Korean Journal of Human Ecology (한국생활과학회지)

Korean Association of Human Ecology (한국생활과학회)
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The Effects of Structured Social Network Types and Their Relationship to Quality of Life Satisfaction among Elderly Singles and Couples

단독가구 노인의 구조적 사회관계망 유형과 관계의 질이 생활만족도에 미치는 영향

  • 박경란 (인제대학교 생활상담복지학부.인간환경복지연구소)
  • Received : 2012.09.11
  • Accepted : 2012.10.12
  • Published : 2012.10.31
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Abstract

This study examined structured social network types and their relationship to quality on life satisfaction of older adults. Respondents were 418 adults aged 60 or older living alone or as couples. The data was analyzed using K-means cluster analysis. Four networks types were identified: diverse, friend-neighbor focused, family focused, and restricted. Life satisfaction was highest for individuals in the diverse network group and lowest for individuals in the restricted network group. Stepwise multiple regression analysis indicated that life satisfaction of the elderly was affected by the diverse network, family focused network, the relationship quality with children, the relationship quality with neighbors, and the relationship quality with relatives. Results suggested that having diverse social network in close proximity is very important in old age and structural network types may have important practical implications for improving the quality of life among the elderly.

Keywords

Acknowledgement

Supported by : 인제연구장학재단

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