The effect of a control-enhancing intervention among older persons residing in an assisted living facility

Abstract

The purpose of the present study was to examine the effects of a control-enhancing intervention among older adults residing in an assisted living facility. The study was designed to investigate whether a control-enhancing intervention would (a) increase personal control among residents when the intervention was implemented by primary caregivers, and (b) increase actual or observed control among residents when the intervention was implemented by primary caregivers. The relationship between control and age, gender, education, and socioeconomic status among residents living in the facility also was examined. A quasi-experimental pretest-posttest control group design was utilized. Two sample groups were evaluated in the study (a) a treatment group consisting of 10 residents that received a message designed to invoke increased responsibility for themselves and (b) a control group consisting of 11 residents that received a message encouraging them to allow staff to assume responsibility for them. The dependent measures used for the study were the Desired Control Measure [DCM], a Participant Questionnaire, and a Behavioral Checklist. The DCM and the Participant Questionnaire were administered to each study group at six week intervals. The Behavioral Checklist was rated at weekly intervals. A significant correlation was found between gender and desire for control. No significant correlations occurred between age, education, socioeconomic status and control. Significant within and between group differences were found on the DCM. Significant within group differences were obtained on the Participant Questionnaire. No significant control-related behavioral changes occurred within or between groups. The results of the study provided evidence that the control-enhancing intervention was effective for increasing personal control among residents living in an assisted living facility. The behavioral findings indicated that the intervention may have been unsuccessful for producing increased control-related behaviors.