| A Study of Depression and Perceived Health Status in Matriarchs |
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Yoo Sun Shin, Soon Ock Choi, Sook Nam Kim |
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Pusan Catholic University, College of Nursing, Pusan, Korea |
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| Abstract |
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The purpose of this study is to provide the basic data for developing a social policy and group counseling program that will help matriarchs adapt successfully by investigating the level of depression and perceived health status in them.
The data was collected from the period February to July, 2000, which included 155 matriarchs who registered at the YWCA, Working Women Center located in Busan.
The matriarch's depression was measured through a questionnaire composed of 13 selected items which correspond to depression of SCL-90-R scale and the tool for perceived health status measured by Ware (1976) translated by Yoo Ji Soo, Kim Jo Ja, and Park Ji Won (1985).
The data was then analyzed using descriptive statistics, t-test, ANOVA, and Pearson correlation coefficient. The results of which are, as follows:
1. The mean score of depression was 30.8 (SD = ±5.1) from a range of 13 to 52, and perceived health states was 28.3 (SD = ±4.4) from a range of 11 to 44.
2. 83.3 % of the matriarchs have experienced mild depression and above, and 3.9% of them experienced a high level of depression. 9.0% of the matriarchs perceived their health status low and 78.6% of them have perceived their health status moderately.
3 . There was a significant difference statistically in the degree of depression according to the religion (t = 2.852, p = .005) and income (t = 4.25, p = .000).
4 . There was also a negative correlation between depression and perceived health status (r = -0.499, p = 0.000)
In conclusion, the majority of matriarchs have experienced depression and perceived their health status below moderately, and there was a significant correlation between depression and perceived health status. Considering these facts, we recommend that this data be used in developing nursing intervention programs and in understanding matriarchs. Finally, it is suggested that the nursing assistance for matriarchs should not be limited only to physical support but also psychological and systematic support as well. |
| Key Words:
Matriarchs; Depression; Perceived Health Status |
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