동·별거 형태가 한국노인의 심리적 행복감에 미치는 영향

다국어 초록 (Multilingual Abstract)

The purpose of this study is to identify living arrangements, socio-demographic characteristics, and intergenerational relations that influence the psychological well-being of Korean elders. The predictors of depression among Korean elders are identified as age, health, living standard, quality of relationship with their children, and two interaction terms involving living arranngements and marital status, and aid received and sex. Korean elderly persons are more likely to be depressed when they have insufficient capacity for self-support, as the result of old age, frail health, and limited economic resources inadequate to sustain independent living. Among intergenerational relationship variables, neither direct /indirect contact, proximity, aid given, nor familistic norms influence depression. The finding of a significant interaction between living arrangements and marital status suggests that coresidence reduces depression for the unmarried, but depression among married elders is not significantly related to living arrangements. Another significant interaction term is found for the effect of aid received and sex on the depression of elders : the negative effect of aid received on depression, which is slightly greater for females than males. These findings in the study suggest that social welfare policies designed to improve the psychological well-being of the aged should concentrate on increasing economic security and health care. In addition, specific measures for enhancing the quality of life of those elders who live alone should be considered.