The Korean Journal of Community Living Science (한국지역사회생활과학회지)

The Korean Society of Community Living Science (한국지역사회생활과학회)
권호 표지
DOI QR코드

DOI QR Code

Effects of the Social Network Structure on Suicidal Thoughts of Elderly Single and Couple Households in Korea: Supportive and Conflictual Networks

노인단독가구 노인의 사회적 관계망구조가 자살생각에 미치는 영향: 도움관계망과 갈등관계망을 중심으로

  • Oh, Young Eun (Dept. of Family Environment & Welfare, Chonnam National University) ;
  • Lee, Jeong Hwa (Dept. of Family Environment & Welfare, Chonnam National University) ;
  • Shin, Hyo Yeon (National Academy of Agricultural Science, Rural Development Administration)
  • 오영은 (전남대학교 생활환경복지학과) ;
  • 이정화 (전남대학교 생활환경복지학과) ;
  • 신효연 (국립농업과학원)
  • Received : 2014.10.27
  • Accepted : 2014.12.03
  • Published : 2014.12.30
Download PDF
⟨ Previous Next ⟩

Abstract

This study explores supportive and conflictual network structures of elderly single and couple households and analyzes the effects of supportive and conflictual networks on suicidal thoughts by gender and family type. The analysis considered a sample of 522 individuals over the age of 60 who did not live with their adult children. The statistical methods used to analyze data were descriptive statistics, a t-test, a chi-square test and a regression analysis using SPSS WIN 20.0. The results are as follows. First, men and elderly single households had support networks that were smaller than those of women and elderly couple households. The conflictual network of elderly couples households was larger than that of elderly single households. In addition, the larger the network, the more the conflictual was. Second, elderly single households thought about suicide more often than elderly couple households. Third, economic status, the number of adult children, the size of conflictual network and subjective health had considerable influence on suicidal thoughts of elderly single and couple households. The size of the conflictual network had a greater effect on suicidal thoughts of elderly individuals than that of the supportive network. These results have important policy implications for elderly single and couple households.

Keywords

References

  1. Abbey A, Abramis DJ, Caplan RD(1985) Effects of different sources of social support and social conflictual on emotional well-being. Basic Appl Soc Psychol 6, 111-129 https://doi.org/10.1207/s15324834basp0602_2
  2. Antonucci TC, Akiyama H, Merlin A(2001) Dynamics of social relationships in midlife. In ME. Lachman, eds. Handbook of Midlife Development. John Wiley & Sons Inc. pp571-598
  3. Antonucci TC, Akiyama H, Lansford JE(1998) Negative effects of close social relations. Family Relations 47(4), 379-384 https://doi.org/10.2307/585268
  4. Antonucci TC(1994) A life-span view of women's social relations. In Turner BF & Troll LE(Eds.), Women growing older. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage. pp239-269
  5. Antonucci TC, Akiyama H(1987) An examination of sex differences in social support among older men and women. Sex Roles 17, 737-749 https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00287685
  6. Antonucci TC(1986) Measuring social support networks: hierarchical mapping technique. Gener 3, 10-12
  7. Bae JY, Kim WH, Yoon KA(2005) Depression, suicidal thoughts anf the buffering effect of social support among the elderly. J Korean Geron Soc 25(3), 59-73
  8. Bae JY, Park HJ(2011) A study on the present condition of suicidal injury in Busan metropolitan city. J Saf Crisis Manag 7(3), 109-126
  9. Barrera M(1981) Social support in the adjustment of pregnant adolescents: assessment issues. In Gottlieb BH(Ed.), Social networks and social support. Beverly Hills. CA: Sage Publications
  10. Canary DJ, Cupach WR, Messman SJ(1995) Relationship conflict. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage
  11. Canetto SS, Sakinofsky I(1998) The gender paradox in suicide. Suicide Life Threat Behav 28(1), 1-23
  12. Chang SJ(2010) Structural and functional aspects of social network in old age, and the subjective quality of life: focusing on the comparison according to age and gender. Soc Sci Res Rev 26(1), 75-100
  13. Choi JA, Seo BS(1992) A study on the social support network of the urban elderly. J Korea Geron Soc 12(1), 65-78
  14. Choi KH(2005) A study of the factors influencing suicidal thought among the elderly persons. Master's Thesis, Soongsil University
  15. Chung OB, Kim DB, Chung SH, Sohn HH(2008) Social welfare with the aged. Seoul: Hakjisa
  16. Conwell Y, Duberstein PR, Caine EC(2002) Risk factors for suicide in later life. Soc Biol Psychiatry 52, 193-204 https://doi.org/10.1016/S0006-3223(02)01347-1
  17. Crohan SE, Antonucci TC(1989) Friendships as a source of social support in old age. In: Adams RG, Blieszner R, eds. Old Adult Friendship: structure and process. Newbury Parl, Sage Publication, pp129-146
  18. Due P, Holstein B, Lund R, Modvig J, Avlund K(1999) Social relations: network, support and relational strain. Soc Sci Med 48, 661-673 https://doi.org/10.1016/S0277-9536(98)00381-5
  19. Eom TW(2007) Elderly suicide and it's related factors: focused on the role of social support and mastery in the effects of hopelessness and depression on suicidal ideation. Korean J Soc Welf 59(2), 355-379
  20. Fung YL, Chan ZC(2011) A systematic review of suicidal behaviour in old age: a gender perspective. J Clin Nurs 20, 2109-2124 https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2702.2010.03649.x
  21. Guohua L(1995) The interaction effect of bereavement and sex on the risk of suicide in the elderly: an historical cohort study. Soc Sci Med 40, 825-828 https://doi.org/10.1016/0277-9536(94)00135-G
  22. Han GH, Kim JH, Kim KM(2003) Supportive and conflictual social networks and mental health of the middle-aged in Korea : does it vary by gender?. J Korea Geron Soc 23(2), 155-170
  23. Han SS, Kang SW, Jeong SH(2012) Experiences of depressive symptom and suicidal thinking between the elderly living and the elderly couples. Korean J Health Serv Manag. 6(3), 29-38 https://doi.org/10.12811/kshsm.2012.6.3.029
  24. Heisel MJ, Flett GL(2006) The development and initial validation of the geriatric suicide ideation scale Am J Geriat Psychiat 14(9), 742-751 https://doi.org/10.1097/01.JGP.0000218699.27899.f9
  25. Hong JP, Choi SH(2011) The study of suicide annual status in Republic of Korea. Ministry of health & Welfare, Korean Association for Suicide Prevention. Available from www.suicide.or.kr [cited 2011 December]
  26. Ingersoll-Dayton B, Morgan D, Antonucci, T(1997) The effects of positive and negative social exchanges on aging adults. J Gerontol: Soc Clin Psychol 13(1), 42-62
  27. Jeon GS, Lee HY(2011) Impact of marital status on depression and suicidal ideation among Korean adult-Focus on the differece by age and sex. Korean J Health Serv Manag. 5(3), 179-190 https://doi.org/10.12811/kshsm.2011.5.3.179
  28. Jeong MS, Kim KH(2009) The influence of health promoting behavior and social support on psychological well-being of the elderly. Soc Sci Res Inst 8, 101-126
  29. Jin JY, Go HY(2013) The Korean suicide rate trend by population group comparing with the OECD Countries and its Policy Implications. Health Ware Policy Forum, 141-154
  30. Kim BW(2010) A study of the social network effects on suicidal ideation among the elderly. Master's Thesis, Sungkyunkwan University.
  31. Kim GY, Hwnag MG(2009) The effect of level of knowledge on agin g on suicide ideation among the older adults: focused on the mediating effect of attitude toward elderly, self-esteem, and depress. Korea J Couns 10(2), 651-668 https://doi.org/10.15703/kjc.10.2.200906.651
  32. Kim HS(2002) A study on epistemology of Korean elder's suicidal thought. J Korea Geron Soc 22(1), 159-172
  33. Kim HS, Heo PH(2011) The current trend of research on Korean elderly suicide and future research issues. J of Soc Sci 36(3), 195-213
  34. Kim HY(2005) A study of factors influencing suicidal ideation of elders. Master's Thesis, Ewha Womans University
  35. Kim JH(2007) Study on factors influencing suicidal ideation of the low income elders living at home. Master's Thesis, Ewha Womans University
  36. Kim KT, Choi SS, Park MJ, Park SH, Ko SH, Park HS(2011) The effect of family structures and psycho-social factors on suicidal ideation of senior citizens. Korean Soc Welf Aged 52, 205-228
  37. Kim MK(2013) Study on the effects of social support upon suicidal ideation of the low income elders. Master's Thesis, Hannam University
  38. Kim SW, Kim SY, Kim JM, Suh DW, Shin IS, Kim SJ, Na GW, Kim SH, Yoon JS(2008) A survey on attitudes toward suicide and suicidal behavior in Korea. Korean Soc Biol Ther Psychiatry 14(1), 43-48
  39. Kim YB, Park JS(2003) The family network and life satisfaction of elderly in south Korea. J Korea Geron Soc 23(4), 169-185
  40. Kim YT, Kim IS, Ju YS, Lee JY(2009) A study on the status of female suicide and policy agenda. 2009 Research Report(18), Korean Women's Development Institute
  41. Kim HC, Son YM(2006) A study on the characteristics of elderly suicide and suicidal type. Korean Soc Association 12(2), 1-19
  42. Koo CY, Kim JS, Yu JO(2014) A study on factors influencing elders' suicidal ideation: focused on comparison of gender differences. J Korean Acad Community Health Nurs 25(1), 24-32 https://doi.org/10.12799/jkachn.2014.25.1.24
  43. Korea Institute for Health and Social Affairs(2012) Research on the Actual Condition of the elderly in 2011. www.kihasa.re.kr[Cited 2012 April]
  44. Kwon JD(2007) Senior Social Welfare. 2nd ed. Seoul: Hakjisa
  45. Lee HJ, Park KA(2009) The family network types and life satisfaction of the rural elderly. J Korean Geron Soc 29(1), 291-307
  46. Lee HY, Cho SH(2012) Factor affecting the suicidal ideation of elderly in Gyeonggi province. J Community Welf 43, 191-216
  47. Lee JA(2007) A study on the social support network for the living alone elderly in rural area: focused on Jinan-gun. Master's Thesis, Hanil University
  48. Lee JH, Han GH, Park GJ, Lee HK(2003) The effects of the social support network on the psychological well-being of the rural elderly in korea. J Korean Soc Rural Plan 9(3), 1-7
  49. Lee JH, Han GH(2003) The effects of work and leisure activities on the psychological well-being of the rural elderly in Korea. Korean Rural Socio Soc 13(1), 209-238
  50. Lee YK(2010) An analysis on the characteristics and change of the elderly(1994-2008). Issue Focus 55, 1-8
  51. Lepore SJ(1992) Social conflict, social support, and psychological distress: evidence of cross-domain buffering effect. J Personal Soc Psychol 63, 857-867 https://doi.org/10.1037/0022-3514.63.5.857
  52. Litwin H(2001) Social network type and morale in old age. Geron 41, 516-524 https://doi.org/10.1093/geront/41.4.516
  53. Living to One hundred (2014) Most senior counseling mere first consultation. Available from http://www.100ssd.co.kr/news/articleView.html?idxno=29104[cited 2014 November 14]
  54. Lubben JE(1988) Assessing social networks among elderly populations. J Fam Community Health 8, 42-51
  55. Ministry of Health & Welfare(2014) OECD Health Data 2014. Available from http://mw.go.kr [cited 2014 July 21]
  56. Moore, G(1990) Structural determinants of man's and woman's personal networks. Am Sociol Rev 55, 726-735. https://doi.org/10.2307/2095868
  57. Noh YJ(2009) Study on the effects of social networks about life satisfaction of the elderly women living alone. Master's Thesis, Chongshin University
  58. Oh IG(2009) The impact of social network and hopelessness on suicide ideation among the low-income adults - focus on interaction effect of use of community welfare center service -. J Welf Aged 44, 111-130
  59. Oh YE, Lee JH(2012) The effects of social network size and a sense of community on the loneliness of rural elderly-only households. J Community Welf 43, 555-580
  60. Oh YE, Lee JH(2011) The effect of adult-children support network on the psychological well-being of the single and couple elderly households in rural areas. Korean J Community Living Sci 22(4), 557-572 https://doi.org/10.7856/kjcls.2011.22.4.557
  61. Park JY, Moon KT, Chae YM, Jung SH(2008) Effect of sociodemographic factors, cancer, psychiatric disorder on suicide: gender and age-specific patterns. J Prev Med Public Health 41(1), 51-60 https://doi.org/10.3961/jpmph.2008.41.1.51
  62. Park JY(2007) Experience of committing suicide of elderly suicide survivals: the flying from a quince knob. Master's Thesis, Ewha Womans University
  63. Park YR, Park KS(2013) Social support network and welfare of the elderly in Korea: research trends and future tasks. J Welf Aged 60, 323-352
  64. Patricia AH(2003) Evidence-based protocol; elderly suicidesecondary prevention. J Gerontol Nurs 29(1), 49-56 https://doi.org/10.3928/0098-9134-20030901-09
  65. Previll M, Boyer R, Hebert R, Bravo G, Sequin M(2005) Correlates of suicide in the older adult population in Quebec. Suicide Life Threat Behav 35(1), 91-105 https://doi.org/10.1521/suli.35.1.91.59269
  66. Raynolds WM(1987) Suicidal ideation questionnaire: professional manual/ Psychological Assesment Resource, Inc.
  67. Rook KS(1985) The functions of social bonds: perspectives from research on social support, loneliness, and social isolation. In: Sarason IG & Sarason BR, eds. Social support: Theory, research, and applications. Springer Netherlands. MD, pp243-267
  68. Rook KS(1984) The negative side of social interaction: impact on psychological well-being. J Personal Soc Psychol 46(5), 1097-1108 https://doi.org/10.1037/0022-3514.46.5.1097
  69. Seo SG, Lee YH, An JS, Chong YS(2013) An exploratory study on perceived conflict with spouse and adult children of the Korean elderly. Korean J Psychol: Gen 32(2), 389-412
  70. Seomun JH, Lee HA(2011) A study on influence of subjective health recognition and social support on the elderly suicide ideation: using parameter effect of depression. J Welf Aged 54, 361-385
  71. Shin HG(2012) Effects of the elderly's ageism experience on suicidal thought and mediating effect of hopelessness and depression. J Welf Aged 56, 191-216
  72. Shin HS, Lee SS, Lee YJ(1994) A study on the aged parents' conflict with their adult children and depression. J Sci Better Living 4, 41-56.
  73. Shin JU, Baek SH(2013) Factors affecting suicidal ideation in elderly attending community senior centers. J Agric Med Community Health 38(2), 71-84 https://doi.org/10.5393/JAMCH.2013.38.2.071
  74. Shin JU(2012) Factors related to suicidal ideation in community dwelling older adults. Master's Thesis, Hannam University
  75. Song JE, Marks NF(2006) Parent-adult child relationships and mental health among older parents: a longitudinal U.S. national study. J Korean Geron Soc 26(3), 581-599
  76. Statistics Korea(2014). The statistics of mortality and causes. Available from http://kostat.go.kr[cited 2014 September 23]
  77. Street D, Burge S(2012) Residential context, social relationships, and subjective well-being in assisted living. Res Aging 34, 365-394 https://doi.org/10.1177/0164027511423928
  78. Sung KT(1991) Study of Filial Motivation and Parent Care among Adult Koreans. Korean Geron Soc 11(2), 251-273
  79. Troll L(1988) New thoughts on old families. Geron 28, 586-591 https://doi.org/10.1093/geront/28.5.586
  80. Turner B(1982) Sex-related differences in aging. In Wolman J(Ed.), Handbook of developmental psychology. Englewood Cliffs, NJ: Prentice Hall. pp.911-936
  81. Vaux A(1985) Variations in social support associated with gender, ethnicity and age. J Soc Issues 41, 89-110 https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1540-4560.1985.tb01118.x
  82. Vinokur AD, Price RH, Caplan RD(1996) Hard times and hurtful partners: how financial strain affects depression and relationship satisfaction of unemployed persons and their spouses. J Personal Soc Psychol 71(1), 166-179 https://doi.org/10.1037/0022-3514.71.1.166
  83. Won HJ(1997) Study on the social network types of housewives in urban nuclear families. Unpublished doctoral dissertation, Seoul National University
  84. Yoo JA(2000) The effect of supportive and negative interactions upon low-income single-mother's psychological distress. Master's Thesis, Hannam University
  85. Yun H, Han GH(1994) Sibling support network of Korea elderly. J Korea Geron Soc 14(1), 117-139

Cited by

  1. 가족유대감이 농촌 노인의 자살 생각에 미치는 영향 - 마을공동체 의식의 매개효과를 중심으로 - vol.24, pp.6, 2014, https://doi.org/10.5934/kjhe.2015.24.6.795
  2. The Impact of informal social network on the life satisfaction of the aged population in Korea and Japan vol.76, pp.None, 2014, https://doi.org/10.18631/jalali.2017.76..017
  3. Factors Protecting against Suicidal Ideation in South Korean Community-Dwelling Older Adults: A Systematic Literature Review vol.62, pp.3, 2014, https://doi.org/10.1080/01634372.2018.1557310
  4. 문화예술치유프로그램이 여성 노인의 지역공동체의식에 미치는 영향 vol.23, pp.2, 2014, https://doi.org/10.9717/kmms.2020.23.2.383
  5. Protective factors against suicidal ideation among community-dwelling older adults with experience of spousal physical abuse: focusing on direct and indirect protections vol.24, pp.11, 2014, https://doi.org/10.1080/13607863.2019.1636208
  6. 우울과 삶의 질이 노인의 자살 의도에 미치는 영향 vol.8, pp.4, 2020, https://doi.org/10.15268/ksim.2020.8.4.067
  7. How spousal physical abuse impacts suicidal ideation among community-dwelling older adults: the effects of protective factors vol.26, pp.1, 2014, https://doi.org/10.1080/13607863.2020.1844144