Religiosity as a factor affecting adjustment of minority elderly to a nursing home

Summary This study examines the association between religiosity, adjustment and satisfaction of nursing home residents in one long term care facility. A sample of convenience was used to conduct face‐to‐face interviews of 71 Jewish and 21 African American alert residents age 65 and older. Various scales were utilized to measure resident adjustment and satisfaction, religious identity and level of involvement in religious activities. Additional information was compiled that provided a profile of the physical, mental and social functions of each resident. The findings revealed that residents who exhibit higher levels of religiosity were likely to show higher levels of adjustment and satisfaction with nursing home living. However, the results lost their significance after controlling for a variety of other characteristics. The results suggest that the continuation of previous religious roles, activities and behavior of nursing home residents may prompt increased satisfaction and a more successful adjustment to the long term care setting. The implications of these findings for practice, program development and future research will be discussed.