Factors related to self-concept of elderly residing in a retirement center

The purpose of this study was to explore the self-concept of elderly adults residing in retirement centers as well as its relationship to other variables, including function of activities of daily living (ADL), subjective well being, etc. Selected demographic attributes (sex, age, years of education etc.) were also examined for their relationship to self-concept. The subjects were a convenience sample of people aged 65 or older who were recruited from a retirement center in the south of Taiwan (N = 42), and a control group of elderly living with their family (N = 33). The Tennessee Self-Concept Scale (TSCS) was used to measure self-concept. The Multidimensional Functional Assessment Questionnaire- Chinese Version (MFAQ) was applied to measure the function of activities of daily living. A total of 37 subjects from the retirement center group and 28 subjects from the home group completed these questionnaires. The data were analyzed using SPSS/PC software version 10.0. After multiple linear regression analysis, the results showed that the elderly residing in the retirement center had significantly lower Personal Self and Family Self scores. The variables of ADL, sex and subjective well-being had effects on the total self-concept. Female elderly individuals also revealed significant higher scores than males in the subscales of Moral- Ethical, Family Self, Social Self, Identity, Satisfaction Self. These results suggest we should design appropriate programs to increase elderly people's interaction with others and establish new social networks for them which may enhance a sense of positive self-concept.