EXPLORATION OF ELDERS' PERCEPTIONS OF POWER AND WELL-BEING.
Contributors: Case Western Reserve University.
Published: 1991
Number of pages: 263
Subjects: Health Sciences, Nursing.; Gerontology.; Sociology, Ethnic and Racial Studies.
Description: This exploratory descriptive study investigated elders' perceptions of power and well-being, and the relationship between power and well-being. The research questions were derived from Rogers' science of unitary human beings.

A triangulation design with purposive sampling was used. The 61 participants included 31 community dwelling and 30 nursing home residents. The participants ranged in age from 61 to 97 with a mean age of 76.9 years and included 17 blacks, 44 whites; 15 men, 46 women.

Content analysis of audio taped transcripts of elders' definitions of power and well-being showed diversity in elders' perceptions. From 17 themes, seven power categories emerged: Mastery; Resources; Influence; Values; Personal Attributes; Interpersonal; Independence/Dependence. From 18 themes, eight well-being categories emerged: Mastery; Health; Self Attitude; Valued Behavior; Relationships; Independence/Dependence; Spirituality; Security. Differences in percentages of assignments to categories were found based on demographic characteristics. The Mastery and Independence/Dependence power and well-being categories shared similar themes.

Power measures included: Cantril self-anchoring ladder; Power as Knowing Participation in Change Tool (PKPCT); abbreviated locus of control instrument. Cantril power scores were significantly higher for community residents. Community residents had significantly lower locus of control scores. Blacks had significantly higher PKPCT Awareness and Choice scores. Participants under 85 years of age had significantly higher PKPCT Involvement in Creating Change scores.

A Cantril self anchoring ladder was used to measure well-being. Community residents had significantly higher well-being scores. Additionally, well-being was measured by self report health dimensions from the OARS questionnaire. The dimensions were mental health, physical health and activities of daily living. Community residents had significantly less impaired mental health, physical health, and daily function. Blacks had significantly more impaired daily function. Participants under 85 years of age had significantly less impaired mental health.

Using correlational analysis, a significant positive relationship between Cantril power and well-being was found. There were significant inverse relationships between Cantril power, and mental and physical health. Significant positive relationships were found between Cantril well-being scores and each PKPCT subscale. As Cantril well-being increased, locus of control significantly decreased.
Notes: Source: Dissertation Abstracts International, Volume: 52-08, Section: B, page: 4125.

Thesis (PH.D.)--CASE WESTERN RESERVE UNIVERSITY (HEALTH SCIENCES), 1991.

School code: 0499.