施設で生活している高齢者の作業と生活満足感の関係

The relationship between occupation and life satisfaction in elderly persons living in an institution

要旨：施設入所中の高齢者43名を対象に，日常的に行っている作業の内容，およびその作業に対する興味や価値などの自己認識を調査し，生活満足感との関係を分析した．その結果，作業と生活満足感の関係を検討するには作業の名目上の内容ではなく，作業に対する興味や価値など本人の認識を捉えるのが重要であることが示唆された．さらに，「仕事・生産的活動」が生活満足感を高めるとは言えないこと，本人にとって価値や興味の高い作業は，その時間の長さに関係なく，あるかないかが生活満足感に影響すること，対象者の生活満足感は日々の作業に対する価値とコミットメントの状況からある程度予測可能であることが示唆された．

　This study examines the relationships among the daily occupation, self-recognition in the occupation, and life satisfaction of 43 elderly individuals who live in an institution. The self-recognition includes an individual's interests, values, etc.

　Results of the study identified several aspects of the subjects' occupations that were related to their level of life satisfaction. To consider the relation between the daily occupation and life satisfaction, it was suggested that self-recognition in the occupation is more important than the type of occupation. Time spent in work/productive activity was found not to correlate with the height of life satisfaction. Regardless of the length of the time involved, it was suggested that the existence of an occupation that is highly valued or interesting influences life satisfaction. It was suggested that life satisfaction could be predicted according to the degree of commitment and value accorded to the daily occupation.