Implications of a Need-Press-Competence Model for Institutionalized Elderly

The predictive utility of a proposed need-press competence (NPC) model of satisfaction was compared with that of the traditional need-press fit model. Structured interviews with 30 residents from two nursing homes provided measures of needs, press, competence, and satisfaction. The NPC model was a better predictor of expressed satisfaction than the need-press model, and the potential for need satisfaction was a more important correlate of expressed satisfaction than person-environment fit. Results also indicated that continued efforts to increase the press and competence levels in nursing homes would be helpful, particularly along those dimensions where need press competence analyses suggest that need satisfaction will be most problematic. (Author)