Abstract
The purpose of this study was to develop the Help-seeking Preference Scale for elderly and to investigate the factors correlated with help-seeking preference among the elderly. A self-administered questionnaire survey was conducted by mail (N=1680). A Questionnaire consisted of a draft of the Help-seeking Preference Scale for elderly (12 items), demographic variables, social variables, physical condition, and others. 602 responses (302 men and 300 women) were analyzed.
Factor analysis (maximum likelihood method and promax rotation) was conducted with the 12 items. The results indicated 2 factors consisting of 10 items: (1) ‘desire to receive supports,’ 6 items (α=.83), and (2) ‘reluctance to receive supports,’ 4 items (α=.70). The test–retest reliability and the criterion-related validity of two factors were enough to use. Multiple regression analysis indicated that the desire to receive support was positively correlated with financial difficulty and decline in physical performances. Also, the reluctance to receive support was correlated with the subjects’ financial difficulty, social variables (neighborhood association, participating groups etc.), and demographic variables (sex, spouse).
The result suggests that the Help-seeking Preference Scale was both reliable and valid. And the results of multiple regression analysis suggests that the subjects’ financial circumstance influences the attitude toward receiving support from others. Moreover, while the willingness to receive support was positively correlated with the decline in physical ability, the reluctance to receive support was positively correlated with weak social ties.