A Study on the Pattern and Extent of Washer Use in Household

가계의 세탁기사용방식과 사용정도에 관한 연구

In this study one aspect of consumer behavior in household equipment utilization was investigated the pattern, frequency, rate of washer use and their relation to the following factors a) Washer related factors : extent of the presence of desired characteristics, the evaluation of washer's intrinsic features and related household facilities. b) Psycho-social factors : attitude of energy conservation, preference & ability to wash by hand, standard of washing of the respondent homemaker. c) Socio-demographic factors : age, education level and employment status of homemaker, house-hold income, the presence of children under seven years, size of family, the presence of a paid help. The subjects of this study were 286 homemakers with washer in Seoul. Analysis methods were used to fuequency, one-way ANOVA, Gamma test, Pearson's Correlation Coefficient, t-test and multiple regression of SPSS program. The major findings are the following; 1) The pattern, frequency, rate of washe use appeared various in every household. 2) Extent of the presence of desired characteristics was very low and respondents evaluated their washer's intrinsic features moderate. 3) The pattern of washer use was affected by the evaluation of washer's intrinsic features, preference & ability to wash by hand, wife's employment and household income. The frequency of washer use was affected by family size and preference & ability to wash by hand. The rate of washer use was affected by extent of the presence of desired characteristics, the evaluation of washer's intrinsic features and preference & ability to wash by hand. Therefore, washing by hand is major substitute for washer. If more desired characteristics are added to washer, intrinsic features are improved, and maintenance costs are reduced or household income is raised, every houshold with washer will use washer more than washing by hand in washing ask so that it may gain more utility from washer.