Korean Journal of Family Medicine (가정의학회지)

The Korean Academy of Family Medicine (대한가정의학회)
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The Effect of Peer Relationship and Family Function on Children's Loneliness

또래 관계 및 가족 기능이 아동의 외로움에 미치는 영향

  • Lee, Seung-Jin (Department of Medical Science, Ewha Womans University Graduate School) ;
  • Lee, Hong-Su (Department of Family Medicine, Ewha Womans University Mokdong Hospital, Ewha Womans University College of Medicine) ;
  • Lee, Sang-Hwa (Department of Family Medicine, Ewha Womans University Mokdong Hospital, Ewha Womans University College of Medicine) ;
  • Shim, Kyung-Won (Department of Family Medicine, Ewha Womans University Mokdong Hospital, Ewha Womans University College of Medicine)
  • 이승진 (이화여자대학교 대학원 의학과) ;
  • 이홍수 (이화여자대학교 의과대학 목동병원 가정의학교실) ;
  • 이상화 (이화여자대학교 의과대학 목동병원 가정의학교실) ;
  • 심경원 (이화여자대학교 의과대학 목동병원 가정의학교실)
  • Published : 20090700
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Abstract

Background: Children are exposed to dangers of loneliness. This problem is associated with violent aggression, depression and anxiety. Therefore, the effect of peer relationship and family function on children's loneliness was investigated in this study. Methods: This study was based on the survey administered to 198, 5th and 6th grade students of five elementary schools in Seoul, Korea, in May, 2007. We investigated family function, peer relationship and children's loneliness by self-rating using the Smilkstein's Family APGAR, Peer Environment Scale and Children's Loneliness Scale. The collected data were analyzed with SPSS ver. 12.0. Results: Comparison group of children with different gender showed significant difference in the peer relationship, especially emotional support. On the other hand, data showed children's loneliness and family function were not effected in male or female children. Group of children with more intimate relationship and healthier family function reduced children's loneliness. Peer relationship and family function had the greatest influence on children's loneliness. Conclusion: Group of children with more intimate relationship and healthier family function reduced children's loneliness. Accordingly, family physicians should heed to their family function and know that it has an effect on children's emotions.

연구배경: 현대 아동들은 사회, 정서적으로 외로움이 가중될 수 있는 위험에 노출되어 있으며, 이는 불안이나 우울, 공격성과 같은 문제와 관련되어 성인기의 정신, 신체 건강에 영향을 끼친다. 따라서 이 시기 아동들에게 영향을 끼치는 가족 및 또래 관계와 외로움의 관계를 알아봄으로써 일차의료의 소아진료에 있어 가족중심의 접근방법에 도움이 되고자 하였다. 방법: 2007년 5월 서울 시내 5개 초등학교 5-6학년 아동 198명을 대상으로 가족기능지수, 또래 관계 척도, 외로움 척도를 이용해 자기기입식으로 아동의 외로움과 또래 관계 및 가족 기능에 대하여 조사하였다. 결과: 아동의 또래 관계에 대한 문항에서 여아가 남아보다 유의하게 높았고, 하위 변수 중 정서적 지지를 알아보는 문항에서 여아가 남아보다 유의하게 높았다. 가족 기능이나 아동의 외로움에서는 남, 여아 간의 유의한 차이가 없는 것으로 나타났다. 남, 여 아동 모두 또래 관계 및 가족 기능이 외로움과 음의 상관관계를 나타냈으며, 아동의 외로움에 대한 하위 변수들 중 교환적 활동이 남, 여 아동의 외로움을 가장 잘 설명하는 것으로 나타났다. 또래 관계와 외로움의 관련성은 중증의 가족 기능 장애군에서 가장 높게 나타났다. 결론: 남, 여 아동 모두 또래 관계가 친밀할수록, 가족 기능이 건강할수록 외로움을 적게 느끼는 것으로 나타났으며, 가족의 기능이 건강할수록 또래 관계가 외로움에 미치는 영향력이 감소하였다. 따라서 가정의는 가족 기능이 소아의 정서적 문제와 연관되어 성인기 이후의 신체, 정신 질환에 영향을 미칠 수 있다는 것을 알고 소아 환자를 진료해야 할 것이다.

Keywords

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