Journal article
Why Men Fare Worse: A Mixed-Methods Study Examining Gender Differences in Nursing Home Resident Quality of Life
The Gerontologist, Vol.62(9), pp.1347-1358
01/12/2022
DOI: 10.1093/geront/gnac003
PMCID: PMC9579463
PMID: 35024847
Abstract
Background and Objectives
Despite research documenting gender differences in numerous outcomes in later life, we know little about gender differences in quality of life (QoL) for nursing home (NH) residents. This study examines the relationship between gender and residents’ QoL, including possible reasons for differences observed.
Research Design and Methods
We used a mixed-methods design including surveys with a random sample of Minnesota NH residents using a multidimensional measure of QoL (n = 9,852), resident clinical data, facility-level characteristics (n = 364), interviews with residents (n = 64), and participant observations. We used linear mixed models and thematic analysis of resident interviews and observations to examine possible gender-related differences in residents’ QoL.
Results
After controlling for individual and facility characteristics, men reported lower overall QoL than women, including significantly lower ratings in several QoL domains. In interviews, men noted being less satisfied with activities than women, having fewer friends, and being less able to rely on family for support. Some women described the NH as a place of respite, but men more often described being dissatisfied with life in the NH and undesirable for long-term living. Our observations were consistent with interview findings but provide additional nuances, such as that some men organized their own social groups.
Discussion and Implications
Our findings suggest that men and women experience QoL differently in NHs, with men reporting lower QoL in several domains. Tailoring more activities for men and finding ways to strengthen relationships for men in NHs could help reduce the gender differences in QoL we observed.
Details
- Title: Subtitle
- Why Men Fare Worse: A Mixed-Methods Study Examining Gender Differences in Nursing Home Resident Quality of Life
- Creators
- Heather Davila - , , , ,Weiwen Ng - , ,Odichinma Akosionu - , ,Mai See Thao - , ,Tricia Skarphol - , ,Beth A Virnig - , ,Roland J Thorpe - , ,Tetyana P Shippee - , ,
- Resource Type
- Journal article
- Publication Details
- The Gerontologist, Vol.62(9), pp.1347-1358
- DOI
- 10.1093/geront/gnac003
- PMID
- 35024847
- PMCID
- PMC9579463
- NLM abbreviation
- Gerontologist
- ISSN
- 0016-9013
- eISSN
- 1758-5341
- Publisher
- Oxford University Press
- Grant note
- ; U54MD000214; R01MD010729 / ; K02AG059140 / ;
- Language
- English
- Date published
- 01/12/2022
- Academic Unit
- Internal Medicine
- Record Identifier
- 9984361725702771
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