노년기 우울증 원인에 대한 경로분석

다국어 초록 (Multilingual Abstract)

The purpose of this research was to identify major factors that affect geriatric depression among the elderly. In the survey research, independent variables include socio-demographic factors (age, education level, religion), self-rated economic status, health status (self-rated health status, activities of daily living, and numbers of chronic diseases), stressful life events. Social support is considered as a buffering effect on depression. Social support consists of three concepts: instrumental, emotional, and reciprocal social supports. In order to develop a preventive mental health program for depression, this research attempts to find the mechanisms other than the influence of factors on depression. In this sense, the research model postulates the sense of control as preceding cognitive process of depression. For this, a path analysis is employed. The results show that activities of daily living (ADL) and self-reported health status have a significant effect on depression among the independent variables. Both two factors also affect the sense of control. Especially, ADL the strongest effects on a sense of control. Social support has significant buffering effects on depression, and also has a positive effects on a sense of control. The findings show that a sense of control mediates the process of developing depression among the elderly. And social support buffers the stressors in terms of enhancing a sense of control at large. These findings contribute to a better understanding of developing depression, and suggest effective intervention programs for treatment or prevention of depression among the elderly.