Purpose: The study was done to compare
and examine perceived health status, selfesteem,
depression, and life satisfaction between
institutionalized elders and those living in the
community. Method: The design was a
descriptive survey study, and the participants
were 357 elders, aged 65 or older. Data were
collected from April to June, 2007. Measures
were the Perceived Health Status Scale, the
Self-esteem Scale, the Korean Depression Scale,
and the Life Satisfaction Scale. Data were
analyzed using the SAS program. Results:
First, the perceived health status of elders
living at home was higher than that of
institutionalized elders. Second, positive
correlations were observed between perceived
health status and self-esteem, between
perceived health status and life satisfaction,
and between self-esteem and life satisfaction.
But negative correlations were observed
between perceived health status and depression,
between self-esteem and depression, and between
depression and life satisfaction. Conclusion:
The findings emphasize the importance of
preventing depression in elders, both those
institutionalized and those living at home. Also,
concrete nursing interventions which are
developed according to the general characteristics
of the elders are needed.
Purpose: The study was done to compare
and examine perceived health status, selfesteem,
depression, and life satisfaction between
institutionalized elders and those living in the
community. Method: The design was a
descriptive survey study, and the participants
were 357 elders, aged 65 or older. Data were
collected from April to June, 2007. Measures
were the Perceived Health Status Scale, the
Self-esteem Scale, the Korean Depression Scale,
and the Life Satisfaction Scale. Data were
analyzed using the SAS program. Results:
First, the perceived health status of elders
living at home was higher than that of
institutionalized elders. Second, positive
correlations were observed between perceived
health status and self-esteem, between
perceived health status and life satisfaction,
and between self-esteem and life satisfaction.
But negative correlations were observed
between perceived health status and depression,
between self-esteem and depression, and between
depression and life satisfaction. Conclusion:
The findings emphasize the importance of
preventing depression in elders, both those
institutionalized and those living at home. Also,
concrete nursing interventions which are
developed according to the general characteristics
of the elders are needed.