RELATIONSHIPS AMONG ACHIEVEMENT OF SELECTED STANDARDS OF NURSING CARE, SELECTED DEMOGRAPHIC VARIABLES, AND MORALE OF NURSING HOME RESIDENTS.
Contributors: University of Alabama at Birmingham.
Published: 1994
Number of pages: 135
Subjects: Health Sciences, Nursing.; Gerontology.
Description: The purpose of this descriptive study was to examine the relationships among achievement of selected standards of nursing care, selected demographic variables, and morale of nursing home residents. The Roy adaptation model served as the conceptual framework.

Standards of nursing care related to urinary incontinence were selected from federally mandated quality of care standards. Achievement of selected standards of nursing care and achievement of care plan goals were measured on a scale of achieved, partially achieved, or not achieved, by analyzing data from nurses' notes and care planning notes. Interrater reliability with another professional gerontological nurse was 100%. From a 350-bed county nursing home, 42 residents met selection criteria and consented to participate. Standards were met for 59.5% of the subjects, partially met for 21.4%, and not met for 19%.

Morale was measured using the Philadelphia Geriatric Center Morale Scale (PGC) and the Life Satisfaction Index A (LSI-A). The mean PGC score was 8.55 out of a possible score of 17. The mean LSI-A score was 11.45 out of a possible score of 20.

Hypotheses were tested using multiple regression analyses with measures of morale serving as dependent variables. No statistically significant relationships were found among achievement of selected standards of nursing care, selected demographic variables, and morale of nursing home residents. Therefore, a relationship among the variables was not supported.

The findings supported conclusions that many nursing home residents have low to moderate morale. Achievement of selected standards of nursing care and care plan goals are not predictors of morale in nursing home residents. An assumption is evident in the literature that quality of life in nursing homes is dependent on quality of care. The results of this study indicate the need for more research to identify the link. Recommendations for future research include: (a) a qualitative study to explore, with nursing home residents, the care giving experience and its effect on quality of life; (b) a longitudinal study to measure change in morale over time; and (c) the use of a larger sample and more standards of nursing care.
Notes: Source: Dissertation Abstracts International, Volume: 55-08, Section: B, page: 3239.

Thesis (D.S.N.)--UNIVERSITY OF ALABAMA AT BIRMINGHAM, 1994.

School code: 0005.