THE STRUCTURE OF SOCIAL ENGAGEMENT AMONG NURSING-HOME RESIDENTS

This research tests the reliability and construct validity of social e ngagement, a new quality of life measure embedded in the federally man dated Resident Assessment Instrument (RAI) for the nursing home popula tion. The sample consisted of 1,848 residents from 268 homes in 10 sta tes with data collected by trained research nurses. Three resident gro ups were formed based on residents' cognitive and ADL functioning. Soc ial engagement was significantly related to average time spent in acti vities across ad three groups. We hypothesized a four-factor model wit h social engagement distinct from mood problems, conflicted relationsh ips, and behavior problems. LISREL confirmatory factor analysis found the data to be consistent with this hypothesis (Fit Index > .98). Inte rcorrelations between factors showed that for high-functioning residen ts, engagement was negatively related to conflict bat was positively r elated to conflict among the most impaired. The validity of the social engagement measure and its stability across types of residents sugges t its potential utility as a marker of nursing home quality.