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International Journal of Social Science, Volume 4, No. 1, March 2015, pp. 117-139

DOI Number: 10.5958/2321-5771.2015.00009.5

Social Integration and Psychological Well-being of

Elderly Women in India: A Comparative Study of Elder

Women at Homes and in Elder Care Facilities

Justin Pallickal Jose 1* and C. Shanuga 2

1 Centre for Social Work Research and Practice, Pondicherry University,

Puducherry, India.

2 Ph.D Scholar, Department of Social Work, School of Social Sciences and International

Studies, Pondicherry University, Puducherry, India.

*Corresponding author: justinpallickaljose@gmail.com

Abstract

In the present study, we examined the critical role of institutionalization of elder

women on the social relationships, social integration and psychological well-being.

A total of 194 elderly women were selected from Kannur district (Kerala) using

multistage cluster sampling. Hundred and one participants were from homes and

ninety three participants were from institutional care facilities. The data analyses

were performed by using descriptive statistics, chi-square test for association, t’

test for independent samples and stepwise logistic regression analysis. The results

revealed that the unmarried, widowed and separated elder women were more likely

to be institutionalized than married elder women. Former employment, being

economically active, religion and place of residence were significantly associated

with institutionalization of the elder women. Objective social integration was higher

among the institutionalized elderly women while subjective social integration was

higher among elderly women living at homes. The elder women at homes enjoyed

better family group support, better social support and more social contacts than

those who were institutionalized. But the primary group concern, perceived ill health

and inadequate mental mastery were higher among elder women at homes than the

institutionalized. The step wise logistic regression analysis revealed that; age,

marital status and perceived ill health significantly explained 58% ( R 2 =0.581) of the

variance on social integration. The caste affiliation and conflicts in social relationships

accounted for 62.7% ( R 2 =0.627) of the variance on psychological well-being. The

study concluded that the socio-demographic variables, especially elder women’s

residence have significant influence on social integration and psychological well-

being.

Keywords: Elder women, social relationships, social integration, psychological well-

being

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