Abstract
The purpose of this study is to use quantitative methods to describe assisted living (AL) residents’ subjective social status, and to test predictors of subjective social status in this setting. The current study sampled 202 residents, ages 51–100 (M = 83.03, SD =10.27), across 21 ALs. Most participants were female (71%), white (90%), widowed (59%), and used private payment (70%). Residents indicated subjective social status on a ten-rung ladder adopted from the MacArthur Scale of Subjective Social Status, and modified to fit the context of an AL community. Participants reported a range of social status in their AL community (Range = 1–10; Median = 7; M = 6.95, SD = 2.03). Residents also self-reported demographic, relocation, health, personality, and other psychosocial (e.g., internalized ageism, social support, and activity attendance) factors. A multiple regression tested these variables as predictors of subjective social status. The overall model was significant, F(24, 177) = 3.72, p < .001, and explained 34% of total variance in social status. Mental health (β = .26; p = .002), extraversion (β = .23; p = .002), conscientiousness (β = .14; p = .038), and neuroticism (β = .16; p = .040) were significant predictors in the model. Results suggest that mental health and personality predict how AL residents perceive their social status within their community. Implications for future research and the social experience of AL residents are discussed.