DOI QR코드

DOI QR Code

The Effect of Sexual Life of Elderly and Emotional Intimacy between Spouses on Life Satisfaction

노인의 성생활과 배우자 간 정서적 친밀감이 생활만족도에 미치는 영향

  • 주현숙 (고려대학교 사회복지학과)
  • Received : 2021.05.06
  • Accepted : 2021.06.04
  • Published : 2021.06.30

Abstract

This study analyzed 'how the elderly's sexual relations and marital intimacy affect the elderly's life satisfaction'. Interviews and visits were conducted for 11 days targeting 309 elderly people aged 65 years or older. As a result of the analysis, 51% were male, 49% were female, and 84.7% were in their 60s and 70s. Approximately 60.1% of them were religious, of which 24.7% were protestants. In the region, 42.9% lived in rural and fishing villages. The percentage of those who answered that their health status was above average was 87.6%. Regarding the frequency of sexual life, 41.4% of the respondents said they had sex once or twice a month. Males had a higher frequency of sexual life than females. A lower age, higher education, living in small and medium-sized cities, better health status, and higher income level were associated with a higher frequency of sexual life. The factors that showed a significant difference in sex life satisfaction were gender, region, and health status. Those with religion as Protestantism, residing in a small or medium-sized city or over, with better health and higher income levels were found to have higher life satisfaction. The satisfaction with sex life had a positive correlation with emotional intimacy (p<.01) and life satisfaction (p<.01). Based on the above results, the sexual life satisfaction of the elderly has a positive effect on life satisfaction, and emotional intimacy between spouses had a positive influence on life satisfaction.

본 연구는 '노인의 성관계와 부부친밀감이 노인의 생활 만족에 어떻게 영향을 미치는가'를 분석하고자 한 것이다. 서울특별시 마포구, 경기도 남양주시와 가평군에 거주하는 만 65세 이상 유배우자가 있는 노인 309명을 대상으로 2019년 10월 10일부터 10월20일까지 11일 동안 면접 및 방문 조사를 실시하였다. 분석 결과 남성 51%, 여성은 49%로 나이는 60, 70대가 전체의 84.7%로 나타났으며, 학력은 초졸과 중졸의 비율이 각각 26%로 가장 높았다. 종교가 있는 사람이 60.1%, 그중 개신교가 24.7%이다. 지역은 농어촌에 사는 비율이 42.9%이고. 건강 상태는 보통 이상이라고 답한 비율이 87.6%로 나타났다. 성생활빈도에 있어서는 1개월에 1~2회 성생활을 한다고 답변한 비율이 41.4%로 에 달했으며, 남성이 여성보다, 연령은 낮을수록, 학력은 높을수록, 지역은 중소도시 이상에 사는 노인들이, 건강상태는 좋을수록 그리고 소득수준이 높을수록 그 빈도가 높은 것으로 조사되었다. 성생활만족도에서 남성이, 중소도시 이상에 거주, 건강상태가 좋을수록 성생활만족도가 높게 나타났으며, 유의미한 차이를 보였다. 배우자 간 정서적친밀감은 농·어촌 지역에 거주, 건강상태가 좋지 않을수록 높게 나타났다. 생활만족도의 경우 개신교와 같은 종교를 가지고 있는 경우, 중소도시 이상에 거주, 건강상태가 좋을수록 그리고 소득수준이 높을수록 높게 나타났다. 상관관계 결과 성생활 만족도는 정서적친밀감(p<.01), 생활 만족도(p<.01)와 양의 상관관계를 가지는 것으로 나타났다. 위의 결과를 토대로 노인들의 성생활 만족도가 생활만족도에 긍정적 영향을 보이고, 배우자 간 정서적 친밀감도 생활만족도에 긍정적 영향을 끼친다고 볼 수 있다.

Keywords

References

  1. K. S. Park, H. S. Chung, "Sexual health and sexual activity in the elderly", J Korean Med Assoc, Vol.62, No.6, pp.301-307, 2017. DOI: https://doi.org/10.5392/JKCA.2017.17.02.573
  2. S. T. Lindau , E. O. Laumann, W. Levinson, L. J. Waite, " Synthesis of scientific disciplines in pursuit of health: the Interactive Biopsychosocial Model", Perspect Biol Med, Vol.46, No.3, pp.74-86, 2003.
  3. C. H. Park, A Studay on the Solution for the Sexual Issue of the Aged, Master's thesis, Department of Social Welfare, Korea, pp.10-16, 2009.
  4. L. H. Joe, "An Exploratory Study on Sexuality of Elderly People", Korean Journal of Gerontological Social Welfare, Vol.52, No.1, pp.391-417, 2011.
  5. J. H. Kim, J. S. Yun, "Effects of Depression and Quality of Life on Suicidal Intention of the Elderly", Journal of The Korean Society of Integrative Medicine, Vol. 8, No. 4, pp.67-77, 2020. DOI: https://doi.org/10.15268/ksim.2020.8.4.067
  6. Alfred C Kinsey, Wardell R Pomeroy, Clyde E Martin, "Sexual behavior in the human male. 1948", Am J Public Health, Vol.93, No.6, pp.894-898, 2003. DOI: https://doi.org/10.2105/ajph.93.6.894
  7. S. I. Shin, Y. H. Kim, "A meta-analysis on related variables of elders' quality of life", Korea Journal of Counseling. Vol.14, No.6, pp.3673-3690, 2013. DOI:http://dx.doi.org/10.15703/kjc.14.6.201312.3673
  8. Christenson, C.V., & Gagnon, J.H., "Sexual behavior in a group of elder women", Journal of Gerontology, Vol.20,No.1, pp.351-356, 1965.
  9. Masters, W .H . & Johnson, V.E., Human Sexual Response, Little Brown publisher, Boston, 1966.
  10. D. S. Son, Y. R. Park, "An exploratory study on sex in later life from a gender perspective", Korean Journal of Gerontological Social Welfare, Vol.63, No.1, pp.229-256, 2014. DOI:https://doi.org/10.21194/kjgsw..63.201403.229
  11. S. G. Noh, Elderly loneliness, poverty, disease, and sex, p.354, Korea Institute of Business Management Publishers, pp. 240-250, 2015.
  12. S. S. Lee, S. J. Lee, "Effects of older adults' sexual perception on marital intimacy and subjective happines", Journal of Family Relations, Vol.23, No.4, pp.89-110, 2019. DOI:https://doi.org/10.21321/jfr.23.4.89
  13. M. S. Kweon, (An) exploratory study on sexuality of elderly people, Doctoral dissertation, Yonsei University Department of Nursing, Korea, pp.10-16, 2002.
  14. I. J. Yun, The Influence of Marital Attachment Security, Self Disclosure, and Perceived Spousal Support on Marital Intimacy, Master's thesis, Department of Family and Housing Studies Graduate School of Yeungnam University, 2016.
  15. E. H. Hwang. S. J. Shin, "Relationship between Life Satisfaction and Sexuality among Community-dwelling Elderly", Korean J Adult Nurs , Vol. 24, No. 2. pp.183-190, 2012. DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.7475/kjan.2012.24.2.183
  16. D. H. Lim, K. A. Park, "Effects of the Senior Citizens' Perception of Sex on the Life Satisfaction", The Journal of the Korea Contents Association, Vol. 18, No. 8. pp.187-130, 2018. https://doi.org/10.5392/JKCA.2018.18.08.187
  17. Douglas T. Hall K, E.Nougaim, "An examination of Maslow's need hierarchy in an organizational setting", Elsevier, Vol. 3, No.1, pp.12-35, 1968. DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/0030-5073(68)90024-X
  18. H. J. Shin, J. I. Kim, "Meaning of Happiness Based on ERG Theory in Middle-Aged Korean Women", Korean J Women Health Nurs, Vol.25, No.3, pp.315-328, 2019. DOI:https://doi.org/10.4069/kjwhn.2019.25.3.315
  19. D. S. Na, Y. D. Kim, "The Impact of the Elderly's Sexual Life and Sexual Attitude on Their Life Satisfaction", Korean Journal of Gerontological Social Welfare, Vol. 52, No.1, pp.185-203, 2011.
  20. Barber, H. R. K. 1996, "Sexuality and the art of arousal in the geriatric woman." Clinical Obstetrics and Gynecology, Vol. 39, No.4, pp.970-973, 1996. https://doi.org/10.1097/00003081-199612000-00025
  21. Verner, A., Stewart, C., "Adolescent sexual behavior in middle America revisited: 1970-1973.", Journal of Marriage and the Family, Vol.36, pp.728-735, 1974. https://doi.org/10.2307/350355
  22. D. S. Kim, G. R. Hong, "Sexuality and Sexual Life Experience of Community Dwelling Older Adults", J Korean Gerontol Nurs Vol.18, No.3, pp. 128-137, 2016. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.17079/jkgn.2016.18.3.128
  23. E. Y. Choi, J. Y. Ha, "Perception of Sex Life and Sexual Desire Coping Behavior according to General Characteristics among the Spouseless Aged", Korean J Adult Nurs, Vol. 26, No. 1, pp.58-66, 2014. DOI: https://doi.org/10.7475/kjan.2014.26.1.58
  24. M. S. Jang, G. S. Park, "Factors Affecting Life Satisfaction for the Aged: From the Ecosystem", Health and Social Welfare Review, Vol. 32, Vol. 2, pp. 232-266, 2012. https://doi.org/10.15709/hswr.2012.32.2.232
  25. Hatfield, E., "The danger of intimacy", Communication, Intimacy, and close relationship, pp. 207-221, 1984.
  26. J. W. Jung, "Relationship between adult attachment and self-differentiation and marital satisfaction: Mediating effect of sexual and emotional intimacy", Psychological Type and Human Development, Vol. 17, No. 1. pp.1-21, 2016.
  27. Massey, R. F. The Assessment of sexual intimacy: A validity study, The University of Tennessee, Knoville. Doctor of Philosophy, 1999.
  28. B. J. Park, "Sexual Oppression and Conjugal Relations: A Case Study of Korean Rural Society During the Colonial Period", Korean Society for Cultural Anthropology, Vol. 37, No. 1. pp.41-72, 2004.
  29. S. J. Kim, S. Y, Kim, "A Study on the Relationship of Marital Intimacy, Depression, and Menopausal Symptoms in Middle-aged Women", Korean J Women Health Nurs, Vol. 19, Vol. 3, pp. 176-187, 2013. https://doi.org/10.4069/kjwhn.2013.19.3.176
  30. N. H. Lim, "Effects of Sex-Role Attitude of the Elderly Couples on Marital Satisfaction.", The Journal of the Korea Contents Association, Vol.16. No.1. pp. 230-240, 2016. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5392/JKCA.2016.16.01.230
  31. Y. O. Park, A Research of The Factors Influencing the Marital Intimacy Of The Elderly, Doctoral dissertation, Christian Graduate School of Baekseok University, Korea, pp.3-4, 2012.
  32. Robert J. Havighurst, "Personality and Patterns of Aging", The Gerontologist, Vol. 8, Vol. 1, pp.20-23, 1968. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1093/geront/8.1_Part_2.20
  33. Block, J. D. Sex over 50. New Jersey: Prentice-Hall Press, 1999.
  34. H. S. Lee, "The old man's sexual partner about the phenomenon compared", Journal of community welfare, Vol. 51, No. 51. pp.103-125, 2014. DOI: https://doi.org/10.15300/jcw.2014.51.4.103
  35. Y. S. Kwon, S. H., Byun, "The effects of sexual attitude and sex life on life satisfaction of the elderly", The Journal of Humanities and Social science, Vol. 10, No. 5. pp.1389-1398, 2019. DOI: https://doi.org/10.22143/HSS21.10.5.99
  36. S. Y. Heo, Longitudinal Analyses on Contagion of Depression and Reciprocal Relationships between Depression and Marital Satisfaction of Married Elderly Couples in Korea, Doctoral dissertation, Seoul National University of Social Sciences and Social Welfare, Korea, 2020.
  37. H. J. Park, S. H. Byun, "Effects of Self-differentiation of Remarried Couples, Marital Intimacy, Marital Conflict Coping Style on Marital Satisfaction", The Journal of the Korea Contents Association, Vol. 17, No. 7. pp.236-252, 2017. DOI: https://doi.org/10.5392/JKCA.2017.17.07.236
  38. S. M. Kim, H. J. Lee, "Life Stress and Coping Style for Stress of Vietnamese Married Immigrant Women", J Korean Acad Community Health Nurs, Vol..27, No.2, pp.173-182, 2016. DOI: https://doi.org/10.12799/jkachn.2016.27.2.1
  39. K. S. Park, H. S. Jung, "Sexual health and sexual activity in the elderly", J Korean Med Assoc, Vol.62, No.6, pp.301-307, 2019. DOI: https://doi.org/10.5124/jkma.2019.62.6.301
  40. Steinke, E. & Bergen, M., "Sexuality and Aging", Journal of Gerontological Nursing, Vol.12, No.6, pp. 6-10, 1986. https://doi.org/10.3928/0098-9134-19860601-04
  41. K.S Son, Y.A.Ju, "The Relationship between Sexual Intimacy and Marital Satisfaction of Married Middle-aged Men and Women : The Moderating Effect of Speaking and Listening in Couple Communication", Korean Journal of Psychology, Vol.21, No.4, pp.697-718, 2015. DOI: https://doi.org/10.20406/kjcs.2015.11.21.4.697
  42. D. H. Kim, "Sexual Function and Communication in Couples with a Diabetic Partner", The Journal of Korean Diabetes, Vol..15, No.2, pp.110-115, 2014. DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.4093/jkd./2014.15.2.110
  43. J. H. Kim, Perception of sex, sexual life and sexual satisfaction of older adult, The Graduate School of Ewha Womans University, Department of Nursing Science, 2006.
  44. J. S. Youn. A study on the Correlation between Sexuality Awareness and Life Satisfaction of the Aged, Incheon University, The Graduate School of Public Administration, 2010.
  45. J. H. Kwon, Y. M. Lee, "A Study on the Perception of Sex and Sexual life of the Elderly.", The Journal of Korean Biological Nursing Service, Vol.8. No.2. pp. 13-27, 2006.
  46. K. H. Lee, Marriage types classified by wives' perception of marital conflict and intimacy, The Graduate School of Seoul University, Korea, 1998.
  47. H. J. Lee, Y. J. Kim, "The Effects of marital relationship(love and sexual attitude) in Later life on quality of life", Korea Gerontological Society, Vol.24. No.4. pp. 197-214, 2004.
  48. J. O. Hong, The Effect of Sexual Activity on Life Satisfaction: Gender Differences among Older Adults, Master's Thesis, Department of Social Welfare Graduate School of Social Welfare, Myongji University, Korea, 2015.
  49. Y. O. Won, J. H. Kwhak, "A Study on the Relationships among the Cognition, Satisfaction Level of Sex Life and Life Satisfaction Level of the Elderly", Journal of Social Welfare Management, Vol.1. No.1. pp. 109-131, 2014.