Long-term care workers and bureaucracy: The occupational ritualization of maltreatment in nursing homes and recommended policies

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

1-1-2007

Abstract

This article proposes that occupational rituals are an important part of social life for long-term care workers. Using 40 biographies, autobiographies, and research monographs to examine nursing homes, it reviews various symbolic themes expressed through daily work rituals in nursing homes. The themes involve concepts related to the culture of bureaucracy. This includes staff separation, rules, documentation, efficiency, and meetings. Using structural ritualization theory, we suggest that certain ritualized symbolic practices that express these themes influence the behaviors of nursing home employees shaping the thoughts and social interaction of nursing home staff members, creating occupational ritualization. Ritualized symbolic practices also contribute to the unintended maltreatment of residents. However, we believe alternative policies can generate work rituals with the potential to replace or offset the negative impacts of bureaucracy on maltreatment.

DOI

10.1177/193672440700100110

First Page

52

Last Page

70

Volume

1

Issue

1

Publication Title

Journal of Applied Social Science

ISSN

19367244

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