A Comparative Study of Organizational Grief Support and Burnout among Nursing Home Staff.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between dimensions of grief support (recognition of the relationship, acknowledgement of the loss, and inclusion of the griever) and aspects of burnout (emotional exhaustion, depersonalization, and personal accomplishment) among nursing home staff. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: Data was collected from 553 nursing home (NH) workers from 37 nursing home facilities in 5 states during fall 2022. Responses to the Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI) and Grief Support Health Care Scale (GSHCS) were analyzed for this study. RESULTS: The study found that recognizing the relationship with deceased patients led to a decrease in exhaustion and depersonalization among workers, while simultaneously enhancing their sense of personal accomplishment. Including the griever in the support process lowered all burnout sub-scales for nursing home staff. Acknowledging the loss was associated with higher levels of personal accomplishment. Registered nurses, nurse practitioners, and physicians experienced higher levels of exhaustion and depersonalization compared to other nursing home staff. Behavioral health workers had the highest personal accomplishment, while direct support workers reported the lowest. DISCUSSION AND IMPLICATIONS: These findings have important implications for improving the well-being of nursing home staff, emphasizing the importance of organizational grief support, and tailored interventions to address burnout among different healthcare provider roles in nursing homes.

Religious Involvement and the Impact on Living Alone and Depression: An Examination of Gendered Pathways Post-Widowhood.

This study analyzed data from the nationally representative Health and Retirement Study (HRS) to examine the association between widowhood and depression. The results revealed that both men and women experienced increased depression after widowhood, with women exhibiting a better recovery pattern over time. Religiosity, especially attending religious services, was found to be a beneficial coping mechanism for both genders, although men were less religious than women. Living alone was a significant factor associated with depression in widowhood for both men and women. High religious service attendance moderated the association between living alone and depression for women, while both high and moderate religious service attendance moderated this association for men. These findings emphasize the importance of considering gender differences and the potential benefits of religious involvement in addressing depression during widowhood, highlighting the need for tailored interventions and support services for widows and widowers, particularly those living alone.

Occupational Stress and Job Satisfaction: Differences Among Racial/Ethnic and Immigration Groups.

The current study aimed to investigate the factors contributing to long-term care workers' job satisfaction by examining the association between occupational stress (including job resources and job demands) and job satisfaction, and the differences among racial/ethnic and immigration groups. Data of 2,763 nursing assistants were retrieved from the National Nursing Assistant Survey. Guided by the job demands-resources model, we found that high job resources and low job demands contributed to job satisfaction. Our findings also suggest that occupational stress works differently based on race/ethnicity and immigration status. Long-term care providers looking to recruit and retain workers should include multiple job resources tailored to their diverse workforce. Designing existing workplace environments to promote job resources and reduce job demands is a useful way to lessen the adverse effects of occupational stress within the workplace. [Journal of Gerontological Nursing, 49(11), 42-52.].

Leading Through Loss: Experiences of Nursing Home Administrators-in-Training During the COVID-19 Pandemic.

End-of-life care is a critical aspect of long-term care, yet there is limited understanding of nursing home staff's experiences and preparation in this area, particularly among facility administrators. To address this gap, two cohorts of Administrators-in-Training (2021 & 2022) were interviewed about their knowledge and practices regarding end-of-life care in skilled nursing facilities. Interviews focused on involvement in end-of-life discussions, coping strategies, grief support, and personal perspectives on death. The findings revealed a significant lack of training on death management and end-of-life care for Administrators-in-Training (AITs), with limited grief support mechanisms in place within skilled nursing facilities. Personal experiences with death influenced AITs' approach to end-of-life care, and various coping strategies were observed. The results highlight the need for comprehensive training programs and improved support for AITs to enhance end-of-life care delivery.

The Impact of Supervisor Support on the Job Satisfaction of Immigrant and Minority Long-Term Care Workers.

Previous research has demonstrated the effect of supervisor support on the job satisfaction of long-term care workers (LTCW); however, much less is known about how this effect differs among race/ethnicity or immigration groups. We examined how supervisor support mediates the associations between race/ethnicity, immigration status, and job satisfaction among nursing assistants (NAs). Data of 2749 NAs were extracted from the National Nursing Assistant Survey (2004). Findings indicated that NAs of non-Hispanic Black and other races and immigrant workers were more likely to be satisfied with their jobs compared to White and non-immigrant workers, and the associations were mediated by NAs' perceived supervisor support. Minority or immigrant LTCW may be more sensitive to supervisory support and more grateful if they received support from supervisors. Managers should be aware of these racial differences and by being supportive they may improve NAs job satisfaction and reduce turnover rates.

The Effects of Religiosity on Depression Trajectories After Widowhood.

This longitudinal study analyzed data from the 2006-2016 waves of the nationally representative Health and Retirement Study (HRS). Trajectories of depression among older adults ≥ 50 years (N = 1254) were examined over time to explore patterns of depression among those entering widowhood and the potential impact of religiosity on depressive symptoms during various stages of widowhood. Ordinary least squares (OLS) regression analysis was used to examine the association between widowhood and depression and the role of religiosity as a moderator of this association. Older adults experienced a statistically significant increase in depressive symptomology after the onset of widowhood, and depressive symptomology decreased post widowhood, but did not return to pre-widowhood levels. Additionally, high religious service attendance and higher intrinsic religiosity were both associated with lower depressive symptomology. High religious service attendance moderated the relationship between widowhood and depression among widowed older adults living alone.