TRAINING AND EDUCATIONAL ACTIVITIES,EFFICACY, AND WORRY AMONG VOLUNTEER OMBUDSMEN IN NURSING FACILITIES

Training and educational activities for volunteers are thought to benefit both the volunteers and the organizations they serve. Questionnaire data from 754 volunteer ombudsmen in nursing facilities ( M = 69 years of age) were used to test hypotheses about relationships between initial and in-service training, assessment of initial training, preferences for eight specific training and educational activities, demographic characteristics, efficacy, and worry about performing ombudsman tasks. A positive assessment of early training, rather than actual training, contributed directly to greater efficacy and less worry. In-service training enhanced efficacy. Most preferences for training and educational activities were not associated with well-being, but when they were, expressed needs were related to less efficacy and more worry. From the practice standpoint, one focus should be on factors that increase feelings of efficacy, a powerful resource for well-being of volunteers and ultimately for those whom they serve.