RELATIONSHIP OF RELIGION AND PERCEIVED SOCIAL SUPPORT TO SELF-ESTEEM AND DEPRESSION IN NURSING-HOME RESIDENTS

This study is an examination of the relationship of religiosity and pe rceived social support to depression and self-esteem in nursing home r esidents. Answers to questionnaires administered to 83 nursing home re sidents indicated that perceived social support from family, public re ligious activity, and length of stay in the home were related to self- esteem and to depression. Past occupational status was also associated with self-esteem. Health status and having a choice in selecting the nursing home were negatively related to depression. Intrinsic religios ity and the resident's perceived social support from friends were not significantly related to depression or self-esteem.