Korean J Women Health Nurs.  2002 Mar;8(1):69-84.

A Structural Model for Depression in Middle-aged Women

• Park GJ
• Lee KH

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to develope and test the structural model for depression in middle-aged women. A hypothetical model was constructed on the basis of previous studies and a review of literatures. The conceptual framework was built around eight constructs. Exogenous variables included in this model were volunteer activity, health status & economic status. Endogenous variables were meaning of life, self-esteem, perceived life stress & depression. Empirical data for testing the hypothetical model was collected using a self-report questionnaire from 216 middle-aged women in Pusan City. The Data was collected from May to June, 1999. Reliability of the seven instruments tested with Cronbach's alpha was ranged from .86-.94. For the data analysis, SPSS 7.5 WIN Program and LISREL 8.12 WIN Program were used for descriptive statistics and covariance structural analysis. The results of covariance structure analysis were as follows: 1. The hypothetical model showed a good fit with the empirical data. [chi2/df =2.87(p=.72), GFI=1.00, AGFI=.98, RMSR=.025, NFI=.99, standardized residuals (-1.44~1.44) ]. 2. To heighten for the parsimony and fitness of the model, a modified model was constructed by deleting according to the criteria of statistical significance and meaning. 3. The modified model also showed a good fit with the data. [chi2 =5.26(01=7,p=.63), GFI=.99, AGFl=.97, RMSR=.025, NFI=.99, standardized reslduals (-1.50~1.45) ]
Results
of the testing of the hypothesis were as follows : 1. Self-esteem(beta42=-.48, t=-5.64) had a negative and perceived life stress(beta43 =.20, t=3.21)had a positive direct effect on depression. Meaning of life had a negative direct(beta41=-.17, t=-2.19) and a negative indirect effect through self- esteem on depression. Volunteer activity had a negative indirect effect through meaning of life, meaning of life and self-esteem on depression. Health status had a negative direct and a negative indirect effect through meaning of life, meaning of life and self-esteem on depression. Economic status had a negative indirect effect through perceived life stress on depression. Self-esteem was the most significant variable. 2. Volunteer activity(gamma11=.43, t=6.78) and health status(gamma12=.35, t=4.88) had positive direct effect on meaning of life. 3. Meaning of life(beta21=.50, t=6.53) had a positive direct effect on self-esteem. Volunteer activity had a positive indirect effect through meaning of life on self-esteem. Health status had a positive direct(gamma22=.18, t=2.23) and a indirect effect through meaning of life on self-esteem. Meaning of life was the most significant variable.

MeSH Terms

Busan
Depression*
Female
Humans
Models, Structural*
Surveys and Questionnaires
Statistics as Topic
Stress, Psychological
Volunteers