This study aims to identify the factors affecting elderly women’s depression by examining the impacts of elderly women’s physical health on their depression and the moderating effects of related social support so that they live more satisfactory l...
This study aims to identify the factors affecting elderly women’s depression by examining the impacts of elderly women’s physical health on their depression and the moderating effects of related social support so that they live more satisfactory lives, and further to provide with basic data helpful for the development of policies and programs to increase their quality of life based on that. For this purpose, a survey on 207 elderly women at their age 65 and over, who use welfare center for the elderly, residing in Gyeongbuk area and the following conclusions were obtained.
First, as a result of an analysis of the difference of variables by age, elderly women at their age 75 and over had lower IADL than those at their ages 65-75 did. Second, as a result of an analysis of the difference of variables by religion, religion did not have any difference between the variables. Third, as a result of an analysis of the difference of variables by educational level, those whose level of education was less than elementary school had lower IADL than those whose level was higher than high school did while those whose level of education was higher than high school had less family support than those whose level was less than elementary school and middle school had. Also, high school graduates and higher had a higher depression level from interpersonal relationship than those whose level of education was less than elementary school. Fourth, as a result of an analysis of the difference of variables by the existence of a spouse, those without a spouse had higher professional support than those without one did. Fifth, as a result of an analysis of the difference of variables by the existence of family, those without a family had worse perceived health status than those with did while those with a family had lower IADL than those without did. Sixth, as a result of an analysis of the difference of variables by the existence of economic activity, the existence of economic activity did not have any difference between the variables. Seventh, as a result of an analysis of the difference of variables by monthly income, those who with less than 300,000 of monthly income had lower IADL than those with more than 600,000 of monthly income did while those with more than 600,000 of monthly income had higher family support than those with less than 300,000 and 300,000-600,000 of monthly income did. Eighth, as a result of an analysis of the difference of variables by the path of raising pocket money, those who were given pocket money from the government had a higher depression level from positive emotion than those who earned pocket money themselves. Ninth, impacts on depressive emotion turned out to be in the order of ADL and perceived health status; impacts on positive emotion turned out to be in the order of perceived health status, the path of raising pocket money 2(D) and path of raising pocket money 1(D); those on physical behavior slowdown turned out to be in the order of perceived health status, ADL, the existence of family(D), the existence of a spouse (D) and the path of raising pocket money 1(D); those on interpersonal relationship turned out to be in the order of ADL, educational level and perceived health status. Tenth, social support that buffers elderly women’s physical health turned out to be family support for physical behavior slowdown and interpersonal relationship.
Concrete and practical approach to elderly women’s depression level can be proposed on the basis of the above research result as follows: First, the development of the elderly welfare program that understands and strengthens the elderly’s personal and physical characteristics is necessary. Second, a service delivery system for elderly women must be prepared and a consulting program must be established to get rid of elderly women’s depression. Third, official environment must be prepared so that families can support for the elderly more systematically and actively and education of the elderly’s families must be considered. Fourth, various efforts to reduce the elderly’s depression, an elderly health welfare system and an alternative of policy that can strengthen social support must be prepared.