Linking resident satisfaction to staff perceptions of the work environment in assisted living: A multilevel analysis.
OBJECTIVE
This study examines the relationship between resident satisfaction and staff perceptions of the work environment in assisted living. Staff perceptions were assessed at the facility level, using aggregate measures of staff job satisfaction, organizational commitment, and views of organizational culture.


METHODS
The sample included 335 residents and 298 staff members in 43 assisted living facilities. Data were collected by means of self-administered questionnaires. Two-level hierarchical linear models were used to test the hypotheses. With resident age, gender, and education controlled for, the relationships between resident satisfaction (Level 1 variable) and staff perceptions of the work environment (Level 2 variables) were assessed.


RESULTS
Greater resident satisfaction in the facility was associated with higher staff job satisfaction and more positive staff views of organizational culture (e.g., greater teamwork and participation in the decision making). From resident characteristics, only education was significantly related to satisfaction. More educated residents were less satisfied with assisted living.


CONCLUSIONS
These findings suggest that a good quality of work environment for the staff contributes to a better quality of care for the residents. More research is needed to examine the causal nature of this relationship.
Sikorska-Simmons
Elzbieta
E
Department of Sociology and Anthropology, PO Box 25000, University of Central Florida, Orlando, FL 32816-1360, USA. esikorsk@mail.ucf.edu
D040561:Assisted Living Facilities / Q000458:organization & administration*; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D005260:Female; D016852:Housing for the Elderly / Q000458:organization & administration*; D006801:Humans; D007588:Job Satisfaction; D008297:Male; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D011788:Quality of Life; D012938:Social Perception; D017132:Workplace / Q000458:organization & administration / Q000523:psychology