earticle

영어

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of social supports and health on the depression of the rural elderly according to their household patterns. Data were collected from 1,000 of the elderly over 65 living in rural Korea. A questionnaire was used with direct interviews and was analyzed through descriptive statistics, ANOVA, and a multiple regression analysis. The major findings of this study are as follows. First, the general characteristics, social supports, and health of the rural elderly are significantly different according to their household patterns. Second, depression in the rural elderly is also significantly different according to household patterns; elderly people in a single household report greater depression than elders in a coupled household or those in a household with a child. Third, satisfaction with health conditions and nutrition management variables has a significant influence on the depression of the rural elderly in all household patterns. Fourth, there are differences among variables that affect depression of the rural elderly according to their household patterns.