Factors related to aggressive behaviors among older adults in nursing homes of Korea: A cross-sectional survey study

Aggressive behavior is one of the most challenging behavioral psychological symptoms for older adults and their caregivers in nursing homes.The purpose of this study was to examine and identify contributing factors of aggressive behaviors among older adults in nursing homes in South Korea.This is a secondary analysis of a national survey on health and functional status among older nursing home residents.Participants were recruited from 91 nursing homes.A total of 1447 older adults were included for final analysis and they were randomly selected from a nationally representative sample of people 65 years and older at the sampled nursing homes.Presence of aggressive behaviors was identified when participants showed at least one of the five symptoms in the Korean interRAI Long-Term Care Facility Assessment Tool such as physical abuse, verbal abuse, socially inappropriate or destructive behaviors, and resistance to care. Theory-based contributing factors were selected and examined. Multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed.About 19% of older nursing homes residents had aggressive behaviors, and several health and social factors including social engagement are associated with aggressive behaviors.Aggressive behavior is prevalent in older nursing home residents with and without dementia in South Korea and individual and institutional level interventions are necessary.