노년층 씹기 기능과 관련 정서가 우울에 미치는 영향: 구조방정식 모형을 통한 검증

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to clarify the relationship among subjective chewing function, chewing related quality-of-life-emotional, and depression among in the community-dwelling older adults. We utilized structural equation modeling (SEM) to analyze the effect among these variables. A total of 355 normal elderly completed the Swallowing Monitoring & Assessment Protocol (SMAP) and Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS). The results indicated that subjective chewing function was associated with quality of life-emotional, which was also related with depression. Additionally, in the path analysis, the quality-of-life-emotional partially mediates the path between subjective chewing function and depression. From the results, we confirmed that chewing problems could affect chewing related emotions such as ‘less pleasure’, ‘upset’, ‘depressed’, and ‘stressed’. It is also expected the results to be utilized as preliminary data to manage and to minimize on effect in the elderly who either present with chewing problems or are at risk for depression.