Jiraporn Kongiem. Relationships of family support and friend support to life satisfaction of older adults in rural areas . Master's Degree(Adult Nursing). Mahidol University. : Mahidol University, 2005.
Relationships of family support and friend support to life satisfaction of older adults in rural areas
Abstract:
The aim of this descriptive correlational research was to explore the relationship of perceived support given by family, perceived family support, and perceived support given by friends to life satisfaction of older adults. Norbecks model of social support was used to guide this study. The research participants consisted of 60 dyads of family members and older adults who lived in Chacheongsao Province. The participants were recruited by simple random sampling using a random table. The eight instruments used in the study were the Set Test, the Demographic Questionnaire, the Modified Barthel Activities of Daily Living Index, the Chula Activities of Daily Living Index, the Giving Support Questionnaire, the Family APGAR Questionnaire, the Friend APGAR Questionnaire, and the Life Satisfaction Questionnaire. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and Pearsons Product Moment Correlation. The results revealed that the mean scores of perceived support given by family and perceived family support of older adults were categorized as high; while perceived support by friends of older adults was categorized as moderate. The mean score of life satisfaction of older adults was categorized as moderate. Perceived family support and perceived friend support were significantly positively correlated with life satisfaction (r = .44, .35, p <.01, respectively). However, perceived support by family was not significantly correlated with perceived family support of older adults, nor with life satisfaction of older adults. This study suggests that to increase life satisfaction of older adults, perceived family support and perceived friend support should be maintained and promoted. Therefore, health care providers should promote social support for older adults especially from families and friends to increase life satisfaction of older adults.