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영어

Objectives: As Korea is moved into aging society and our life span has extended, the conjugal relationship of the elderly is also considered important in our lives. However, little has been done in the research of the elderly couples. This study was conducted to find out the effects of problem drinking of spouse and conjugal violence on mental health status among the elderly. Methods: The participants of this study were 137 elderly, who have their spouses. The data were analyzed by frequency and hierarchial multiple regression.Results: First, the economic status of the elderly was associated with their level of anxiety, depression, and somatization. Second, The problem drinking of their spouses had no significant influence on anxiety of the elderly. The conjugal violence, especially verbal abuse, had significant influence on their level of anxiety. Third, Both problem drinking of their spouse and conjugal violence, especially minor physical abuse and verbal abuse, had significant influence on depression of the elderly when they co-existed.Fourth, problem drinking of their spouse had significant influence on their somatization. Also, both problem drinking of their spouse and conjugal violence, especially severe physical abuse and verbal abuse, had more significant influence on somatization of the elderly when they co-existed than problem drinking alone.Conclusion: Based on these findings, practical strategies of prevention and intervention for the elderly couples were suggested to improve their conjugal relationship and mental health.