정신질환 유무에 따른 복지관 이용자의 특성 비교

Abstract

Purpose: This study aimed to compare the sociodemographic and health characteristics of welfare center users with and without mental disorders and to identify factors associated with mental disorder status. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted at two welfare centers in C City, Korea, from July 17 to August 14, 2025. A total of 167 participants were included, comprising 35 with and 132 without mental disorders. Group differences were analyzed using independent t-tests and chi-square tests, and logistic regression was applied to identify predictors of mental disorder. Results: Participants with mental disorders were younger, used more medications, and had more chronic conditions. They also reported poorer perceived health, lower neighborhood reciprocity, greater loneliness, and lower mental health confidence. Logistic regression analysis revealed that age, number of chronic conditions, and loneliness were significant predictors of mental disorder. Conclusion: Welfare center users with mental disorders demonstrated distinct sociodemographic and psychosocial characteristics. Welfare centers should implement active screening and develop community-oriented integrated nursing programs that address multimorbidity management and loneliness reduction to promote mental health.