Korean Journal of Environment and Ecology (한국환경생태학회지)

Korean Society of Environment and Ecology (한국환경생태학회)
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Gwang-Ju Citizens' Attitudes towards Tree Burials and Intentions to Select Tree Burials

도시민의 수목장에 대한 태도 및 수목장 선택의도 - 광주시민을 대상으로 -

  • 김상미 (전남대학교 농업생명과학대학 임학과) ;
  • 김상오 (전남대학교 농업생명과학대학 임학과)
  • Received : 2011.08.26
  • Accepted : 2012.01.04
  • Published : 2012.02.28
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Abstract

Governments and related agencies have made efforts to introduce tree burials (TB) as an alternative to solve the problems involved in the traditional funeral manners. Citizens' TB selection rates are, however, still very low. It is important to understand citizens' perceptions and attitudes towards TB to make people more actively participate in TB. This study examined citizens' knowledge, behavioral belief, attitudes towards selecting TB, intentions to select TB, and their relationship with citizens' socio-demographic characteristics. A total of 320 citizens in Gwang-ju, Korea, completed the survey during May, 2011. Results showed that 65.3% of respondents were aware of TB, and many of them (47.6%) obtained information from TV/Radio. Age, education level, marital status and birth order were related with knowledge about TB. Respondents with higher age or higher education level tended to have higher knowledge rates. The married or the non-eldest sons also had higher knowledge rates. Respondents with higher age or higher education level, and the married tended to have more positive attitudes towards selecting TB and to rate 'unconventional funeral customs' high. Respondents with higher age, education level or married respondents tended to have higher intention to select TB. The knowledge level about TB was positively related with attitudes about TB selection and intention to select TB. The results were discussed and some ways to promote TB were suggested.

전통장례방법의 문제 해소를 위한 대안으로 제시된 수목장의 국내 정착화를 위한 정부와 관계기관의 노력에도 불구하고 시민들의 수목장 선택 비율은 여전히 매우 낮은 실정이다. 시민들의 보다 적극적인 수목장 참여를 유도하기 위해서는 그들의 수목장에 대한 인식과 태도에 대한 이해가 필요하다. 본 연구는 수목장에 대한 지식, 수목장 선택 행동결과에 대한 신념, 수목장 선택행동에 대한 태도 및 수목장 선택의도와 더불어 이들 변수와 인구사회학적 특성과의 관계를 조사하기 위해 시행되었다. 2011-5월 중 광주시민을 대상으로 한 설문조사를 통해 데이터를 수집하였으며 총 320명의 답변이 본 연구의 분석을 위해 이용되었다. 분석결과, 응답자의 65.3%가 수목장에 대해 알고 있는 것으로 나타났으며 이 중 47.6%가 TV/Radio를 통해 정보를 입수하는 것으로 조사되었다. 연령, 교육수준, 결혼여부, 장남여부는 수목장에 대한 지식수준과 관련이 있었다. 연령과 교육수준이 높을수록 그리고 기혼자와 비장남이 수목장에 대한 지식수준이 높은 것으로 나타났다. 연령과 교육수준이 높을수록, 그리고 기혼자가 수목장 선택행동에 대한 보다 긍정적 태도를 가지고 있었으며 관습 탈피적 경향이 강한 것으로 분석되었다. 연령과 교육수준이 높을수록, 그리고 비장남이 수목장 선택의도가 높게 조사되었다. 수목장에 대한 지식수준은 수목장 선택행동에 대한 태도 및 선택의도와 긍정적 관계가 있었다. 결과에 대한 토의와 더불어 수목장 선택행동 촉진을 위한 몇 가지 대안을 제시하였다.

Keywords

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