Abstract
Aim of this study was to explore which characteristics of nursing home residents relate to factors influencing their dignity. Questionnaires containing the Measurement Instrument for Dignity AMsterdam e for Long-Term Care facilities (MIDAM-LTC) were administered to 95 nursing home residents, residing on the general medical wards of six nursing homes in the Netherlands. Associations between residents’ characteristics and each MIDAM-LTC item as well as the total number of items considerably influencing dignity were calculated. Results showed that not being optimistic, being male and/or being heavily dependent predispose nursing home residents to have their dignity undermined. Residents with these characteristics should therefore be given special attention in the provision of dignity-conserving care. Age, cultural background, religion, length of stay and socioeconomic status were very rarely related to individual MIDAM-LTC items. Knowledge of associations between characteristics and factors undermining dignity can be used to raise nursing home staff’s sensitivity toward these factors.