Factors Influencing Life Satisfaction the Elderly living alone

Lee, Myung Suk

Abstract

PURPOSE
This study was to identify factors that influence the life satisfaction of solitude elderly. METHOD: The subject were 100 homebound the elderly living alone(age=76.58) who were live in M city located in Jeollanamdo. Data were collected from June 1 to September 30, 2002. The instrument used for this study were a survey of general characteristics, residential environment, MUNSH, Health Self-rating scale, ADL, loneliness and POMS. The data was analyzed using descriptive statistics, t-test, and stepwise Multiple Regression. RESULT: In general the perceived health status was poor, but ADL was moderate., loneliness was high but mood and life satisfaction were low. In regression analysis, life satisfaction was significantly influenced by mood(51%), ADL(4%), loneliness(3%), and perceived health status(1%). These variables explained 59% of the variances in the life satisfaction.CONCLUSION: The result suggests that health care professionals should give more attention to helping the elderly raise their life-satisfaction. A further study is necessary to find out an effective nursing intervention for a better those in a comfortable residential environment, decreasing the loneliness and to promoting the mood for those elderly who live alone.