Preventing and Addressing Interpersonal Conflicts Among Residents in Diverse Nursing Home Settings - Study Findings and Recommendations

Sep 28, 2026

Uploaded by Grenda

Study findings identify interpersonal conflicts among residents in diverse nursing home settings as frequently rooted in cultural misunderstandings and differing social identities. Interviewed social services workers emphasize trauma-informed, person-centered care, with practical prevention and resolution strategies such as closer monitoring, early intervention, and environmental adjustments like changing roommates. Facilities with formal inclusion programs support social integration, while staff training—especially on unconscious bias—remains limited. Results further highlight conflict drivers across culture, cognitive impairment, disruptive behavior, race, age, religion, and other factors, indicating a need for staff training to manage high-conflict situations effectively.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryHealthcare

FormatPDF

Pages1

Reading Time3 min

AccessFree to download

Study purpose and context

Prevention and resolution strategies

Trauma-informed, person-centered care

Monitoring, early intervention, and environmental adjustments

Inclusion programs and culturally appropriate activities

Roommate matching and dementia training

Unconscious bias training

Conflict factors identified by respondents

Implications for staff training

260 Innovation in Aging, 2025, Vol. 9, No. S2 nursing homes across the U.S. revealed that conflicts often stem from cultural misunderstandings and differences in social identities. Participants highlighted the importance of trauma-informed, person-centered care and suggested increased monitoring, early intervention, and environmental adjustments (e.g., changing roommates) as strategies to prevent or resolve resident-to-resident conflicts. Four facilities had formal inclusion programs with staff or resident leaders to help new residents adjust and socially integrate. While many described efforts to incorporate culturally appropriate activities, match roommates based on shared interests and preferences, and provide dementia training for staff, only one respondent reported participating in a program aimed at addressing unconscious biases among staff. Overall, respondents felt that there is limited training available for staff on how to help residents live harmoniously with others who differ from them. Factors contributing to resident conflicts included cultural differences (n = 9), cognitive impairments (n = 9), disruptive behavior (n = 7), race (n = 6), younger age (n = 5), religion (n = 5), political divisions (n = 2), gender identity (n = 1), and substance use (n = 1). The findings suggest a need for staff training on managing high-conflict situations and effectively engaging with residents from diverse backgrounds, using strategies such as active listening, motivational interviewing, and goal-setting. Abstract citation ID: igaf122.872 PREVENTING AND ADDRESSING INTERPERSONAL CONFLICTS AMONG RESIDENTS IN DIVERSE NURSING HOME SETTINGS Amy Roberts1, Lirisha Tuladhar1, Veronica Barrios1, Dongxia Sang1, and E-Shien Chang2, 1. Miami University, Oxford, Ohio, United States, 2. Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, New York, United States This study examines how nursing home staff can prevent and address interpersonal conflicts among residents in long-term care facilities. As these facilities increasingly serve diverse populations, understanding conflict dynamics is crucial for promoting a sense of belonging, acceptance, and respect. Interviews with twelve social services workers (with 1–25 years of experience) from

FAQs

What causes interpersonal conflicts among nursing home residents, according to the study?

Conflicts are often linked to cultural misunderstandings and differences in social identities. Respondents also reported contributing factors such as cognitive impairments and disruptive behavior.

Which strategies did participants suggest to prevent or resolve resident-to-resident conflicts?

Participants highlighted trauma-informed, person-centered care, increased monitoring, early intervention, and environmental adjustments such as changing roommates. They also emphasized staff engagement approaches like active listening and goal-setting.

What did the study find about staff training needs?

Respondents reported limited training for helping residents live harmoniously with others who differ from them. The findings suggest adding training for managing high-conflict situations and effectively engaging residents from diverse backgrounds, including addressing unconscious bias.

Sep 28, 2026

Uploaded by Grenda