A Study on the Powerlessness, Self-Esteem, and Family Support of Elderly Home Residents

Cho, Kyung Soon; Lee, Kang Yi; Kim, Soon Yi

Abstract

This study was designed and undertaken to find out the degree of powerlessness, self-esteem and family support of elderly home residents and to determine the relationship between powerlessness, self-esteem and family support. The data were collected from October 1st to 20th, 1998. The subjects in this study were 271 elderly home residents over the age 60 living in Taejon city. The study tool for measuring powerlessness was developed by S.E.Chung(1998), the other for measuring self-esteem, was a self-esteem scale developed by Rosenberg, and the tool for measuring family support was developed by Choi(1983), Cobb(1976) and Kang(1984). Data were analysed for percentage, mean, t-test, ANOVA and Peason-correlation coefficients using the SPSS program. The results of this study were as follows ; 1. The degree of powerlessness, self-esteem and family support was scored avove the median. 2. The relationship between powerlessness and self-esteem revealed a no significant inverse correlation, but powerlessness and family support, showed a significant inverse correlation, and self-esteem and family support, registered a very statistically significant correlation. 3. The general characteristics showing the differences of the elderly' powerlessness were sex, one' s health of state compared to other elderly' and living expense load. These yielded statistically very significant results. 4. The general characteristics showing the differences of the elderly' self-esteem were sex, state of ownership of a house, age, religion, one's health of state compared to other elderly'. Among these, sex and state of ownership of a house revealed statistically very significant differences, also age, religion and one's health of state produced statistically significant differences. 5. The general characteristics showing the differences of the elderly' family support were sex, state of ownership of a house, having some diagnosed diseases or not and one's health of state compared to other elderly' health. These also showed statistically significant differences. In conclusion, the factors influencing the elderly' powerlessness, self-esteem and family support generally were age, sex, their economic independence and health of state(which included especially having a diagnosed disease). Also, the family support was needed to reduce their powerlessness and to have their self-esteem highly.