중년기 여성 수도자의 자아정체감, 생의 의미수준과 중년기 위기감과의 관계

목차 (Table of Contents)

• The purpose of this research is to promote healthy, joy-filled apostolate and religious life by investigating the relations of self-identity, perception of meaning in one''s life, and mid-life crisis among the middle-aged women religious in Korea.
• A survey was conducted with 533 religious sisters from 38 to 60 years of age living in Korea, using the questionnaires related to self-identity, PIL(purpose in life) Test, and mid-life crisis.
• The statistical package, SPSS 12.0 Program was employed to analyze the data of the survey: Cronbach''s ? coefficient, frequency, percentage, mean and standard deviation were computed, and then One-Way ANOVA, t-test, Duncan Test, Pearson''s correlation and stepwise multiple regression analysis were conducted.
• The results of this research are as follows;
• First, the group with higher level sense of self-identity experiences significantly lower level of mid-life crisis than the one with lower level sense of self-identity. It demonstrates that self-acceptance and self-awareness, in particular, affect one''s sense of mid-life crisis. In other words, middle-aged religious sisters who possess positive self-image and are able to accept themselves as they are and clearly recognize their physical, psychological traits, experience mid-life crisis less seriously.
• Second, the group that expresses higher degree of meaningfulness of their life, experiences less mid-life crisis. It seems that the more satisfied religious sisters are with their living situations, which is one of the subordinate factors constituting meaningful life, the more psychologically secure they feel and more satisfied they are with their roles and their religious life.
• Third, the group with healthy self-identity expressed greater sense of meaningfulness in their lives. That is to say, the sisters who exhibit higher level of self-understanding and self-trust, seem to hold positive world view and they also enjoy their religious life with greater satisfaction.
• Fourth, it is revealed that the socio-demographic variables do not have grave influence on mid-life crisis among the middle-aged religious sisters. Older sisters with longer religious life experience demonstrate higher level of psychological security, greater capacity for self-acceptance, and self -knowledge, and positive, hopeful outlook on life. This may be the fruit of steadfast prayer and contemplative life, which are the characteristics of religious life.