The Relations between Self-esteem, Self-care and Life Satisfaction in the Home-dwelling Elderly

Kim, Bong Im

Abstract

PURPOSE
The present study was conducted to identify the relations between self-esteem. self-care and life satisfaction in the home-dwelling elderly.
METHODS
The subjects were 106 persons aged over 65 in J city. Data were collected from April to June 2005 by a questionnaire survey. The instruments used in this study are the self-esteem scale developed by Rosenberg(1965), the self-care scale by Hwang (2000) and the life-satisfaction scale by Choi (1986). Data were analyzed through t-test, ANOVA. least significant difference, Pearson's correlation coefficient and stepwise regression analysis using SPSS-Win 10.0.
RESULTS
Self-esteem and self-care were in a positive correlation with each other (r=.464, p=.000). Self-care and life-satisfaction showed a significant correlation with each other (r=.222 p=.031), and a significant correlation was found between self-esteem and life-satisfaction (r=.506, p=.000). The most significant predictors influencing life-satisfaction were self-esteem, self-care and perceived health condition, and the three factors accounted for 47.7% of variance in life satisfaction in the home-dwelling elderly.
CONCLUSION
These results suggest that self-esteem, self-care and life-satisfaction can be important factors the quality of life of the elderly in long-term care. Therefore nurses can plan nursing interventions to promote self-esteem, self-care and life satisfaction of the home-dwelling elderly.