청년 및 중년 1인가구의 만성질환과 주관적 웰빙과의 관계에서 자기방임의 매개효과

The Mediating Role of Self-neglect in the Relationship between Chronic Illness and Subjective Well-being of Single-person Households

Objective: The purpose of this study is to examine the mediating role of self-neglect in the relationship between chronic illness and subjective well-being of single-person households in Korea. Self-neglect has been noted as one type of elder abuse, while single-person households share the characteristics of living alone, which leads them to be at a higher risk of self-neglect as well as chronic illness due to insufficient social support. Methods: For the aim of the study, a mediation analysis was performed through the PROCESS macro program after conducting an online survey of single-person households residing in Seoul and Gyeonggi-do. Results: Results showed that the number of years struggling against chronic illness was significantly and positively related to the experience of self-neglect, and self-neglect had a significant and negative influence on subjective well-being. The direct effect of chronic illness on subjective well-being was not significant, while the indirect effect of chronic illness through self-neglect was significant, which means self-neglect fully mediated the relationship between chronic illness and subjective well-being of single-person households. Conclusion: Education programs to prevent self-neglect as well as policy to intervene in single-person households, in particular, at-risk single- person households as early as possible need to be developed.