Journal of the Korean Home Economics Association (대한가정학회지)

The Korean Home Economics Association (대한가정학회)
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Negative Family life Events, Spousal Support and Mental Health: Focus on Gender Differences

부정적 가족 생활사건, 배우자 지지와 정신건강 - 성별차이를 중심으로 -

  • Kang, Hye-Won (Research Institute of Human Ecology, Seoul National Univ.) ;
  • Han, Gyoung-Hae (Dept. of Child Development and Family Studies, Seoul National Univ.)
  • 강혜원 (서울대학교 생활과학연구소) ;
  • 한경혜 (서울대학교 아동가족학과)
  • Published : 2005.08.01
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Abstract

The purpose of this study is to examine the effects of negative life events on mental health and to explore possible main and moderating effects of spousal support on mental health with a focus on gender differences. The data for this study were taken from a nationwide random sample of 1,504 married men and women ranging in age from 30 to 59 through structured questionnaires. The data were analyzed using the SPSS WIN program which was used to calculate frequency, mean, 1-test, multiple regressions. The main results were as follows: First, by examining mental health of Korean men and women, women were more likely than men to experience higher levels of depression. Second, there was no gender difference in the sum of experience of negative life events, therefore the date of this study did not support the differential exposure hypothesis. In addition, men perceived more support from their spouses than women. Third, results show that especially the event concerning with job/financial problems has negative impacts on mental health of both men and women, and vulnerability to undesirable life events was not found. Fourth, spousal support is associated with better mental health regardless of gender, and it reduces the harmful effects of life events concerning with job/financial area for both men and women. Also, spousal support reduces the magnitude of the harmful effects of life events concerning with health of men. This study focused on the impact of negative life events and the couple process. It was possible to explore the strength of social support provided from spouse of most importance to the individuals. These results affirm the importance of supportive relationships between couples as a buffer, mitigating harmful effects of negative life events on mental health.

Keywords

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