J Korean Acad Nurs.  2012 Aug;42(4):559-567. 10.4040/jkan.2012.42.4.559.

Effects of an Empowerment Program on the Adjustment of Older Adults to Nursing Home Life

• Chang A
• Park YH

• KMID: 1387328
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.4040/jkan.2012.42.4.559

Abstract

PURPOSE
This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of the empowerment intervention on the levels of self-esteem, interpersonal relationships and adjustment to nursing home life of the Korean nursing home residents.
METHODS
Participants (n=47) whose period of stay was less than one year were purposefully selected from 3 nursing homes in Korea. The experimental group (n=21) attended 10 weekly hour-long empowerment sessions. The empowerment program comprised two components; group education and group discussion. The control group (n=26) received a two-hour education about health management.
RESULTS
Compared with the control group, the experimental group showed significantly higher mean scores of self-esteem (t=5.51, p<.001), interpersonal relationships (t=2.73, p=.009) and adjustment to nursing home life (t=2.10, p=.041).
CONCLUSION
Findings of this study suggest that empowerment interventions may be effective in enhancing nursing home residents' self-esteem, interpersonal relationships and adjustment to nursing home life. Future research is needed to determine if such an empowerment program could be used with newly institutionalized elders to speed as well as enhance their adjustment to nursing home life.

Keyword

Nursing home; Aged; Empowerment; Adjustment

MeSH Terms

Adaptation, Psychological
Aged
Aged, 80 and over
Female
Geriatric Assessment
Health Status
Humans
Interpersonal Relations
Male
Nursing Homes
*Program Evaluation
Self Concept

Figure

• 

  Figure 1 Theoretical framework of this study based on the empowerment caring model.

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