J Nurs Acad Soc.  1992 Dec;22(4):552-568.

A Study on Social Support and the Quality of Life in the Elderly

• Chae SW
• Oh KO

Abstract

Recent improvements in the standard of living, national income and medical care, and a decline in the infant death rate which have occurred related to economic growth and modernization, have led to a longer average life-span and a higher ratio of elderly people in the total population, Therefore, not only in the field of nursing science, issues concerning the elderly have been given increasing interest. A great deal of effort has been spent on increasing the quality of life for elderly people. The study was conducted to analyze the correlation between social support and quality of life. The sample consisted of III subjects residing at home and 107 subjects residing in institutions all of whom were over 65 years of age. The data collection period was from October 23, 1990 to January 26, 1991. Social support was measured using the Norbeck social Support Questionnaire developed by Norbeck, translated by Oh, Ka Sil and quality of life was measured using the QOL scale developed by No, You Ja. Data were analyzed using percentages, t-test, Pearson Correlation Coefficient and ANOVA. The results of this study are as follows : 1. There was a statistically significant difference in the level of social support between the two groups(t=-8.83, P<.001). The elderly at home reported a much higher level of social support. 2. There was a statistically significant difference in the level of QOL between the two groups(t=-5.77, P<.001). The elderly at home reported a much more positive quality of life. 3. There was a positive correlation between social support and QOL for the elderly at home and it was statistically significant(r=.32, P<.001). 4. There was a positive collection between social support and QOL for the elderly in institutions and it was also statistically significant (r=.19, P<.05). 5. The relationship between the general characteristics of the elderly at home and the variables of social support and of QOL were as follows ; 1) according to sex(t=10.57, P<.01) and the number of offspring(F=6.19, P<.01), there was a statistically significant difference in social support. 2) according to amount of Pocket money, there was a statistically significant difference in QOL(F=2.98, P<.05). 6. The relationship between the general characteristics of the elderly institutions and the two variables were as follows ; 1) according the sex(t=6.24, P<.05), the number of offspring(F=6.16, P<.001) and religion(F=2.58, P<.05), there was a statistically significant difference in social support. 2) according the religion, there was a statistically significant difference in QOL(F=2.90, P<.05). In conclusion, it can be said that social support is an important variable related to QOL in the elderly and that social support levels are higher for the elderly residing at home. Therefore, more specific and objective approaches and efforts are needed to effectively use resources to maintain the elderly at home and to enhance social support available to the elderly in institutions and thereby increase QOL regardless of residence.

MeSH Terms

Aged*
Data Collection
Economic Development
Humans
Infant
Mortality
Nursing
Quality of Life*
Surveys and Questionnaires
Social Change
Socioeconomic Factors