Abstract:
Objective To survey the current status of family care and alexithymia of community empty-nest elderly in Changchun, explore the correlation, and provide reference for improving the level of family care and reducing alexithymia.
Methods A questionnaire survey was conducted among 538 empty-nest elderly in Changchun by stratified sampling. The questionnaire includes general demographic data questionnaire, family care scale, Toronto Alexithymia Scale. The data were analyzed by SPSS 20.0, including descriptive analysis,
t-test and analysis of variance, Pearson correlation analysis.
Results The family care score of community empty-nest elderly in Changchun was(6.81±2.15), the scores of long empty nest time, no children in the same city, living alone elderly is lower(
F=6.280,
t=3.884,
t=3.012, all
P<0.01). The score of alexithymia was(59.05±5.67), 64(11.89%) without alexithymia, 304(56.51%) with possible alexithymia, 170(31.60%) with alexithymia. The scores of the elderly in community with older, childless in the same city, living alone and dissatisfied with community health services were higher(
F=44.400,
t=11.104,
t=8.066,
t=3.875, all
P<0.01). There was a significant negative correlation between family care and alexithymia in community empty-nest elderly(
r=-0.279,
P<0.01).
Conclusion The level of community empty-nest elderly's family care in Changchun needs to be improved. The level of alexithymia is relatively high, and improving family care could reduce the level of alexithymia.