J Korean Geriatr Psychiatry.  2019 Apr;23(1):1-5. 10.0000/jkgp.2019.23.1.1.

Frustrated Interpersonal Needs and Life Satisfaction in the Elderly Living Alone

• Park JY
• Kim SH
• Kim JH
• Bang YR
• Lee SY
• Lee JM
• Kim JY
• Lee MK
• Park JH

• KMID: 2447621
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.0000/jkgp.2019.23.1.1

Abstract

OBJECTIVE
This study aims to investigate differences between the elderly living alone and those living with others in frustrated interpersonal needs and life satisfaction. Also, we explore the effects of frustrated interpersonal needs on life satisfaction in the elderly living alone.
METHODS
The participants include 572 elderly people aged over 60 in Busan, Korea. Life satisfaction were evaluated by the Life Satisfaction Self-Rating Scale (LSRS) and frustrated interpersonal needs were measured by the Interpersonal Needs Questionnaire-Revised (INQ-R).
RESULTS
The overall LSRS scores were significantly lower in the elderly living alone (106.2±20.1) than living with others (115.3±13.9, p<0.001). The total INQ-R score was significantly lower in the elderly living alone (73.8±12.1) than those living with others (76.9±12.0, p<0.05). As a result of multiple regression analysis, we came to know that frustrated interpersonal needs were factors affecting life satisfaction in living alone group.
CONCLUSION
The results of present study suggest that the elderly living alone are more likely to have poor life satisfaction and frustrated interpersonal needs. Also, frustrated interpersonal needs are related to life satisfaction. Thus, it is necessary to establish the social support system such as social isolation prevention and interpersonal relationship development.

Keyword

Interpersonal needs; Life satisfaction; Elderly; Living alone