title: A Study of Interpersonal Intimacy and Meaning of Life Among Elderly Institutionalized Veterans.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Most senior veterans who live in veterans' homes in Taiwan are single and have few intimate, interpersonal relationships. Aging is often accompanied by solitude and illness, which causes senior veterans to doubt the meaning of life and to lose confidence in the value of life.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  This study investigated the personal characteristics that influence interpersonal intimacy and the meaning of life as well as the relationship between interpersonal intimacy and the meaning of life among senior veterans living in veterans' homes.
  
  
  METHODS
  A cross-sectional design was used, and 120 senior male veterans were convenience sampled from three veterans' homes in southern Taiwan. Three structured questionnaires were used in this study: personal characteristics questionnaire, interpersonal intimacy scale, and purpose in life test.
  
  
  RESULTS
  (a) Interpersonal intimacy was influenced by source of income or funds, type of residence institution, religious affiliation, and the quality of the participant's relationships with family, friends, and fellow residents. Educational level and self-perceived health status correlated positively with interpersonal intimacy, and period of residence correlated negatively with interpersonal intimacy. (b) Meaning of life was influenced by the quality of relationships with family and friends. Educational level and self-perceived health status correlated significantly and positively with meaning of life, and period of residence correlated negatively with meaning of life. (c) Significant, positive correlations were found among interpersonal intimacy, the four domains of interpersonal intimacy, and meaning of life.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Health professionals involved in the care of senior veterans in institutions may use the results of this study to develop and implement interventions that promote a higher degree of interpersonal intimacy and a higher appreciation of the meaning of life, thus enabling senior veterans to confront old age in a more positive manner.
authors.affiliation: 1MSN, RN, Lecturer, Department of Nursing, Chung Hwa University of Medical Technology 2PhD, RN, Associate Professor, Department of Nursing, National Quemoy University 3PhD, RN, Assistant Professor, Department of Nursing, Chung Hwa University of Medical Technology 4RN, Chief Leader, Health Care, Veterans Affairs Council R.O.C., Tainan Veterans Home.
authors.forename: Chen-Chun
authors.initials: CC
authors.lastname: Niu
authors.forename: Hui-Man
authors.initials: HM
authors.lastname: Huang
authors.forename: Yun-Ying
authors.initials: YY
authors.lastname: Hung
authors.forename: Hsiu-Li
authors.initials: HL
authors.lastname: Lee
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D044466:Asian People / Q000523:psychology*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D015577:Geriatric Assessment; D006787:Hospitals, Veterans / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D008297:Male; D011788:Quality of Life / Q000523:psychology*; D012725:Sexual Behavior / Q000523:psychology*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013624:Taiwan; D014728:Veterans / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*