沖縄農村地域の高齢者における交流頻度と生活満足度および精神的健康との関連―IADLレベルによる比較―

抄録

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between social contact, life satisfaction (LSIK) and mental health (GDS) among rural elderly. Methods: Subjects were 1, 019 elderly people aged 65 years and older living in Nakijin-son, Okinawa. Of these subjects, we analyzed data from 767 persons who responded to an interview survey conducted in 1998. Social contact was assessed by frequency of contact with children living separately, relatives, friends, and neighbors. Multiple regression analysis was conducted in order to investigate the relationship between social contact, LSIK and GDS based on IADL levels. Results: Those with higher LSIK scores tended to have more frequent contact with relatives, friends, and neighbors in the higher IADL group. In the lower IADL group, however, only contact with neighbors contributed significantly to life satisfaction. GDS was significantly related to frequency of contact with relatives, friends, and neighbors in the higher IADL group. Moreover, GDS was significantly associated with contact with children living separately in the lower IADL group. Conclusions: The present findings suggest that the relationship between social contact, life