중·노년기 기혼남녀의 배우자 사별 관련 문제에 대한 지각과 사별 불안 간 관련성 : 성별의 조절효과를 중심으로

Associations between Perceptions of Spousal Bereavement-Related Problems and Spousal Bereavement Anxiety among Middle-Aged and Older Married People: Focus on the Moderating Effect of Gender

Background/Objectives: This study was conducted to explore the overall trends of perception of spousal bereavement-related problems and anxiety related to spousal bereavement among middle-aged and older married men and women, as well as the moderating effect of gender in their relationship. Methods: Data were collected from a total of 431 married men and women aged 50 and over residing in Seoul, Gyeonggi, and metropolitan areas, and t-tests and hierarchical regression analyses were conducted using SPSS 25.0 and PROCESS Macro 4.1. Results: The results are as follows. First, men had a higher level of spousal bereavement anxiety than women. As for the perceptions of spousal bereavement-related problems, men were more worried about dependence on the spouse, loneliness, and feelings of being abandoned than women, who were more worried about living expenses, financial security, and economic independence than men. Secondly, men had a higher level of spousal bereavement anxiety according to a greater dependence on the spouse whereas women had a higher level of spousal bereavement anxiety according to a greater dependence on the spouse and loneliness. Finally, gender had significant moderating effects on the associations between perceptions of spousal bereavement-related problems and spousal bereavement anxiety. The perceptions of spousal bereavement-related issues had more impacts on spousal bereavement anxiety in women than men. Conclusion/Implications: Based on these research findings, this study suggested institutional and practical intervention measures to anticipate difficulties related to spousal bereavement in middle and old age from a gender perspective and to enable stable and autonomous lives even after bereavement.