HELPING AND HURTING - PREDICTORS OF MALTREATMENT OF PATIENTS IN NURSING-HOMES

Despite evidence indicating that deliberate maltreatment of patients exists in nursing homes, little is known about factors that increase the likelihood that such abuse will occur. This study employed data from a random sample survey of 577 nurses and nursing aides working in long-term care facilities to identify predictors of maltreatment of patients by staff. Three sets of variables were proposed to predict the occurrence of physical and psychological abuse: institutional characteristics, staff characteristics, and the situational characteristics. Logistic regression analysis revealed that situational characterists are the best predictors of patient maltreatment. In particular, staff burnout and level of staff-patient conflict were strongly related to engaging in abuse of patients. © 1991, Sage Publications. All rights reserved.