Korean J Rehabil Nurs.  2000 Dec;3(2):181-195.

A Study on the Effects of the Factors on the Older Adults' Memory Performance

• Min HS

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to find out the effects of personal characteristics. social support, depression, and metamemory on the older adults' memory performances. The subjects of the study consisted of 95 older adults over the age of 60 who are living in Busan. Some data were collected by means of the interview method, using questionnaires for metamemory (MIA questionnaire by Dixon. et al., 1988). and depression(GDS by Yesavage and Sheikl, 1986), social resoueces(Duke university, 1978), family support(Hyun-Sook Kang, 1985)' The other data were collected by the testing method on the memory performance such as the immeadiate word recall task, the delayed word recall task, the word recognition task(Elderly Verbal Learning Test by Kyung Mi Choi, 1998), and the face recognition task(Face Recognition Task tool developed by Hye-Sook Min). The results of this study were as follows: 1. The level of metamemory is 3.4 points in the 5 point scale, the grades of the task and the achievement are relatively high and the grades of the change, the control, and the anxiety are relatively low in the sub-concepts. 2. Metamemory have significant relation with age(r=-.44), educational attainment(r=.46), depression(r=-.58), family support(r=.20). social resources(r= .20). 3. The significant variables to predict older adults metamemory are educational attainment(22%). sex(11%), age(8.3%), depression(4.7%), and illness state(3%). 4. The strong variables to predict memory performances are metamemory, age, depression. social resources, educational, attainment, ilness state, and limitation of daily living activity related to illness. In conclusion, the enhancement strategies of metamemory and the social support and the prevention or reduction of depression are necessary to increase older adults' memory performances. Ultimately in this respect nurses' roles are very important in developing and performing some intervention programs for old adults' memory improvement, which have significant meanings in the fie1d of nursing science.

MeSH Terms

Activities of Daily Living
Adult
Anxiety
Busan
Depression
Humans
Memory*
Nursing
Surveys and Questionnaires
Verbal Learning