Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society (한국산학기술학회논문지)

The Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society (한국산학기술학회)
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A Study on the Experience of Life in Near Poor Elderly Living Alone in Depression: Phenomenological Study

차상위 계층 우울 독거노인 삶의 경험: 현상학적 연구

  • Received : 2020.07.29
  • Accepted : 2020.12.04
  • Published : 2020.12.31
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Abstract

The purpose of this study was to explore the meaning of life in near-poor elderly living alone and experiencing depression. We focused on their lived experiences so that we could understand the essential structure of what kind of life they live. The eligible population included those aged 65 or older, showing 9 points or higher in the Korean form of Geriatric Depression Scale (KGDS), currently living alone for more than 1 year, having no problems of communication difficulties, and nationally defined as a near-poor group. A purposive sample of 8 seniors enrolled in s mental health welfare center in Incheon Metropolitan City were recruited. The phenomenological approach suggested by Colaizzi was used. Data was collected from May 2018 to October 2019 through in-depth interviews. As a result of the study, 6 categories, including 48 themes and 19 theme clusters, were drawn from the data: 'a shabby life that cannot live without help', 'a life where the body and mind are sick', 'a life that wants to be self-reliant', 'a life of gratitude', 'a life with inner peace', and 'a life that needed institutional support.' Findings of this study can be evidence for developing suitable emotional support programs for the near-poor elderly living alone and to enact various welfare laws and policies at the national level.

연구의 목적은 차상위 계층 우울 독거노인 삶의 경험을 통하여 삶의 의미를 파악하고 어떠한 삶을 살아가는지 본질적 구조를 알아보고자 함에 있다. 연구 대상은 인천광역시 A 정신건강복지센터에 등록된 65세 이상 노인으로, 한국형 노인우울척도(KGDS) 9점 이상, 현재 독거생활 1년 이상 된 의사소통의 어려움이 없는 차상위 계층 8명이다. 연구방법은 개인 심층 인터뷰를 통하여 2018년 5월부터 2019년 10월까지 Colaizzi 분석방법을 적용한 질적 연구이다. 연구결과 48개의 주제와 19개의 주제모음, 6개의 범주가 도출되었다. 참여자들이 차상위 계층 우울 독거노인으로 살아가는 경험은 '도움 없이 살수 없는 초라한 삶', '몸과 마음이 병든 삶', '자립하고 싶은 삶', '감사하는 삶', '내면의 평화가 있는 삶', '제도적 보완이 필요한 삶'으로 나타났다. 연구를 통해 차상위 계층 우울 독거노인을 위한 지역사회의 정서적 지지 프로그램 개발을 위한 정보를 제공하고 국가적인 차원의 다양한 복지 정책을 위한 근거 자료의 기초가 되고자 한다.

Keywords

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