This study was done to know the relationship between perceived social support
and health status in the Elderly. The subjects consisted of 182 active and com
municable persons aged over 65 living in Kwang Ju. Data was collected through
Interview wit...
This study was done to know the relationship between perceived social support
and health status in the Elderly. The subjects consisted of 182 active and com
municable persons aged over 65 living in Kwang Ju. Data was collected through
Interview with questionnaire from July 10 to 29, 1992. The questionnaires were the
Scale of Social Support and the Health Assessment Scale for the Elderly. Analysis of
data was done by percentage, t-test, ANOVA, and Pearson Correlation.
The results were summarized as follows
1. The average score of Health status in the elderly was 262.5 of total 375, and
ralated to age(F=8.56, P<.001), religion(t=7.77, p<.01), educational level(t=14.97,
p<.001), income(F=8.07, p<.001), perceived health status(F=3. 27, p<.05), number of
persons living with(F=6.75, p<.001), people who was living with(F=5.42, p<.01),
satisfaction with social support(F=3.08, p<.05), frequency of social support(F=4.08,
p<.01), and similarity of life style to supporter(F=3.60, p<.01).
2. The elderly who were supported from their sons of daughters were the highest
number(56.6%) of all, and 66.9% of them said that they received material support
and 54.4% of them satisfied with it. The elderly being supported from his or her
spouse were 34.6% of all, 84.1 % of them received emotional support, and 93.6%
of them satisfied with it.
3. The average score of perceived social support in the elderly was 139.5 of total
200. The subjects perceived significantly high social support in situation of living
with their spouse(F=3.04 , p<.01), having any educational level(F=9.59, p<.01),
having only one or two family members.
4. Social support and health status were positively related(p<.001). The more elderlies
perceived social support, the higher the elderlies’ health status.
5. The relationships among physical, emotional and social health status were positive
relations each other(p<.001).