This study examined how the nursing home search and selection process may vary depending upon the sponsor's gender and relationship to the patient. Based on previous studies on caregiving, I assume that different gender and kin roles are associated with varying self-perceptions as caregivers according to societal expectations. Symbolic interaction ism suggests that these differential caregiving self-perceptions may be reflected in actual searching activities and in perceptions about the search and selection process.

The data set for this investigation was taken from the Virginia Nursing Home Search and Selection Survey. Relationship- and gender-based group differences (spouses/adult children/others, females/males, and daughters/sons) in searching activities and perceptions about the search and selection process were assessed among 149 respondents who identified themselves as responsible parties for the process.

The results showed that closer kin, females, and daughters did not differ from their counterparts in most cases of searching activities, such as searching time, the number of facilities considered and visited, and the number of facility attributes considered. The only significant differences were found in male-female comparisons regarding the number of facility attributes considered. On the other hand, there were significant group differences across gender and relationship type in the degree of negative feelings about the search and selection process: adult children, females, and daughters were found to have more negative perceptions about their experience than others, males, and sons, respectively. Moreover, daughters were found to be the most negatively affected group during the search experience. The need for an educational campaign or program to reduce family members' negative perceptions about the search and selection process is discussed.