Korea journal of population studies (한국인구학)

The Population Association of Korea (한국인구학회)
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A Study of Impact of Social Activities and Religion/Spirituality on Depression and Life Satisfaction among the Korean Elderly

사회활동과 종교 및 영성이 한국노인들의 우울증과 삶의 만족에 미치는 영향

  • Received : 2011.06.08
  • Accepted : 2011.08.13
  • Published : 2011.08.31
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Abstract

This study assessed the manner in which social activities, religious experiences, and spiritual practices related to depression and life satisfaction among 217 Korean elderly individuals, aged 65 to 80. The Social Activities Scale and Brief Multidimensional Measure of Religiosity/Spirituality were employed to assess social activities and six domains of religiosity/spirituality: daily spiritual experiences, values, forgiveness, private religious practice, religious/spiritual coping, and religious support. In addition, depression was assessed with the Geriatric Depression Scale, and life satisfaction with the Satisfaction with Life Scale. After controlling for demographic variables, lower depression scores were predicted by higher levels of religious and spiritual coping, social activities, higher income, and ower daily spiritual experiences. In addition, identifying as female, advanced old age, and lower social activities predicted lower life satisfaction in this study. The implications of this study's findings on social work practice are also discussed, along with some future research directions.

본 연구는 65세에서 80세 사이의 연령대에 있는 서울/경기지역 노인복지센터에 참여하는 217명의 한국 노인들을 대상으로 이들의 사회활동, 종교적 경험, 영성 수행 등이 노인 우울증 및 삶의 만족에 미치는 영향을 탐구하기 위하여 수행되었다. 종교 및 영성에 관련된 변수는 일상적 영성 경험, 가치관, 관용, 개인의 종교 활동, 종교 및 영적 수양, 종교적 지지 등 여섯 가지 영역으로 나뉘어 측정되었다. 사회활동과 종교 및 영성을 측정하기 위하여 사회활동척도 (Social Activities Scale)와 종교/영성 다중체계 척도 (Brief Multidimensional Measure of Religiosity/Spirituality)를 사용하였으며, 우울증 측정을 위해서는 노인우울척도(Geriatric Depression Scale)를 적용하는 동시에 삶의 만족도 측정은 삶의 만족척도 (satisfaction with Life Scale)를 사용하였다. 인구학적 변인들을 통제한 후 분석한 연구결과, 높은 수준의 종교 및 영적 수양, 사회활동, 높은 소득수준, 낮은 수준의 일상적 영성 경험이 노인들의 우울증 발생에 낮게 영향을 미치는 것으로 나타났다. 반면 여성일수록, 고령일수록, 사회활동이 낮을수록 삶의 만족도는 낮은 것으로 나타났다. 이러한 연구결과를 바탕으로 추후 연구에 대한 제언 및 사회복지 실천에 대한 함의를 논하였다.

Keywords

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