여성노인의 사회적 지지와 우울과의 관계 = Relationship between Depression and Social Support in Elderly Women

다국어 초록 (Multilingual Abstract)

The purpose of this study is to examine relationships between the levels of depression and of social support in older women. The subjects consisted of 204 women aged 60 years and above who were living at home. The data were collected by questionnaire with interview from March 10 to April 5, 2001. Data were analysed by descriptive statistics and t-test, ANOVA and Pearson correlation coefficients with SPSSWIN program.
The result were summarized as follows :
1. The average score of depression was 42.26 out of 60. And the average score of social support was 45.30 out of 80.
2. Those general characteristics related to depression and social support were marital status, educational level, and economic status.
3. Perceived social support in the aspects of emotional support and self-esteem showed a significant, negative correlation with depression.
A negative correlation was observed between perceived self-esteem and depression.
It was found that social support had been the most important factor influencing depression.
This suggests that those older women with greater perceived social support may be more likely to have a psycho-social well-being. Thus, in taking care of depression in older women, it is necessary to assess their social support system and to use actively social support network with looking at the family context.