Date of Conferral

2015

Degree

Ph.D.

School

Human Services

Advisor

Elaine Spaulding

Abstract

Elder bullying is on the rise and occurs in many contexts such as senior living communities and nursing homes, causing concern for the well-being of the residents by families, staff, themselves, and society in general. Although research has been limited, it does reveal that resident-to-resident bullying in nursing homes is a problem warranting further scholarly attention. The purpose of this study was to investigate the experiences of certified nursing assistants (CNAs) regarding resident-to-resident bullying in nursing homes. The theory of reasoned action and the theory of reflective equilibrium provided a conceptual lens from which to explore and describe the importance of the CNAs' attitudes and behavior when recognizing, observing, and addressing bullying incidences. A phenomenological research design was employed. Using open-ended questions, 10 CNAs were individually interviewed. One major discovery of the study was that 100% of the CNAs interviewed indicated that they experienced resident-to-resident bullying and that it was a major problem in the nursing home. The findings of this study presented many possibilities for positive social change across all levels, from individuals and families to nursing home organizations and society as a whole, but most importantly, it increased awareness about bullying across nursing homes as the ultimate goal was for the improvement on the quality of life experienced by residents in nursing homes.

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