Journal of Korean Gerontological Nursing 2004;6(1):91-98.

노인의 외로움과 건강행위 및 자아존중감의 관계

박영주, 정혜경, 안옥희, 신행우

Abstract

Purpose
This study was done to examine the relationship of health behavior, loneliness and self-esteem in elderly people. The results will contribute to the promotion of quality of life for elderly people. Method : The participants, 135 people over 60 years of age, were interviewed during January and February 2004. A questionnaire was used to collect the data. The measurement tools were the Loneliness scale developed by Kim (1997), the Self-esteem scale developed by Rosenberg and translated by Jeon (1974), the Health behavior assessment developed by Choi and Kim (1997). The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, t-test, Pearson's correlation coefficients ANOVA, and multiple regression analysis.
Result
The results of this study are as follows : Family type had a statistically significant correlation with health behavior, loneliness, and self-esteem in elderly people. Monthly income had a statistically significant correlation with health behavior in elderly people. Perceived health status had a statistically significant correlation with health behavior, loneliness and self-esteem in elderly people. There was a significant correlation between loneliness and self-esteem (r=-.531, p<.001), loneliness and health behavior (r=-.623, p<.001), and health behavior and self-esteem (r= .500, p<.001). Stepwise multiple regression analysis revealed that the predicting factors of health behavior were loneliness (38.8%) and self-esteem (4%).
Conclusion
In conclusion, there exists a close correlation between loneliness, self-esteem, and health behavior. Especially, loneliness influences not only self-esteem but also health behavior in elderly people. The mediation of loneliness is a necessity for the improvement of physical and psychological health behavior.

Key words: 노인, 외로움, 자아존중감, 건강행위