earticle

영어

The purpose of this study is to analyze the IADL, social support, and life satisfaction of the elderly living alone and the elderly couple in urban areas. Data from the survey of Ministry of Health and Welfare conducted in 2014 were used for the analysis. The subjects of the study included a sample of 4,685 respondents who represent aged 65 and older in Korea. The result of analysis was as follows; First, in general characteristics, the elderly couple had more males than females, while elderly living alone had more females. The elderly living alone showed higher age and lower educational level than the elderly couple, and they were living in a vulnerable environment due to the rent cost of housing, poor health and economic conditions. Second, there was no significant difference in the IADL between the elderly living alone and the elderly couple. Emotional support was higher in the elderly couple than elderly living alone, but there was no difference between the two groups in instrumental support. The life satisfaction of the elderly couple was higher than that of the elderly living alone. Third, the elderly living alone had the higher the IADL as they were younger, higher education level, owners of housing. The elderly couple had the higher the IADL when they were younger, higher education level, shorter the residence period. Fourth, the elderly living alone and the elderly couple showed higher social support when they were the higher the number of children, the shorter the period of living, females than males. Finally, the elderly living alone showed higher life satisfaction with higher education and owners of housing. The elderly couple showed higher life satisfaction when they were younger, higher education level, males than females, and owners of housing.