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The Social Service Utilisation Behaviour of USA Mainland Puerto Rican Elderly: A Causal Model

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  14 November 2008

Richard A. Starrett ,
James T. Decker ,
Adelina Araujo  and
Gary Walters
Richard A. Starrett
Affiliation:
Director of Research, California School of Professional Psychology, 1350 M Street, Fresno, California 93721.
James T. Decker
Affiliation:
Executive Director. J. T. Decker Professional Group, Bakersfield, California.
Adelina Araujo
Affiliation:
Clinical Director, Casa Blanca, El Paso, Texas.
Gary Walters
Affiliation:
Director, Admissions, Napa State Hospital, Napa, California.
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Abstract

This study develops and tests a causal model of social service use by USA Puerto Rican elderly. Andersen and Newman's Health Framework was employed to classify and test a model of social service use by a national random sample of mainland USA Puerto Rican elderly. The findings indicate that 7 of the original 27 variables (i.e. need for social services, awareness, functional literacy, functional ability, mobility, income and contact with friends and neighbours) accounted for 43% of the variance in use. Counter to our theoretical assumption the need factor accounted for more variance than the enabling factor. Moreover, the predisposing factor and informal support variables were important predictors of utilisation.

Type
Research Article
Information
Ageing & Society , Volume 7 , Issue 4 , December 1987 , pp. 445 - 458
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1987

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References

NOTES

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