title: Perceived enactment of autonomy and related factors among elders.
abstract: This study aims to investigate the perceived enactment of autonomy (PEA) of Chinese elders as well as its relationship to other variables, such as morale, life satisfaction, need for assistance, subjective overall health status, etc. Selected demographic attributes (gender, age, living arrangements, etc.) were also examined for their relationship to PEA. A purposive sample of 324 subjects over 64 years old was recruited from homes and long-term care facilities in southern Taiwan. A Chinese version of the PEA scale (PEA-CV) and the Revised Philadelphia Geriatric Center Morale Scale (R-PGCMS) were used to measure PEA and morale. Data were analyzed using SPSS/PC software version 10.0. The results show that these elders had high perceived enactment of autonomy (mean = 2.99). Through multiple regression analysis, these results also revealed that need for daily living assistance, type of living arrangement, scores for morale and marital status significantly affected perceived enactment of autonomy among Chinese elders. The results suggest that we should help elders recognize possible choices, respect the choices they have made, advocate elders' autonomy while providing assistance, and design appropriate activities for them so that they gain a sense of freedom, individuality and independence. Directions for future studies are suggested.
authors.affiliation: Department of Nursing, Fooyin University, No. 151 Chin-Hsueh Road, Ta-Liao Hsiang, Kaohsiung Hsien, 831 Taiwan, ROC. ns123@mail.fy.edu.tw
authors.forename: Huei-Lih
authors.initials: HL
authors.lastname: Hwang
authors.forename: Huey-Shyan
authors.initials: HS
authors.lastname: Lin
mesh_terms: D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000368:Aged / Q000523:psychology*; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001294:Attitude to Health; D002755:Choice Behavior; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D015577:Geriatric Assessment; D005851:Geriatric Nursing / Q000379:methods; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D007389:Internal-External Control; D008297:Male; D017533:Marital Status; D008960:Models, Psychological; D009013:Morale; D020380:Needs Assessment; D024802:Nurse's Role; D010344:Patient Advocacy; D026684:Personal Autonomy; D010549:Personal Satisfaction; D012044:Regression Analysis; D012111:Residence Characteristics; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013624:Taiwan