Relational referents in the nursing home: The staff to resident link

Abstract

The relationships between staff members and residents is seen to be an important part of the effective operation of a nursing home. This essay argues that aspects of this relational link are expressed through the referents used by staff members with regard to residents. Chi‐square analyses of conversational data reveal that the socialization stages and hierarchical levels of staff members are related to the type of referents employed. Specifically, members at the encounter stage use dysfunctional referents to a greater extent than members at other levels. As members become socialized these referents fall more closely in line with organizational values. Further, administrators are more likely to use organizationally approved referents, the nursing staff is most likely to use relational referents, and nurse aides are most likely to employ dysfunctional referents.