Influenced by the filial piety concept of Confucianism, most of the Korean family takes care of their parents even though not living with them. But the caregiving consciousness has lowered especially among the young people. This study examined how the image of elderly and intimacy impact on college students’ caregiving consciousness. The data were collected by self-filled up survey among 353 college students in Seoul and Chungnam during December of 2015. Based on literature reviews, a 16-item scale on caregiving consciousness, an 8-item scale on intimacy and a 12-item scale on image of elderly were used. College students’ caregiving consciousness (3.96: economical>physical>emotional) and intimacy level(3.99) were higher than the average, while mean score of the image of elderly was a little lower(2.91: social>psychological>physical). Among the demographic variables, only sex and birth order were significantly related to economical caregiving consciousness. In multiple regression analysis, intimacy, the social image of elderly and living experience with grandparents were the significant predictors. College students, who had the intimate relationships with their parents, the positive social image of elderly, and living experience with grandparents, were more likely to have positive caregiving consciousness. In conclusion, intimacy was found as the most influential factor. Therefore, it is suggested to develop and implement the program making parent-child relationships steady. Also, it is necessary to improve the negative image of elderly and understand the elderly properly through aging experience program, intergenerational program, and voluntary activities for the elderly.
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