저소득 재가노인의 주관적 건강인식이 자살생각에 미치는 영향 : 우울과 자아존중감 매개효과를 중심으로

A Study on the Influence of Perceived Health Status on Suicide Ideation of the Low-income Elderly: Considering Mediating Effects of Self-esteem and Depression

Purpose: This study aimed to identify the mediating effect of self-esteem and depression in the relationship between perceived health status of the low-income elderly and their suicide ideation. Methods: Participants were 201 elderly people living at home in two cities who were receiving home health services from public health centers. Face-to-face interviews were conducted from October in 2013 to April in 2014. Data were analyzed using SPSS 21.0 and AMOS 21.0. Results: Subjects' perceived health status had a direct effect on increasing self-esteem and reducing depression. Subjects' self-esteem and depression had a direct effect on suicide ideation. Perceived health status had an indirect effect on suicide ideation that was mediated by self-esteem and depression. Conclusion: Results of this study indicate that to prevent suicide of the elderly, it is critical to increase their health status. Additionally, there is a need to construct and implement strategies to strengthen self-esteem of low-income elderly in order to decrease depression.