Residential Context, Social Relationships, and Subjective Well-Being in Assisted Living

Abstract

Adaptive reframing and cumulative inequality theory provide the conceptual framework for investigating associations between four measures of subjective well-being (general, temporal, comparative, and experiential), residential context, and social relationships. Data from 344 cognitively intact assisted living (AL) residents aged 60 years and older interviewed for the Florida Study of Assisted Living were analyzed using logistic regression. Having control over the AL transition, often associated with socioeconomic status, was positively associated with all four dimensions of subjective well-being, consistent with a cumulative inequality framework. Other residential context characteristics (living arrangements prior to AL, private pay, size, licensure status) were less consistently associated with well-being. High-quality staff relationships were associated with temporal well-being, while positive coresident relationships were associated with all four well-being indicators. Compared with preexisting external relationships with family and friends, and consistent with adaptive reframing, social relationships unique to AL were independently and more consistently associated with residents' perceptions of subjective well-being.

Transitions to Assisted Living: A Pilot Study of Residents’ Occupational Perspectives

“…These results support the findings that social relationships impact adjustment to assisted living (Cummings, 2002;Street & Bürge, 2012). Although all participants demonstrated good social and emotional health, dissatisfaction with role maintenance, choice, and control of routines appear important and require further investigation.…”

“…Having control over daily decisions may facilitate positive social relationships, and there are strong positive association between social relationships and perceived well being (Frytak, Kane, Finch, Kane & Maude-Griffin, 2001;Rowe & Kahn, 1997;Rowe & Kahn, 1998;Street & Bürge, 2012;Street & Bürge, 2012). A lack of control and adherence to formal and informal facility rules (meal times, seating assignments) are potential threats to selfconcept (Ball, Perkins, Whittington, Connell, Hollingsworth, King et al, 2004;Perkins et al, 2012;Street & Bürge, 2012). Culture changes within the assistive living can lead to a poor person environment fit (Perkins et al, 2012).…”

Relocation decisions and constructing the meaning of home: A phenomenological study of the transition into a nursing home

“…financial, health, legal) regardless of its duration (Kao, Travis, & Acton, 2004). Maintaining a feeling of control over the decision to move into a long term care facility has been positively associated with greater psychological well-being following the transition (Street & Burge, 2012). Forced admission has been shown to lead to anger in new residents (Mikhail, 1992) and an increase in mortality rate over a one year period (Laughlin, Parsons, Kosloski, Bergman-Evans, 2007).…”

Behavioural Changes in Dementia and their Impact on Professional Caregivers: A Grounded Theory Approach

“…Importantly, this research suggests that residents living in a care setting are often confronted with other residents presenting a range of diversified care needs. This if often perceived as an alienating and even frightening factor for residents that can severely affect the quality of co-resident relationships and as a results, detrimentally affect their perceived wellbeing (Street & Burge, 2012). Notwithstanding, this detrimental effect might be also be mitigated through peer support.…”