TRANSPORTATION, SOCIAL SUPPORT, FAMILY VISITATION, AND DEPRESSION OF RESIDENTS IN NURSING HOMES: A MIXED-METHODS STUDY

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to explore transportation between family members in the community to visit their loved ones residing in long-term care nursing homes. This study is presented across three articles. First, a systematic review of the literature investigating barriers to family members visiting their loved ones in nursing homes identified seven barriers to visitation, including transportation access and travel time. These findings laid the foundation for articles two and three, which report results from a larger two-phase mixed-methodological study. The second article, guided by the Social Determinants of Mental Health, is an analysis examining the effect of transportation on depression symptoms of residents in nursing homes, mediated by social support and. This study took place in North Central Texas across 11 nursing homes and included a total sample of 86 participant-dyads (N = 86). Thirdly, phase-two of the mixed-methods study uncovered seven primary themes to family members’ visitation of residents in nursing homes through the lived experiences of 11 family members (N = 11). Findings taken from this overall study have significant implications for future research, policy, and practice. These implications are discussed at length in the conclusion section.