Abstract
ABSTRACTThis study examined civic engagement participation among older adult nursing home residents and determined resident characteristics that predict group membership, resident council participation, informal volunteering, and voting. Residents (N = 139) answered questions from standardized surveys during in-person interviews. The most common civic engagement activity was membership in social/community groups. Logistic regression results showed that emotional well-being and social support predict group membership and resident council participation. Age and activities of daily living predict volunteering. Study findings suggest that community groups could utilize residents in their efforts, and that future research should determine supports and adaptations for increasing civic engagement among residents.
Highlights
Formal volunteering has been associated with both physical and mental health benefits (Greenfield & Marks, 2004; Harris & Thoresen, 2005; Lum & Lightfoot, 2005; Martinez et al, 2006)
For the purposes of this study, civic engagement is operationalized as community/social group membership, participation in resident council, volunteering within the facility, and voting in a recent election
This study addresses two research questions: 1) What percent of nursing home residents in the sample are civically engaged? 2) What demographic, health, and social integration variables predict involvement in four types of civic engagement activities for older adults in nursing homes?
Summary
Formal volunteering has been associated with both physical and mental health benefits (Greenfield & Marks, 2004; Harris & Thoresen, 2005; Lum & Lightfoot, 2005; Martinez et al, 2006). For the purposes of this study, civic engagement is operationalized as community/social group membership, participation in resident council, volunteering within the facility, and voting in a recent election. This study addresses two research questions: 1) What percent of nursing home residents in the sample are civically engaged (in four types of civic engagement: community/social group membership, resident council participation, informal volunteering within the facility, voting in a recent election)?
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