The purpose of this study was to
identify the degree of perceived health status,
social activities, life satisfaction, powerlessness,
loneliness, social support and ego integrity of
elders living alone, compare the level of ego
integrity according to general characteristics,
analyze the relationship of the variables, and
examine whether ego integrity is influenced by
the related factors. Results of the study are to be
used raise the quality of life of elders living
alone. Method: Participants were 104 elderly
living alone and data collection was done from
July 24 to August 20, 2008. Descriptive statistics,
t-test, ANOVA, Pearson correlation coefficient
and stepwise multiple regression with the SPSS
program were used to analyze the data. Results:
The level of ego integrity of elders living alone
was 3.19 with a possible range of 1 to 5. The
correlation factors for ego integrity included
perceived health status (r=.298, p=.000), social
activity (r=.384, p=.000), life satisfaction (r=.381,
p=.000), powerlessness (r=-.226, p=.000), loneliness
(r=-.648, p=.000), and social support (r=.733,
p=.000). The most powerful predictor of ego
integrity was social support. Social support
(54.3%), the number of children (4.2%), and
social activity (13.8%) accounted for 71.0% of
ego integrity. Conclusion: The results of this
study suggest that social support, the number of
children, and social activity should be considered
in developing ego integrity programs designed for
elders living alone.
The purpose of this study was to
identify the degree of perceived health status,
social activities, life satisfaction, powerlessness,
loneliness, social support and ego integrity of
elders living alone, compare the level of ego
integrity according to general characteristics,
analyze the relationship of the variables, and
examine whether ego integrity is influenced by
the related factors. Results of the study are to be
used raise the quality of life of elders living
alone. Method: Participants were 104 elderly
living alone and data collection was done from
July 24 to August 20, 2008. Descriptive statistics,
t-test, ANOVA, Pearson correlation coefficient
and stepwise multiple regression with the SPSS
program were used to analyze the data. Results:
The level of ego integrity of elders living alone
was 3.19 with a possible range of 1 to 5. The
correlation factors for ego integrity included
perceived health status (r=.298, p=.000), social
activity (r=.384, p=.000), life satisfaction (r=.381,
p=.000), powerlessness (r=-.226, p=.000), loneliness
(r=-.648, p=.000), and social support (r=.733,
p=.000). The most powerful predictor of ego
integrity was social support. Social support
(54.3%), the number of children (4.2%), and
social activity (13.8%) accounted for 71.0% of
ego integrity. Conclusion: The results of this
study suggest that social support, the number of
children, and social activity should be considered
in developing ego integrity programs designed for
elders living alone.