Am I More Than Just a Care Product? The Determinants of the Nurses’ Communication Styles Towards the Elderly in Care Facilities and the Relationship of These Styles with the Well-Being of the Elderly

Abstract

This research investigated what determinants underlie the communication styles employed by nurses to interact with the elderly (Study 1, N = 104), and the effects of these communication styles on the well-being of the elderly (Study 2, N = 115). Study 1 showed that work pressure, the believed under accommodating speech style of the elderly, and negative age stereotypes were positively associated with the use of a routine management discourse, a nurturing discourse and elderspeak. The use of a personal discourse was positively associated with commitment to the elderly and negatively associated with the believed under accommodating speech style of the elderly. Study 2 showed that only the use of a personal discourse was positively associated with all components of well-being. The use of a nurturing discourse was shown to be negatively associated with well-being. Elderspeak and the use of a routine management discourse were both marginally positively associated with the affection component of well-being. Last, a moderator effect was found for the satisfaction with the number of visits per month on the relationship between a personal, nurturing and routine management discourse, and the well-being of the elderly.