[Study on relations of variables: attributions of somatic symptoms, fatigue, chronic pain and depression in the elderly].

PURPOSE

The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationships among variables of somatic attribution, chronic pain, depression and chronic fatigue in the elderly.

METHODS

Empirical data for testing hypothetical models was collected from 311 people over 65 years old in a community settings in Seoul, Korea in June and July, 2000. Data were analyzed by descriptive statistics and correlational analysis using pc-SAS program. The Linear Structural Modeling(LISREL) 8.0 program was used to find the best fit model which explained causal relationship of variables.

RESULT

According to Accepted model, the relation of variables is that the somatic attribution is the influencing variable to chronic pain and depression and chronic pain and depression is the influencing variable to chronic fatigue.

CONCLUSION

The findings of this study give useful information to construct intervention program relating chronic pain, depression and chronic fatigue for the elderly.