• 한국노년학
• /
• v.39 no.1
• /
• pp.21-35
• /
• 2019

The purpose of this study was to empirically verify the effects of spousal bereavement and complicated grief level on death anxiety of the elderly. The sample consisted of 1,998 adults who were aged 65 or older. Dependent variable was measured with the Death Anxiety Scale-Korean version (DAS-K). Independent variable was measured with both spousal bereavement and the Inventory of Complicated Grief-Korean version (ICG-K). Multiple regression analysis was performed using SPSS 23.0, adjusting for demographics, psycho-social and health variables. The results indicated that death anxiety level was lower among the bereaved with normal grief (p<.01) than non-bereaved. In contrast, death anxiety level was higher among the bereaved with complicated grief than non-bereaved (p<.01). The study result suggests that the most risky factor for death anxiety is complicated grief rather than the bereavement. Although the bereavement can be a universal experience, the severity and duration of symptoms after the bereavement may not be general. The unhealed emotional and physical pain after the bereavement stimulates death anxiety, and senior citizens who suffer from complicated grief often fail to integrate the bereavement and loss into reality, therefore, may not accept the death phenomenon itself. Anxiety and fear of death can emerge when they cannot acknowledge the bereavement. To manage complex sorrows and mitigate death anxiety, intervention programs should be provided to increase adaptability to the bereavement.

• Journal of agricultural medicine and community health
• /
• v.27 no.1
• /
• pp.87-98
• /
• 2002

This study is to reveal the overall level of loneliness, depression and social supports of the elderly in rural area of Korea. The interview survey was performed in February 2001 with structured questionnaires to 486 respondents of 65 years or more of age who lived in Muan-gun area. The questionnaire was the revised translation of Japanese Elderly Study Which was composed of general characteristics, Japanese Loneliness Scale, abridged General Depression Scale(GDS) and Duke University social support Inventory. The following analyses adopted the analysis of covariate, t-test, and Chi- squire were used for some of the cross- sectional analyses. Average age of 486 respondents was 73.9 years old. 58.0% of the respondents noticed their partner or son as the primary consultant for the stressful situation. 56.2% of the respondents experienced the loss of their marital partner, health and/or friends. Average score of loneliness, GDS and social supports of the respondents that was each $35.54{\pm}8.38$, $7.23{\pm}2.21$ and $26.01{\pm}.90$. The overall level of depression seemed to be low as the 'pleasure to be alive' and 'happiness' scored high while the 'state of anger' and 'ominous presentiment' scored low. The level of loneliness and depression was positively correlated while the relationships were negative between loneliness and support and between depression and social support. These results suggested that social and health promotional programmes be necessary for the elderly of rural area. Further research would be required to specify the necessities.

• Journal of Yeungnam Medical Science
• /
• v.11 no.2
• /
• pp.332-337
• /
• 1994

The author studied somatization using 7-symptoms screening test in 12 females, who lived in the Taegu and compared the results with those of 99 males who lived in the Taegu, during the period from the beginning of August 1993 to end of January 1994. The results were follows: The number of females screened for somatization disorder were ten (5.8%). Its rate was higher than males (3. 1%). Ten screened women most frequently complained of pain in extremities, painful menstruation, shortness of breath, and amnesia. There was a strong tendency toward higher levels of somatization in the females who were dissatified with their home atmosphere, present well being, and divorced or widowed, lower educated and those who had pessimistic views of self image in the past, present, or future.

• Proceedings of the Korea Contents Association Conference
• /
• 2014.11a
• /
• pp.215-216
• /
• 2014

본 연구의 목적은 후기 고령노인의 자살시도 경험의 의미와 본질을 탐구하여 이들의 경험에 대해 보다 심층적으로 이해하는 데에 있다. 이를 위해 서울지역 ${\bigcirc}{\bigcirc}$구에 거주하는 자살시도를 경험한 75세 이상 노인 6명을 연구참여자로 의도표집하여 심층면접을 실시하였다. 수집한 자료를 현상학적 연구방법을 적용하여 분석하였다. Giorgi가 제시한 4단계 분석 절차에 따라 자료를 분석한 결과 6개의 구성요소와 20개의 하위 구성요소가 도출되었다. 연구를 통해 후기 고령노인의 자살시도 경험의 4가지 구성요소는 <모진 세월의 회한; 죽도록 고생한 모진 인생, 조실부모와 가난의 대물림, 도무지 잊을 수 없는 자식들의 외면, 가족갈등에서 온 깊은 원망>, <절망적이며 처량한 신세; 경제력을 상실과 절망, 마음대로 죽을 수 없는 처절함, 차라리 죽고 싶은 죄책감>, <쓸모없는 무가치한 삶; 아무 쓸모없는 사람, 자녀들 및 신세지기 싫은 강박관념에 괴로움, 자살충동이 일어남>, <참을 수 없는 신체의 고통과 무기력: 죽음과 삶의 두려움, 우울증, 정신병, 치매, 무기력>, <의지할 곳 없는 외로움; 하루 종일 고립됨, 숨쉬고 있지만 마지 못해 살아감, 죽은 것처럼 살고 있는 나, 하루가 지루함>,<마지막 선택; 세상이 싫어 떠날 것임, 먼저 간 배우자 따라.., 아무것도 바라지 않음>으로 나타났다. 이러한 연구결과를 바탕으로 후기 고령노인의 자살시도 경험에 대한 의미와 본질을 논의하고 노인자살예방을 위한 실천 현장의 구체적 개입전략, 생명존중문화의 실질적인 대처 방안에 대한 제언을 제시하였다.

• 한국노년학
• /
• v.31 no.3
• /
• pp.831-848
• /
• 2011

The purpose of this study is to analyse the family caregivers' stress pathways by types of long term care services for the elderly, and then to discuss the findings of analysis. For this research, primary caregivers that provide care the elderly requiring long term care services sanctioned by National Health Insurance Corporation were drawn and surveyed. Among collected data, data for 258 primary caregivers by type of long term care services were used for this study. The results of this study can be summarized as follows. First, on average, the elders that utilize care service in institutions for the elderly were higher proportion of women, older, higher rate of bereavement, more children than the elders that utilize in-home care service, but some cases were vice-versa. Second, the elders that utilize care service in institutions more ADL dependency, higher proportion of severe dementia or severe stroke, higher care rank by National Health Insurance Corporation than the elders that utilize in-home care service on average. Third, primary caregivers with elders that utilize in-home care service were higher proportion of women, older, lower education level, higher rate of spouse and daughter-in-law in relationship with care recipient, less health, lower income than primary caregivers with elders that utilize care service in institutions. Fourth, subjective indicators representing caregivers' reactions to caregiving for the elderly significantly impact on caregivers' stress(ie, depression), and pathway of caregivers' stress are differentiated by type of long term care services. Fifth, stressors that have direct impacts on depression as caregiving family are differentiated by type of long term care services. Therefore, policies or programs to reduce negative mental health or stress of caregivig families should be designed differently by reflecting pathway of various stressors and stress by use types of long term care services for the elderly.

• 한국노년학
• /
• v.30 no.1
• /
• pp.179-194
• /
• 2010

The purpose of this study examines the elderly hemodialysis patients' Health-related quality in life(HRQL) and investigates the relationship between HRQL and transition of health condition. The subject were 443 elderly hemodialysis patients(over 65 years old) in Seoul and Gyeonggi province. The Health-related quality of life scale was used in this research, in which were analysed a wide range of statistical descriptive analysis, Pearson's correlation, reliability analysis, multiple regression and the Scheffe test. The results were as follows. The HRQL were statiscally significant difference by Gender, Educational level, Live with spouse, Best supporter, and Number of Disease. Also the factor related to transition of health condition was Number of Disease. The transition of health condition accounted for 13.9% of variance in HRQL and Number of Disease accounted for an additional 7.4% of HRQL. The factors, which influenced finally on the HRQL in the elderly hemodialysis patients, were transition of health condition and number of disease. In conclusion adequate hemodialysis treatment and social services should be provided in accordance with the factors affecting HRQL in order to improve the HRQL for elderly hemodialysis patients.

• 한국노년학
• /
• v.34 no.2
• /
• pp.387-407
• /
• 2014

This study aims to identify the multiple trajectories of depressive symptoms and the characteristics of each trajectory group among the elderly. This study uses five waves of longitudinal data from the Korean Welfare Panel Study (KWPS, 2006-2010). Subjects were older adults aged 60 and over who had completed at least three waves between 2006 and 2010. A total of 4,181 respondents were analyzed. The latent growth mixture model and the multiple logistic regression model were mainly used for data analysis. The major findings were as follows: After controlling for the variables of gender, age, education, marital status, self-assessed health, and poverty, this study identified four different trajectory classes: stable low depressive symptoms (71.8%), high but decreased depressive symptoms (10.6%), moderate but increased depressive symptoms (7.9%), and an increased, then a decreased pattern of depressive symptoms (9.7%). The characteristics of theses trajectories as compared to previous studies were a lower percentage of 'stable low depressive symptoms', no 'persistently high depressive symptoms', and higher level of depressive symptoms. Also, the elderly in the stable low trajectory group had better health status, higher self-esteem and a good relationship with family members, having longer working periods, and more living in non-poverty. In addition, chronic health problems, loss of spouse, and household income differentiated the increased and then decreased pattern from the low stable pattern. Also, age and public pension differentiated the moderated but increased pattern from the low stable pattern. Based on the findings of this study, the researchers suggested political and practical implications for reducing depressive symptoms in later life.

• Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing
• /
• v.29 no.1
• /
• pp.161-173
• /
• 1999

The purpose of this study was to develope and test the structural model for quality of life in women having hysterectomies. A hypothetical model was constructed on the basis of previous studies and a review of literature. The conceptual framework was built around eight constructs. Exogenous variables included in this model were marital intimacy, importance of uterus, professional support, positive coping behavior and pre-operative symptoms. Endogenous variables were spouse's support, sense of loss and quality of life. Empirical data for testing the hypothetical model was collected using a self-report questionnare from 203 women having hysterectomies at the outpatient clinics of four general hospitals and a mail survey in Pusan City. The Data was collected from December, 1997 to January, 1998. Reliability of the eight instruments was tested with Cronbach's alpha which ranged from 0.639-0.915. For the data analysis, SPSS 7.5 WIN Program and LISREL 8.12 WIN Program were used for descriptive statistics and covariance structural analysis. The results of covariance structure analysis were as follows : 1. Hypothetical model showed a good fit with the empirical data. ［$\chi$$^2$＝6.93(df＝5, P＝.23), GFI＝.99, AGFI＝.94, RMSR＝.019, NNFI＝.97, NFI＝.98, CN＝440, standardized residuals(-2.14-2.10)］ 2. For the parsimony of model, a modified model was constructed by deleting 3 paths and adding 1 path according to the criteria of statistical significance and meaning. 3. The modified model also showed a good fit with the data. ［$\chi$$^2$＝5.26(df＝7, P＝.63), GFI＝.99, AGFI＝.97, RMSR＝.014, NNFI＝1.02, NFI＝.99, CN＝710, standardized residuals(-1.46-1.70)］ Results of the testing of the hypothesis were as follows : 1. Marital intimacy(${\gamma}$11＝.78, t＝14.37) and professional support(${\gamma}$13＝.12, t＝2.12) had a significant direct effect on the spouse's support. 2. Pre-operative symptoms(${\gamma}$25＝.32, t＝3.12), importance of uterus(${\gamma}$22＝.20, t＝2.61) and spouse's support($\beta$2l＝-.19, t＝-2.43) had a significant direct effect on the sense of loss. 3. Sense of loss($\beta$32＝-.66, t＝-9.83) had a direct effect on the quality of life. Marital intimacy had a direct(${\gamma}$31＝.19, t＝3.33), indirect(${\gamma}$31＝.14, t＝2.52) and total effect(${\gamma}$31＝.25, t＝4.41) on the quality of life. Professional support had a direct effect(${\gamma}$33＝.11, t＝2.07) and total effect(${\gamma}$33＝.13, t＝2.31) on the quality of life. The direct effect of pre-operative symptoms(${\gamma}$35＝-.36, t＝4.02) and positive coping behavior(${\gamma}$34＝.15, t＝2.06) had the insignificant effect on the quality of life while, due to the idirect effect these variables had overall significant effect on the quality of life. The results of this study showed that the sense of loss had the most significant direct effect on the quality of life. Marital intimacy, pre -operative symptoms and spouse's support had a significant direct effect on this sense of loss. These four variables, the sense of loss, marital intimacy, pre-operative symptoms and spouse's support, were identified as relatively important variables. The results of this study suggested that there is needed to determine if nursing intervention would alleviate this sense of loss and promote a greater quality of life in women who have had hysterectomies.

• Korean Journal of Culture and Social Issue
• /
• v.22 no.4
• /
• pp.595-622
• /
• 2016

This study aims to understand the process of family reunion of the ex-offenders. To this end, Korea Rehabilitation Agency under Ministry of Justice and Healthy Family Support Center conducted intensive interviews with ex-offenders, their families and with 8 counselors who are in charge of ex-offenders and their families' residential, psychological, and educational support. The data collected through the interviews were analyzed by Consensus Qualitative Research(COR). The followings are the results: the counselors found out that most of ex-offenders had experienced unhappy childhood which was lack of healthy relationship with their parents. Secondly, counselors noticed a common feature among the families of ex-offenders. The common feature was that they keep the fact that one of their parents was imprisoned to their children as a secret. Thirdly, through the data analysis, counselors could understand various factors that affect reunion of ex-offenders' families: the factors that helped successful reunion were ex-offenders' sense of responsibility, open and healthy communication among family members, and mutual understanding of being a good family member, whereas, irresponsible dependance to other family members, denier and avoidance from the family members against ex-offenders, and lost sense of being a family member were the factors that discouraged the reunion. It turned out that the kinds of crime that ex-offenders committed also affected family reunion. The processes of reunion were easier for those who served their time with fraud, embezzlement, whereas, it was much more challenging for those who served their time with rape, violence, or murder. Fourthly, counselors learned that "relaxation" is the key factor in the process of reunion of ex-offenders' families. They also emphasized that there should be thorough monitoring process before the intervention in the reunion process. This study contributes in terms of finding healthy ways of intervention with ex-offenders' families and developing programs that help ex-offenders to recover their relationship with their family.