Journal of Korean Gerontological Nursing 2007;9(2):143-153.

입원노인의 삶의 질, 죽음 불안, 영적 안녕에 관한 연구

김연숙, 권영은, 성기순, 곽혜련

Abstract

Purpose
The purpose of this study was to provide appropriate spiritual and comprehensive nursing care for elders admitted to hospital by identifying factors that affect their quality of life, anxiety about death, and spiritual well being and by identifying correlations between these variables. Method: From April 23 to June 30, 2007, 76 patients 65 years of age or older, admitted to the Bobath Memorial Hospital were enrolled in the study. The elders were questioned about their quality of life, anxiety about death, spiritual well being, and their demographic characteristics. The data were analyzed using t-test, ANOVA, and correlation coefficient with SPSS for Window version 10.1.
Result
This study shows that for most of the elders, quality of life was found to be higher than average at 3.29 out of 5.00. Also, anxiety about death was found to be higher than average at 2.45 out of 4.00. However, spiritual well being was found to be lower at 2.75 out of 6.00. The study showed that as quality of life improves, anxiety about death was reduced. There was no direct relation between quality of life and spiritual well being. There was no direct relation between anxiety about death and spiritual well being. Quality of life for elders was found to be related to gender (p=0.008), economic status (p=0.019), and relationship with family (p=0.000). Anxiety death was affected most by job (p= 0.024) and period of hospitalization (p=0.043). Spiritual well being was affected by education(p=0.014), religion (p=0.000), and children (p=0.028).
Conclusion
The purpose of the study was to improve nursing services for elders admitted to hospital to improve the quality of their lives and spiritual well being and to reduce anxiety about death.

Key words: 삶의 질, 죽음 불안, 영적 안녕