This research examines the policy effectiveness of the Senior Job Supporting Program as we approach the 7th anniversary of program implementation. In order to analyze the policy"s actual effectiveness, this study sought to discover to what extent the welfare of the senior population has been improved by this program. Rather than measuring the overall impact of the program on the senior population, this paper investigates the actual improvements within a specific research category; seniors suffering from depression who participate in the program. To achieve the end research goal, the study focuses on behavioral change in the sampled senior groups. In addition, policy analysis is applied to better explain the policy effectiveness after the program introduction.
Regarding methodology, this research is an empirical study conducted alongside a reassessment of previous related research. The data sample was collected from senior welfare centers in the 5 Seoul City districts, out of a total of 25 districts, with the lowest average residential income: Yeongdeungpo-gu, Nowon-gu, Jongno-gu, Dobong-gu, Eunpyeong-gu.
While setting up 4 independent variables causing depression; health, psychology, economic and social status, the degree of depression and independence were fixed as the two separate dependent variables. Other statistical variables; gender, age, educational background, previous occupation, and marital status were also accounted for by the research in order to further investigate the impact of the Senior Job Supporting Program from various perspectives.
Sample data was collected between March 8 and August 10 2010, where 3 surveys of the sampled senior population were conducted according to different time frames. In the 2nd and 3rd surveys, the same questions were asked before and after the employment program to measure the impact of the program. In total, 387 survey question sheets were returned. Against this background, the comparative analysis found that:
① Participation in the Senior Job Supporting Program had a significant effect on improving depression.
② Overall depression symptoms for seniors participating in the program were reduced after employment.
③ Depression was significantly reduced for seniors across all social groups after employment.
④ To determine the factors contributing to the improvement of depression, a multiple regression model was introduced in this paper. Also, through the regression analysis, the four most significant variables causing depression, by order of importance, were found to be health, psychology, economic status and social status.