Correlates of Change in Perceptions of Nursing Facilities Among Volunteers

Abstract

The image of nursing facilities by the public is largely negative. Change in perceptions of nursing facilities is not often studied. The author investigated whether individuals would change their views of nursing facilities in response to volunteer activities in an ombudsman program and identified factors associated with transitions in perceptions as well as qualitative types of change. More than 60% of 778 men and women attributed their altered views of nursing facilities to volunteering. Factors associated with changes in perceptions were markedly different for men and women. Identification of correlates of change may assist administrators of volunteer programs in addressing experiences that may encourage more positive perceptions of settings in which volunteers work.