A causal modeling approach to institutionalization.

A causal model of the institutionalization process is presented. Path analysis and logistic regression are performed on NHIS Longitudinal Study of Aging data. Based on initial analysis, the model is revised and re-evaluated. Convergent results support significance for four of five proposed predictors. Results are similar for men and women. Findings suggest unidentified factors are important to nursing home admission and that attention should be given to the process of decision-making that leads to admission.