Correlates of Disruptive Behaviors in Nursing Homes

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Abstract
This study reexamines factors associated with the occurrence of disruptive behaviors using a representative sample of nursing home residents in Rhode Island in 1984-1985. Four indicators of disruptive behaviors are examined using multivariate methods: evidence of any disruptive behaviors, abusive behavior, wandering, and noisiness. Results are compared with the 1989 study by Jackson et al., which was based on the same data. Findings indicate that the likelihood of exhibiting disruptive behaviors in nursing homes increases with the severity of cognitive impairment, ADL dysfunction, and incontinence, and decreases with immobility. Immobility not only is negatively associated with wandering behavior, but with other behaviors as well. Women are less likely to be abusive. In contrast to the earlier study, which did not use multivariate methods, age and communication problems are not related to disruptive behaviors.