The study of friendship network and psychological support on life satisfaction of the elderly residents

초록

This study aims to examine the friendship network and psychological support among the residents in private residential home for the elderly, and to look at what effects it has upon life satisfaction of the elderly. The result of the examination is expected to be able to provide meaningful implications to improve life quality of the elderly residents. This research has conducted a one-to-one survey with 135 elderly residents in a private residential home for the elderly, located in suburban area. The findings of this study can be summarized as follows. First, within socio-demographic variables, gender difference entails the most visible disparity in friendship network and psychological support within the institution. Male elderly has maintained a friendship network which is weaker than that of female elderly in every aspect of the network, such as a number of hours spent with the friends, a number of participating activities, the degree of emotional support perceived from their friends, and a number of the friends who can provide financial assistance or provide nurse care. Second, the degree of life satisfaction of the elderly residents is positively related to a number of hours spent with the friends and the amount of emotional support perceived from the friends, with latter having more powerful influence on life satisfaction. Based on the findings of the study, the implications of social work practice, policy, and future research are discussed.

키워드