Body Image and Staff-to-Resident Deportment in a Home for the Aged

Abstract

This report is based on a series of exploratory observations of staff-to-resident conduct in a home for the aged. A synthesis of the data from the observational records resulted in a distinction between three styles of staff-to-resident deportment in situations of face-to-face interaction. In addition to distinguishing between three styles of deportment, a description is given of observed differences in styles of deportment against the background of variations in staff status and degrees of resident disability. Finally, an interpretation of the observed differences in styles is developed through an analysis of the implications in the observed conduct for staff images and valuations of residents' bodies as objects of orientation in face-to-face interaction.