Effects of a Control-Relevant Intervention on Nursing Home Residents' Perceived Competence and Self-Esteem

Authors

  • Jeanne M Shary
  • Seppo E Iso-Ahola

Keywords:

Perceived Competence, 8elfEsteem, Nursing Home

Abstract

The purpose o fthis study was to determine the effeets of increased opportunities to exercise personal control, choice, and responsibility on nursing home residents'  perceived competence and self-esteem. The experimental group (N = 14) received a treatment (a message) that emphasized personal control, choice and responsibility over one's life, and provided actual opportunities to exercise control. The control group (N = 14) was read a message emphasizing the nursing home's commitment to serving and caring for its residents. This manipulation proved to be successful as the experimental subjects reported having had greater opportunities to exercise choice, control and responsibility than the control group. When the pretest scores on the dependent measures were statistically controlled,the experimental group scored significantly higher (p< .01) on the post-tests of perceived competence and self-esteem than did the control group. This indicated that the mean changes for the experimental group on perceived competenoe and self-esteem were greater than those for the control group. These findings are consistent with previous studies and suggest a possible explanation why control-relevant interventions appear to be successful in improving nursing home residents' psychological well-being.

Published

1989-01-01

Issue

Section

Regular Papers