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KMID : 0379220090290041645
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Journal of Korea Gerontological Society
2009 Volume.29 No. 4 p.1645 ~ p.1663
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A Study on the Effects of Discrimination Experience on Self-image and Self-esteem among the Korean elderly: Moderating Effects of Social and Economic Activity Participation
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Ahn Joon-Hee
Kim Seong-Yong
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Abstract
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The purpose of the study is to analyze the mediating effects of self-image on the relationship between experience of discrimination and self-esteem among the elderly in Korea. Furthermore, it is to explore whether these effects are moderated by social and economic activity participation. Data were collected from a cross-sectional survey of 543 community-dwelling Korean older adults (age?65) drawn from community and senior centers in the mid-size city in Korea. The statistical analysis was performed by a structural equation modeling using LISREL statistical program. The results are fourfold. First, experiences of discrimination exerted the negative effects on physical, dispositional, and competent self-images of the elderly. Second, dispositional and competent self-image brought down by discriminative experiences lowered the levels of self-esteem. Third, social activity participation moderated the negative effects of discrimination experiences on physical and dispositional self-images. It also moderated the effects of dispositional self-image on self-esteem. Fourth, economic activity participation did not show moderating effects on the relationship between
experience of discrimination and self-images. Meanwhile, it moderated the effect of competent self-image on self-esteem. These results demonstrate that to improve self-esteem of the elderly population, social welfare policies should make effort to reduce discrimination toward the elderly. Furthermore, social welfare organizations should also try to implement diverse community based programs geared for enhancing social and economic activities for elderly. Limitations and directions
for future research are also discussed.
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KEYWORD
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ageism, discrimination, self-image, self-esteem, social/economic activity participation
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