Journal of Korean Gerontological Nursing 2009;11(2):204-215.

독거노인의 자아통합감 영향요인

김희경, 이현주, 주영주, 박순미

Abstract

Purpose
The purpose of this study was to identify the degree of perceived health status, social activities, life satisfaction, powerlessness, loneliness, social support and ego integrity of elders living alone, compare the level of ego integrity according to general characteristics, analyze the relationship of the variables, and examine whether ego integrity is influenced by the related factors. Results of the study are to be used raise the quality of life of elders living alone. Method: Participants were 104 elderly living alone and data collection was done from July 24 to August 20, 2008. Descriptive statistics, t-test, ANOVA, Pearson correlation coefficient and stepwise multiple regression with the SPSS program were used to analyze the data.
Results
The level of ego integrity of elders living alone was 3.19 with a possible range of 1 to 5. The correlation factors for ego integrity included perceived health status (r=.298, p=.000), social activity (r=.384, p=.000), life satisfaction (r=.381, p=.000), powerlessness (r=-.226, p=.000), loneliness (r=-.648, p=.000), and social support (r=.733, p=.000). The most powerful predictor of ego integrity was social support. Social support (54.3%), the number of children (4.2%), and social activity (13.8%) accounted for 71.0% of ego integrity.
Conclusion
The results of this study suggest that social support, the number of children, and social activity should be considered in developing ego integrity programs designed for elders living alone.

Key words: 자아, 노인, 사회적 지지, 외로움, 건강상태