Meaning in Life Among the Elderly

Chang, Sung Ok; Patricia, M Burbank

Abstract

This study was attempted to explore meaning in life and it's relationship to problematic life events, health status and depression among older people. 198samples of elderly were over the age 60 (mean age=70.06) conveniently selected in Seoul, Korea. The data were collected through questionaires by interview with subjects from April, 1, 1999 to May 30, 1999. The research instuments were the main framework in the experiment. They involved meaning fulfillment and problematic life events which were developed by Burbank (1988) and short form geriatric depression scale(Sheikh & Yesavage, 1986). The data were analysed by SAS Program. The results are followed; 1. 172 lists were given out and had objects that would bring meaning to one's life. They were categrized as wishing for offsprings' prosperity, their relation with their grand-children, marriage of their offspring, health of family members, strong family ties, caring for the family, relation with husband, health for self, religious activity, helping others, individual hobbies, needs for growth such as writing, In the end, 50% of total list dealt with in the relationship with their family members. 2. The mean fulfillment of the subjects was 38.31(SD=13.58) with a range of 12-60. The degree fulfillment varied according to the subjects' characteristics such as age group(F=4.44, 0P=.0008), education status (F=6.44, P=.0001), economic status (F=10.27, P=.0001), marrital status (F=9.12, P=.0002) and religious background (F=3.68, P=.006). 3. According to the pearson correlation, analysis significant variables were found between meaning fulfillment and health(r=.47,P=.0001), depression and the number of problematic life events for a life time (r=.147, P=.04), the stress score of problamatic life events for the past one year and the stress score of problematic life events for a life time was r=.43, P=.002, meaning fulfillment and the stress score of problamatic life events r=-.26, P=.04, depression and meaning fulfillment r=-.70, P=.0001 and depression and health r=-.521, P=.0001. 4. According to multiful regression analysis, depression was found as a most predictable variable for health(F=12.51, P=.001).