Development of Korean Elderly Life Quality Scale

Choi, Soo Jeong

Abstract

PURPOSE: This research was designed to develop an instrument that can be used for measuring of the quality of life for the elderly in Korea. METHOD: Subjects were 2,110 aged people, residing in Seoul and Kyeungi-Do. In developing this instrument, the researcher first established a conceptual framework based on the literature review and interview and open questionnaire. The collected data were analyzed using the SPSS-WIN program. For the component factors of the measuring instrument, a factor analysis method and item analysis was used. The reliability of the scale was tested by Cronbach's alpha. RESULT: 1) The results of the analysis of the 32 items making up the instrument were classified into the following 4 factors: life stability, easy of resource utility, health and affection in family, establishment of support- base. 2) The reliability of the instrument for the quality of life was 0.952 (Cronbach's alpha). In the factor analysis Cronbach's alpha correlations for the 4 factors ranged from 0.736 to 0.949.
CONCLUSION
This scale could be adequately applied in assessing the quality of life for the elderly in Korea. And the results of this scale in a study can contribute to the promotion of quality of life for the elderly.