계획된 행동이론을 적용한 아동의 경로(敬老)행동에 관한 기술적 연구

Abstract

ABSTRACT

Application of the Theory of Planned Behavior on the Children’s Behavior toward the Elders: A Descriptive Study

Ko, Eun-Kyo Advisor: Prof. Oh, Eul-Im Ph.D. Department of Public Administration Graduate School of Chosun University

This study was prompted by a critical mind that the neglect of the old highlighted by aging is not simply limited to the old, but must be settled together by the whole society members. Not only are there very scanty studies that recognize the importance of alienation of the elders, but it is very difficult to find the studies that attempt to solve such phenomenon through respectful behavior for the elders. The current children will also face the aging-related problem as the members of the future aging society. Accordingly, it is required to build an atmosphere that enables children to continue to respect the elders. In this regard, inspecting the children’s belief on respect toward the elders and the influence factors involved are aimed to succeed in the tradition of filial piety and respect toward the elders and to reduce the neglect of the elders by revitalizing such tradition. The purpose of this study is to determine the children’s behaviors of respect toward the old by introducing Theory of Planned Behavior useful for predicting various behaviors. For this, the study drew out attitudinal, normative and control belief applying them to Theory of Planned Behavior. Study samples were questionnaires recomposed through two preliminary surveys that targeted the students of the forth to sixth grades in three regions, i.e. Seoul Metropolitan City, Gwangju Metropolitan City and Jeollanam-do of South Korea. 600 questionnaires were distributed from March 23 to April 2, 2009, 564 of the distributed questionnaires were collected, and 563 of the collected questionnaires were used for analysis. The statistical package, SPSS 12.0WIN was used for technical statistics analysis, factor analysis, reliability analysis, correlation analysis, t-Test, analysis of variance and regression analysis, and the AMOS 7.0 statistical program was used for the path analysis of study models. First, the factor analysis (Varymax Rotation) showed that the number of factors amounted to a total of 13, by drawing out validity with the latent roots of 1 or more, the factor loadages of .500 more and the cumulative variances of 60% or more. Second, Cronbach α coefficients were .700 or more, showing a high reliability. Third, the difference analysis by population features showed that there were significant differences in the six factors of gender, the five factors of school grade, the two factors of region, the eight factors of grandparents’ existence, the seven factors of cohabitation with grandparents: the behaviors of respect toward the old were positively recognized by the female children who were in lower grades, lived in rural areas, had living grandparents and lived with grandparents. Forth, the appropriateness of study models was confirmed by path analysis. The verification of hypothesis by regression analysis showed that the attitude of respectful behavior toward the elders were significantly associated with the social relative profits except personal relative profits and complexities; the subjective norms were significantly the internal and external normative beliefs; the perceived behavioral control were significantly associated with the promotion conditions and self-achievement. In addition, the established hypotheses were all supported, as the attitude of respectful behavior toward the elders, the subjective norms and the perceived behavioral control mediate behavioral intentions, being significantly associated with the behaviors of physical and emotional respect toward the elders. Based on such results, this study is aimed to promote children’s behaviors of respect toward the old by drawing out theoretical, practical and policy plans to reduce alienation of the elders. First, in theoretical terms, theoretical backgrounds were provided to the behavioral studies in the field of social welfare studies by confirming the usefulness of Theory of Planned Behavior, and the possibilities were drawn out to provide as the foundations of new practical study models in predicting the specific behaviors of client individuals in the practical fields of social welfare. Second, in practical terms, the plans were drawn out to develop and practice the filial piety programs and the family-unit voluntary service programs to strengthen subjective norms, the voluntary service programs for the elders to strengthen the perceived behavioral control, the demonstrative programs for the behaviors of respect toward the elders and the generation integration programs to strengthen the activities with the elders and respectful behavior toward the elders, and the programs to induce the active behaviors of the elders to promote the activities of respectful behavior toward the elders. Third, in policy terms, policy plans were drawn out to implement the voluntary services for the elders by the combination of voluntary service organizations, schools, homes and parents for strengthening subjective norms, to hold the nationwide events and build the standing publicity halls for strengthening the perceived control and to have experts develop and operate the practical programs on the plans to promote the respectful behavior toward the elders. However, this study showed limitations in sampling, study methods, measuring tools and measuring variables. Therefore, this study proposed tasks to overcome them. In advance, a study is required to add various potential variables for the respectful behavior toward the elders in the future.