Determinants of interpersonal support and self-direction in group residential facilities

This study examined the determinants of residents' and staff's judgments of interpersonal support and self-direction in group residential facilities for older people. The Multiphasic Environmental Assessment Procedure (MEAP) was used to assess social climate dimensions and their determinants in a national sample of 244 facilities. Residents saw more interpersonal support and self-direction in facilities with more physical resources (comfort and staff facilities) and policies providing more autonomy. A similar pattern was found for staff's perceptions of self-direction. Residents and staff also viewed facilities as providing more interpersonal support and self-direction when residents were more socially competent. Larger facility size was associated with residents' assessments of more conflict, and a higher staff-resident ratio was related to residents' judgments of having less independence and influence. These findings may help to improve residential facilities by suggesting factors that can be targeted in interventions to improve the social climate.