Correlates of perceived autonomy among elders in a senior citizen home: a cross-sectional survey.
BACKGROUND
Researchers have pointed out several factors that correlated with or influenced autonomy in older people. However, these studies covered only a range of socio-demographic or physical factors, while factors from psychosociological and spiritual domains remain ignored. Also, there is lack of quantitative research and publications in this area.


OBJECTIVE
To explore factors related to autonomy among elders in a senior citizen home.


METHODS
A cross-sectional design utilizing a correlational approach was adopted.


METHODS
A stratified random sample of 121 subjects older than 64 years was recruited at a senior citizen home.


METHODS
Questionnaires and interviews were used to collect data. The structured questionnaire consisted of five parts, each gauging socio-demographic information, life attitudes, frequency and satisfaction of social support, and autonomy. Descriptive and stepwise multiple linear regression analysis were used to analyze the data.


RESULTS
Subjects had a high autonomy score (mean = 3.63), with the greatest score in independence (mean = 4.39), followed by individuality (mean = 3.74) and freedom (mean = 3.22). Multiple regression analysis showed that satisfaction of social support (beta = .57), functional ability (beta = .25), life attitudes (beta = .20), and level of education (beta = .14) significantly affected autonomy in these elderly subjects and explained 64.2% of the total variance of autonomy in this population.


CONCLUSIONS
Findings from this study indicate that perceived autonomy is influenced by social support, functional ability, life attitude, and literacy among institutionalized elders.
Hwang
Huei-Lih
HL
Department of Nursing, Fooyin University, Taiwan, ROC. ns123@mail.fy.edu.tw
Lin
Huey-Shyan
HS
Tung
Ya-Ling
YL
Wu
Hui-Ching
HC
D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000368:Aged / Q000523:psychology*; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D001294:Attitude to Health; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004522:Educational Status; D005190:Family / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D033062:Friends / Q000523:psychology; D015577:Geriatric Assessment; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand; D006801:Humans; D007389:Internal-External Control; D016014:Linear Models; D008297:Male; D009735:Nursing Homes; D015404:Nursing Methodology Research; D009740:Nursing Staff / Q000523:psychology; D026684:Personal Autonomy; D010549:Personal Satisfaction; D012944:Social Support; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013624:Taiwan