|
KMID : 0614420100350010203
|
|
Mental Health & Social Work
2010 Volume.35 No. 1 p.203 ~ p.233
|
|
|
Study on the Effects of Religiosity on Life Satisfaction among the Korean Elderly -Mediating Effects of Optimism and Depression
|
|
Ahn Joon-Hee
|
|
|
Abstract
|
|
|
|
The purpose of the study is to analyze the mediating effects of optimism and depression on the relationship between religiosity(organizational, private and subjective religiosity) and life satisfaction among the elderly in Korea. Data were collected from a cross-sectional survey of 659 Korean older adults (age?65) drawn from community and senior centers in the mid-size cities in Korea. The statistical analysis was performed by a path analysis using LISREL statistical program. The results are fivefold. First, organization religiosity exerted negative effects on depression, whereas it exerted positive effects on optimism. Second, subjective religiosity exerted positive effects only on optimism. Third, private religiosity did not have significant direct effects either on optimism or on depression, yet showed direct, positive effects on life satisfaction. Fourth, organizational and subjective religiosity did not exert significant, direct effects on life satisfaction but only indirect effects via optimism (significant mediating effect). Finally, depression exerted negative effects on life satisfaction, whereas optimism showed positive effects on life satisfaction. And the effects of optimism on life satisfaction were greater than those of depression. These results suggest crucial practical implications. First, they demonstrate that to improve life satisfaction of the elderly population, social service and mental health agencies as well as social welfare policies should focus on developing and implementing diverse programs geared for enhancing religiosity and optimism. Additionally, religiosity and/or spirituality sensitive practice need to be warranted in the field of social work and mental health. Limitations and directions for future research are also discussed.
|
|
|
KEYWORD
|
|
|
religiosity, optimism, depression, Life satisfaction, spirituality
|
|
|
FullTexts / Linksout information
|
|
|
|
|
|
Listed journal information
|
|
|
|