A correlational study of autonomy, health perceptions and life satisfaction among the elderly

• Main Authors: I-Pying Cheng, 鄭伊萍
• Other Authors: Feng-Ping Lee
• Format: Others
• Language: zh-TW
• Published: 2012
• Online Access: http://ndltd.ncl.edu.tw/handle/33187855844015336123

碩士 === 輔英科技大學 === 護理系碩士班 === 100 === According to the definition of aging society from World Health Organi- zation, Taiwan became an aging society since 1993 when the percentage of the population aged 65 and over reached 7%. Health issues in elderly related to independent activity and life satisfaction are more important as the structural change in an aging population. The purpose of this study is to explore the correlations among autonomy, health perception and life satisfaction in the elderly. A sample size of 187 persons aged over 65 years old from regional teaching hospital located in south Taiwan by a convenience sampling method was under a cross-sectional and correlational design. Research tools included the Barthel Index (BI), Short Portable Mental Status Questionnaire (SPMSQ), Geriatric Depression Scale-Short Form (GDS- SF), Perceived Enactment Autonomy Scale on an Elderly (PEA), Self perceptions of health scale, and Life satisfaction scale were used. Datas were analyzed using SPSS 17.0 for Windows software package. Statistical methods included Descriptive Statistics, Independent samples T-test, One-way ANOVA, Spearman and Pearson''s product- moment correlation, and multiple regression were conducted. The results demonstrate that the elderly feel more positive in the autonomy, and that there are significant differences in different sources of economic status, Living conditions, educational level, and participated in social activities. good by the majority in the health perception, and that there are significant differences in different sources of economic status and exercise habits. satisfied in life satisfaction generally, and that there are significant differences in different sources of economic status, educational level and Number of participating in social activities.There is also significant positive correlation between educational level(r=.219, p=.003), autonomy(r=.632, p=.000), health perception(r=.406, p=.000) and life satisfaction in the elderly. Regression analysis showed that participation of social activities, autonomy, and health perception were the three major predictor factors and accounted for 50.8% of the variance for life satisfaction. By the findings in this study, researchers suggest that we should take account of the characteristics of the diversification, uniqueness and continuity in school education and the process of elderly care to achieve the promotion of holistic health with physical, spiritual and social aspects. Key word: elderly, autonomy, health perception, life satisfaction.