Predictors of self-assessed health, anxiety, and depressive symptoms in nursing home residents at week 1 postrelocation

Objective: The purpose of this study was to determine if person factors, situation factors, and cognitive appraisal predict health outcomes during the first week postrelocation in older adults relocating to a nursing home. Method: Data were collected using face-to-face interviews with a convenience sample of 114 older adults. The study was guided by Lazarus and Folkman's stress-appraisal-coping framework. Results: Hierarchical regression analyses accounted for 12% of the variance in self-assessed health, 48% of the variance in anxiety, and 55% of the variance in depressive symptoms. For all three health outcomes, at least one type of cognitive appraisal provided additional explanation of the dependent variable beyond that of the person and situation factors. Discussion: The findings provide additional empirical evidence for Lazarus and Folkman's stress-appraisal-coping framework. Findings from this study emphasized the importance of mastery, social support, and cognitive appraisal of the older adult relocating successfully to a nursing home.