Social support and psychological well-being of nursing home residents in Hong Kong.
BACKGROUND
This study sought to investigate the extent to which structural and functional social support promotes psychological well-being among nursing home residents in a Chinese society.


METHODS
71 nursing home residents (57 women, 14 men) provided ratings on contact frequency and emotional and instrumental support exchanges with network members. Psychological well-being was measured using depression, loneliness, positive affect, and life satisfaction.


RESULTS
Network size was associated with well-being, but was largely nonsignificant after controlling for frequency of contact or functional support. Contact and support from staff and fellow residents were consistently related to all well-being variables, whereas interactions with family were associated with life satisfaction and positive affect only. Being able to reciprocate support was also related to well-being in this sample of frail elderly, controlling for other factors.


CONCLUSIONS
Interactions with staff and residents in the institution are more protective of well-being than interactions with family members. Even in a society where familism is strongly valued, assimilation into the institution facilitates support exchange when needed.
Cheng
Sheung-Tak
ST
Department of Psychological Studies, Hong Kong Institute of Education, Hong Kong. takcheng@ied.edu.hk
Lee
Coty Kit Ling
CK
Chow
Pizza Ka-Yee
PK
D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D044466:Asian People / Q000523:psychology; D019058:Community Networks; D005190:Family; D005260:Female; D016330:Frail Elderly / Q000523:psychology*; D006304:Health Status; D006707:Homes for the Aged; D006723:Hong Kong; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009735:Nursing Homes; D010549:Personal Satisfaction; D011593:Psychology, Social; D012944:Social Support