Korean journal of psychology:General (한국심리학회지ㆍ일반)

Korean Health Psychological Association (한국건강심리학회)
권호 표지

The effect of meaning in life on happiness and health in late life

삶의 의미가 노년기 행복과 건강에 미치는 영향: 청년기와 노년기의 비교를 중심으로

  • Kim, Kyoung-Mi (Seoul National University Center for Happiness Studies) ;
  • Ryu, Seung-Ah (Seoul National University Center for Happiness Studies) ;
  • Choi, In-Cheol (Seoul National University Center for Happiness Studies)
  • 김경미 (서울대학교 행복연구센터) ;
  • 류승아 (서울대학교 행복연구센터) ;
  • 최인철 (서울대학교 행복연구센터)
  • Published : 2011.06.30
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Abstract

Many studies have demonstrated that meaning in Life plays a crucial role in wellbeing in late life, There has been little research, however, examining the relative important of meaning in life across ages. The goal of this study was 10 examine the effect of meaning in life on happiness and heath in both younger adults and older adults. In particular, the relative importance of meaning was compared between younger and older adults. 203 college students (M=22.10) and 206 older adults (M=67.40) participated in this study. Meaning in life Questionnaire (MLQ) was employed to measure the meaning in life and happiness (SHS), physical and psychological symptoms, sleep quality, health related behaviors (regular meal and exercise, frequency of drinking, and smoking) were measured. We found a positive relationship between MLQ and happiness both age groups. More importantly. the effect of MLQ on happiness and health (SHS, sleep quality, regular meal and exercise, smoking) was statistically stronger for older adults than younger adults. The implication for study were discussed.

삶의 의미는 노년기의 행복과 건강에 중요한 역할을 한다. 그러나 기존 연구들은 삶의 의미가 미치는 영향력을 광범위하게 살펴보지 못하였고, 연령의 증가에 따른 삶의 의미의 중요성도 간과하였다. 이에 본 연구에서는 노년기에 경험하는 삶의 의미가 행복과 건강의 구체적인 영역에 미치는 영향력이 청년기와 비교하여 얼마나 강한지 알아보고자 하였다. 연구에 참여한 사함들은 총 409명으로 서울지역에 거주하는 20대 대학생 203명(평균연령: 22.10세)과 60대 이상의 206명(평균연령 : 67.40세)이었으며, 설문 내용은 삶의 의미, 행복, 심리적 신체적 건강관련 불편증상, 수면 및 건강관련 생동(규칙적인 식사와 운동, 음주횟수, 흡연량)등으로 구성되었다. 분석 결과 20대 60대 이상 모두에게서 삶의 의미는 행복과 정적상관이 있었으나, 그 영향력 정도는 20대보다 60대 이상에서 더 강한 것으로 나타났다. 또한 20대에 비해 60대 이상에서 삶의 의미의 영향력이 행복을 포함하여, 수면의 질, 규칙적 식사 운동, 흡연량 정도에 더 중요한 역할을 하는 것으로 나타났다. 이러한 결과는 삶의 의미의 영향력이 나이가 들어감에 따라 더 커지며, 특히 노년기 행복과 건강에 중요한 역할을 한다는 것을 시사한다.

Keywords

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