본 연구는 여성노인들의 사회 인구학적 특성과 그들이 지각하는 통제감이 우울감과 삶의 만족도에 어떠한 영향을 미치는지 분석함으로써 여성노인들의 우울감과 만족도에 관련된 변인을 규명하고자 하였다. 이를 위해 대구경북 지역에 거주하는 1130명의 여성을 대상으로 실시한 설문조사에서 60세 이상인 213명의 여성노인을 추출하여 그들이 지각하는 통제감, 우울감 그리고 삶의 만족도에 관해 분석하였다. 분석결과에 따르면 여성노인들이 지각하는 통제감은 거주유형, 사회활동참여 유무, 교육수준, 경제수준에 따라 유의한 차이가 있는 것으로 나타났으며, 그들이 경험하는 우울감은 경제적 수준과 경제적 사정에 대한 염려수준에 따라 유의한 차이가 있는 것으로 나타났다. 또한 여성노인들이 경험하는 우울감의 정도에 가장 큰 영향을 미치는 변인은 그들이 지각하는 통제감으로 보고 되었으며, 그 다음으로 경제적 사정에 대한 염려와 결혼상태가 중요한 변인으로 나타났다. 본 연구의 결과를 기초로 여성노인들이 지각하는 통제감과 우울감 및 삶의 만족도에 관한 객관적인 이해와 이들을 대상으로 하는 정신건강 관련 서비스 및 프로그램의 필요성과 후속연구에 대한 방안이 제시되었다.

This study investigates the impact of the perceived control on depression and life satisfaction of elderly women. For the purpose of this study, secondary data were used. Specifically, 213 elderly women over 60 years old selected from the original data collected from 1130 women reside in Daegu and Kyungpook province were analyzed. The result of the study indicated that type of residence, involvement of social activity, educational status and economic status made statistically significant differences in elderly women's perceived control. Economic status and financial worry made significant difference in elderly women's depression, while the involvement of social activity and financial worry were statistically significant in their life satisfaction. In addition, elderly women's perceived control was the strongest predictor in explaining their depression, while financial worry was the strongest factor in explaining the variance of life satisfaction. Financial worry and marital status were also significant predictors in explaining depression, while perceived control and marital status were significant factors in explaining life satisfaction. Based on the result of the study, implications for mental health services and programs for elderly women as well as further study were provided.

This study investigates the impact of the perceived control on depression and life satisfaction of elderly women. For the purpose of this study, secondary data were used. Specifically, 213 elderly women over 60 years old selected from the original data collected from 1130 women reside in Daegu and Kyungpook province were analyzed. The result of the study indicated that type of residence, involvement of social activity, educational status and economic status made statistically significant differences in elderly women's perceived control. Economic status and financial worry made significant difference in elderly women's depression, while the involvement of social activity and financial worry were statistically significant in their life satisfaction. In addition, elderly women's perceived control was the strongest predictor in explaining their depression, while financial worry was the strongest factor in explaining the variance of life satisfaction. Financial worry and marital status were also significant predictors in explaining depression, while perceived control and marital status were significant factors in explaining life satisfaction. Based on the result of the study, implications for mental health services and programs for elderly women as well as further study were provided.

elderly women, perceived control, depression, life satisfaction