Making Assisted Living a Home: Relocation, Social Support, and the Mental Well-Being of Residents in Assisted Living

• Other Authors: Schmidt, Susannah Ashley. (authoraut)
• Format: Others
• Language: English; English
• Published: Florida State University
• Subjects: Sociology
• Online Access: http://purl.flvc.org/fsu/fd/FSU_migr_etd-2005

Depression is the most common mental health problem faced by people aged 65 and older. Residents in long term care facilities are among those at the greatest risk of suffering from depression. While past research indicates that a substantial proportion of nursing home residents suffer from depression, few studies have examined the rates of depression among assisted living residents. My dissertation examines the relative significance of various factors on resident well-being. I specifically focus on the impact of residents' social support networks as well as their level of control over the move to assisted living as important factors in determining resident well-being. Since the link between social support and depression has been well documented in the literature, I also examine various factors that could potentially impact residents' social support networks. My first set of analyses examines the influence of numerous factors on the well-being of residents in assisted living. My findings indicate that, contrary to my hypothesis, resident control over the decision to move to an ALF is not the most important predictor of resident depression. Instead, residents' social support systems and their attitudes regarding their current facility are the strongest predictors of depression outcomes. In general, residents who have social ties, both within and outside of their facility, are also less likely to suffer from depression. Residents who are satisfied with their current facility tend also to be happier than their unsatisfied counterparts. These findings suggest that residents' views regarding both their current living situation as well as their level of social involvement matter more in terms of predicting resident well-being than how they came to live in an ALF. My second set of analyses considers the factors that shape residents' social support networks. My results indicate that, on the whole, whether residents' had control over their move to assisted living predicts their social support outcomes. Residents who had control over their move are more likely to maintain satisfactory relationships with both their family and friends. This suggests that future studies would benefit from a more in-depth analysis of what can be done to ensure that elders feel they are in control of the relocation process. Such studies could provide facility administrators as well as ALF residents and their families with information that could ease the transition into assisted living. === A Dissertation Submitted to the Department of Sociology in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy. === Spring Semester, 2007. === June 30, 2006. === Social Support, Relocation, Assisted Living, Depression, Well-Being === Includes bibliographical references. === Jill Quadagno, Professor Directing Dissertation; Michelle Bourgeois, Outside Committee Member; Irene Padavic, Committee Member; John Reynolds, Committee Member.