The Mediating Effect of Social Isolation on the Relationship between Perceived Elderly Stigma and Depression: Focusing on Gender Differences

Abstract

The purpose of this research is to verify the mediating effect of social isolation within the process of perceived elderly stigma affecting depression and to examine gender differences. Based on the results, this study aimed to find ways to alleviate elderly depression. This study drew upon the data from the ‘Age Integration and Generation Integration Survey’conducted in 2018, analyzing 600 elderly people above the age of 65. Structural equation modeling and multi-group analysis were conducted to examine the research model using SPSS 23.0 and AMOS 23.0 programs. The results of this study are as follows. First, perceived elderly stigma has a direct effect on depression. Second, social isolation has a mediating effect on the association between perceived elderly stigma and depression. Third, there was no statistically significant difference between male and female groups. However, there were differences in the mediating effect between two groups. Based on the results of the study, we suggest the need for intervention to reduce elderly stigma and social isolation which both affect depression. We also discussed the limitation of the research and the suggestions for the future research.