses" ( Beel-Bates, Ingersoll-Dayton, & Nelson, 2007).…”

“…Indeed, almost all of the survey respondents and interviewees seemed to acquiesce to what they believed the interviewer would like to hear. Other studies have noted that elders who are ill or disempowered may be deferential to interviewers ( Beel-Bates et al, 2007;Ingersoll-Dayton, Saengtienchai, Kespichayawattana, & Aungsuroch, 2004). However, this tendency to be acquiescent may pose a hindrance to addressing problems associated with care.…”

The Highs and Lows of Caregiving for Chronically Ill Lesbian, Gay, and Bisexual Elders

“…Within the partnership dyad, the description of best and worst experiences differs for the caregiver and the care recipient, which is to be expected given the findings of prior studies that address issues such as caregiver stress (Pearlin, Mullan, Semple, & Skaff, 1990) as well as care recipients’ emotional strain and deferential actions (Beel-Bates et al, 2007; Newsom & Schulz, 1998). Interestingly, rather than focusing on experiences of care, which was the basis of the interview prompt, a majority of care recipients and caregivers who were partners instead focused on the best experiences of caregiving as representative of relationship commitment.…”

“…With respect to caregiving relationships, the receipt of help perpetuates a power dynamic where the caregiver has more power vis-à-vis the care recipient even when the care relationship occurs among committed relationship partners. Such power relations may extend to decision-making about the provision of care in covert ways (Pyke, 1999) and affect the everyday interactions within the care dyad (Beel-Bates, Ingersoll-Dayton, & Nelson, 2007). …”

Elementos estructurales de la red social, fuentes de apoyo funcional, reciprocidad, apoyo comunitario y depresión en personas mayores en Chile

“…En un sentido opuesto, Chappell y Funk (2011) muestran que las personas mayores son importantes proveedoras de apoyo social para sus familiares y amistades. Existen antecedentes, en todo caso, que ponen de manifiesto que a medida que se envejece disminuye la capacidad de dar apoyo, pero aumenta el apoyo social percibido por las personas mayores (Beel-Bates, Ingersoll-Dayton y Nelson, 2007;Shaw, Krause, Liang y Bennett, 2007). Parece necesario tomar en cuenta este debate, contemplando la reciprocidad en el apoyo en función del tipo de apoyo y de la fuente y destino del mismo en la relación recíproca.…”