• 한국노년학
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• v.38 no.2
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• pp.329-349
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• 2018

The objective of this study is to examine whether there are differences in participation in social activities and the effects of social activity types on the levels of happiness of the Korean older adults by age groups. The 5th wave(2014) of the Korean Longitudinal Study of Ageing (KLoSA) was used and a total of 3,273 elderly were selected from the 5th wave, who were 65 years old and older and who were not living with their offsprings. Chi-square test, ANOVA, and hierarchical multiple regression analysis were used. The rate of participation in economic activities declined with age and the levels of participation in leisure activities was higher in the young-old group in comparison to the middle- and the oldest- old groups. The levels of participation in family activities was higher in the middle- and the oldest-old groups in comparison to the young-old group. Socializing activities and religious activities measured by the frequencies of activities were not significantly different among the age groups. The results of a regression analysis of social activity types and their effects on happiness by age groups are the followings: 1) Leisure, socializing, religious, and family activities all (with the exception of economic activities) significantly affected the level of happiness of older persons in the young-old group. 2) However, only socializing and family activities in the middle-old age group, and only family activities in oldest-old group, had a statistically significant impact on the levels of happiness. These results support that the rates of participation in the five types of social activities and their effects on the levels of happiness were different by age groups. The implication of this study was to report that needs and the interests of older individuals are different by age groups based on empirical evidences.

• 한국노년학
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• v.39 no.4
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• pp.921-939
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• 2019

According to the social selectivity theory (SST), despite the disadvantages of life conditions, older adults experience less negative emotions because they regulate their emotions by avoiding negative stimuli or situations. Based on the SST, this study attempted to find out whether older adults are better able to regulate negative emotions than young adults in the Ultimatum Game (UG). In an UG, if the proposer proposes to distribute a portion of the money to the responder, the responder must decide whether to accept or reject it. If the responder accepts the offer, the proposer and the responder can each have their own share as proposed, but if s/he reject the offer, both get nothing. Thus, if the responder considers own economic benefits, it is a more reasonable decision to accept the unfair offer no matter how low, than to reject it. To accept an unfair offer, the responder must regulate the anger felt at the proposer. If older adults could regulate anger better than young adults, they would be less likely to reject the unfair offer than young adults. Fifty-seven olders and 60 university students participated in this study. Both the older and young adults accepted most of the fair offers. In contrast, older adults accepted unfair offers at a significantly higher rate than young adults. In addition, compared to young adults, older adults reported anger less frequently at the unfair offers. Accepting unfair offers was negatively correlated with anger report, but positively correlated with the emotion regulation measured by ERQ. The ERQ score was negatively correlated with anger report. Emotion regulation partially mediated the relationship between the age groups and acceptance of unfair offers. The present results showed that older adults accepted the unfair offers at a higher rate than young adults because they could regulate the negative emotions felt at the unfair offer better than young adults. This study provided new evidence for the claim that improving emotional regulation is a major developmental change in adulthood.

• 한국노년학
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• v.30 no.3
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• pp.973-992
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• 2010

The hearing impairment is the representative disorder that affects the quality of the routine life of the aged period. This study was aimed to develop the Korean evaluation scale for hearing handicap(KESHH) with which we can evaluate social and psychological effects of the hearing impairment. Applying this scale clinically, we can analyze the geriatric hearing loss specifically and improve the quality of the aural rehabilitation that can help the hardness of the hearing impairment. Data were collected from 288 participants(176 hearing aid users and 112 non-hearing aid users) and the average age of the participants was 67.4 years old ( 60.15 for the hearing aids users and 78.9 for the non hearing users). The composition ratio of the male and female participants were 58.0% and 42.0% and extrovert and introvert personality were 49.3% and 50.7% showing balanced formation. The tentative draft of KESHH measurements were produced with 30 items and following 5 subscales. Using factor analysis, 6 items were erased and 4 subscales - social effect, psycho/emotional effect, interpersonal effect, and perception of hearing aids - were identified. As each subscale consisted of 6 items, 24 items were corrected and remained totally. Conclusively, the KESHH was developed with 24 items and 4 subscales including 6 items on each subscale. In addition, the KESHH was divided into type-1 and 2 depending on hearing aid users and non hearing aid users. The results of this study can be summarized as the following 5 parts. Firstly, the reliabilities of the KESHH were proved to be high because the subscales' Cronbach alpha values were from 0.723 through 0.895. Secondly, the KESHH showed systematically increasing score as the hearing impairment increased. The lowest score was 24 and the highest score was 117 and the average scores of the hearing impaired and non-hearing impaired are 72.06(SD=15.67) and 66.98(SD=20.94) showing 5.08 increased score for the hearing impaired. Depending on the degree of the hearing loss, the scores recorded 52.63 at the below of the mild hearing loss, 67.29 for the moderate hearing loss, 71.89 for the moderately severe hearing loss, and 75.57 for the severe hearing loss The comparison of the scores by hearing levels indicated that the higher the hearing levels were, the higher the scores of the KESHH with statistical significance(p<0.001). Thirdly, the correlation among 4 subscales was 0.384~0.880(p<0.001). Also, the pure tone average, personality, and the four subscales correlations showed statistical significance with 0.148~0.880 except for the pure tone average and personality and the pure tone average and perception of hearing aids. Fourthly, the total variances explained for the independent subscles were analyzed with multiple regression. The social effect was explained 17.4% with pure tone average, personality, and the status of hearing aid use variances. The psycho/emotional effect was explained 14.4% with puretone average, personality, and age variances. The interpersonal effect was explained 11.2% with pure tone average, personality, and the status of hearing aid use variances. The perception of hearing aids effect was explained 2.2% with only personality. Finally, test-retest reliability was proved to be high with 0.791(p<0.001). Conclusively, the KESHH that was developed considering Korean culture can be a useful instrument for expressing the hearing handicaps of the Korean aged hearing impaired in scores for both hearing aid users and non-users. Also, it is thought that the KESHH is useful clinically for identifying the changes of the hearing handicap scores before and after wearing hearing aids and aural rehabilitation at diverse situations.

• Cartoon and Animation Studies
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• s.47
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• pp.171-191
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• 2017

In recent years, artistic programs considering both physical and psychological changes in old age have been implemented in various fields. These programs include participatory activities such as painting, play, singing, photography, dance, cartoon animation and so on. It is known that culture and art education programs lead people to emotional growth and social interaction. In particular, culture and art education for the elderly tends to affect positively on the quality of life. However, there are still lack of teaching methods and curriculums in the filed. It is considered that cartoon has a great potential as a teaching method of culture and art education for elderly. This study aims to discuss ways to vitalize the role of cartoon using the qualitative data of four elderly participants in culture and art education programs. The case study analyses reveled that cartoon program for the elderly not only plays a role to make their daily lives more enthusiastic but also provides a social passage to communicate to world. The Cartoon program designed for the elderly was a tool to reveal their inner world to others, and shed new light on their past memories, and long for the precious moments in life. At the same time, it was a meaningful time to lessen the depth of loneliness in old age, and even to heal their physical disability and emotional conflicts. The hardest part of drawing an cartoon was when it did not turn out as they wished. Based on the study results, the researchers explored the therapeutic usefulness of cartoon for the elderly, and discussed the ways to activate it in the field of elderly welfare.

• 한국노년학
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• v.30 no.1
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• pp.65-80
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• 2010

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to develop a wisdom scale among Korean elderly with high validity and reliability. Method: The process of the development of this scale follows: A conceptual framework was identified based on literature a review of the elderly and discussion with experts in physiology and sociology. Total 128 items were developed. Through reliability testing, factor analysis, 60 preliminary items, and 4-points scale were selected. By a means of the internal consistency for 60 items, 33 items were deleted. Finally, 27 items were remained. To verity 27 items, factor analysis, reliability testing, and correlation were done. Data were collected from 480 elderly subjects in Daegu, Kyungpook Province, and Busan, Kyungnam Province from August, 2008 to February, 2009. Results: From the results of the factor analysis for 27 items, 3 factors were extracted. These factors were labeled as 'empathic emotion', 'self-reflection', and 'bitter experience of life'. Cronbach's Alpha for the 27 items was .921 and correlation coefficient of ego-integrity was .69. Conclusion: An exploratory study of the variables related to wisdom among the elderly is needed for criterion validity of this scale. A study on wisdom for different age groups is needed for re-verification.

• 한국노년학
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• v.39 no.3
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• pp.589-612
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• 2019

Korea has undergone rapid modernization and globalization process in the last few decades. The purpose of this study is to explore how shifting traditional values are impacting Korean elderlies and their perceptions of aging experience. In order to understand how changing social and cultural practices are affecting older adults, the similarities and differences among Korean elderlies living in three different geographical locations are examined in a multidimensional comparative framework. Life story interviews were conducted with 30 Korean elderlies (10 urban residents in Korea, 10 rural residents in Korea, and 10 residents in the US). Paying attention to within-group variation, this study particularly focused on analyzing the psychological, social, emotional, and spiritual experiences that made lives meaningful and resilient in old age in spite of physical decline. Based on analysis of narrative, the following major areas were identified as having positive or negative influence on aging experiences: physical health, emotional health, family relationship, work, leisure/social activity, and spirituality. Common themes of aging well across all settings included: "life not indebted to their offspring," "physical and mental health," and "dying well." Spirituality played a critical role in cultivating perspectives on life and accepting aging process, which were rooted in specific religious traditions participants identified (e.g., Christianity or Buddhism). Interesting differences in the meaning of work and leisure were also found between elderlies residing in Korea and the US immigrant context. One unique factor continuing to negatively affect Korean elderly in rural community was related to shame of not obtaining higher education. Implications for future research are also addressed.

• 한국노년학
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• v.30 no.4
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• pp.1409-1427
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• 2010

The purpose of this study is to understand volunteer work experiences of senior citizen volunteers serving in the welfare center in K district in the aspect of an insider and to apprehend the meaning. The objects of this study are fifteen senior citizen volunteers and two social workers who do volunteer works in the welfare center, and this study utilized the qualitative study method through observations and in-depth interviews from 2009.09.02 to 2009.10.21. The data analysis is processed by the qualitative analysis program, Nvivo 2.0, and the processed data are analyzed in accordance with the grounded theories of Strauss and Corbin. As a result of reviewing data, the meanings about volunteer work experiences of senior citizens are induced as eight factors; senior citizens' identity in an old aging society, desire fulfillment through volunteer works by senior citizens, various leisure activities to help their health in mind and body, acceptance attitude about aging, mental supports from their families, finding activities suitable for each person's personality and capability, changes of perception about the handicapped, and endeavors to spend meaningful old age. Through results and discussion obtained by this study, the conclusion is as below: First, participation induction factors are identities of elderly people in aging society, acceptance attitudes toward aging and emotional support from families in the matter of senior citizens' volunteer work. Second, programs suitable for individual aptitude and capability should be implemented for activating senior citizens' volunteer work. Third, participation in senior citizens' volunteer work indicates desire satisfaction through senior citizens' volunteer work, leisure activities helping health for body and mind, and life changes such as changes of perception about handicapped people etc.

• 한국노년학
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• v.29 no.2
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• pp.459-475
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• 2009

This study focused on abused old people who lived together with their family in community. The purposes of the study were aimed to typology the abused old people according to abuse level, investigate the characteristics by categorization, and suggest policies to improve the abused old people's quality of life. Data were collected from 1,200 old people aged above 65 years old who lived in Kyungki province, Incheon-si, Chungnam province. Among 1,200 people, 212 abused old people were analysed for the study. First, as a result of categorizing old people according to abuse level, forcefully abused and damaged group, psychologically abused and damaged group, and lukewarmly abused and damaged group were categorized. The forcefully abused and damaged group was seriously suffered from verbal and emotional abuse and noninterference, including 14.6% of the subjects. The psychologically abused and damaged group appeared high in verbal and emotional abuse, and level of noninterference, and the highest in level of depression, including half of the subjects. Lastly, the lukewarmly abused and damaged group was lower in verbal and emotional abuse, economic abuse and level of noninterference than other two groups, but higher in physical abuse and abandonment than the psychologically abused and damaged group. Policies to improve the quality of life for the abused old people based on the each group were made.

• 한국노년학
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• v.29 no.2
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• pp.761-779
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• 2009

The purpose of this study is to analyze the factors affecting the quality of life of elderly people from the ecological perspective. Specifically, this study attempts to compare the relative contributions of the variables from the individual system, microsystem, mesosystem, and macrosystem on the quality of life of the elderly people. The subjects for this study consisted of 443 elderly over 60 years old in Daegu city, Gyeongsang-do, and Chungchung-do areas. The data were collected randomly by interviews with a structured questionnaire, and analyzed by frequencies, means, ANOVA, and hierarchial regression method. The major-findings of this study were as follows: 1. The quality of life of the elderly consisted of four factors; physical, economic, psychological, and social factors. The highest satisfaction score for the quality of life was found in psychological factors, The global satisfaction score for the quality of life was found to be relatively high. 2. Out of the individual factors influencing the quality of life of the elderly, the economic status of the respondent was found to be the most important. Out of the microsystemic factors, the most important factors were found to be the intimacy with the spouse and with the children. Out of the mesosysystemic factors, the degree of the social participation of the elderly was found to be the most significant. However, none of the macrosystemic factors were found to be important in influencing the quality of life of the elderly people. 3. The relative significances of the variables contributing to the quality of life of the elderly were analyzed using a hierarchical regression technique. It was found that there was no significant factor in social background and mesosystemic variables. On the other hand, the degree of the self-efficacy and the level of the economic status from the individual factors, and the intimacy with the spouse and the children from microsystemic factors were found to be very significant in contributing the quality of life of the elderly.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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• v.18 no.5
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• pp.190-199
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• 2017

People's interest in how to lead a happy life when they get older is increasing because of the extension of life span due to thedevelopment of medical technology. Factors that can affect happiness or the strength of the influence of those factors may vary according to age. Previous studies, have found that individuals with promotion focus are more likely to experience happiness than those with prevention focus. However, whether this effect of regulatory focus on happiness is consistent regardless of age has not been sufficiently investigated. Therefore, 1,250 Korean adults from each age group and residence were randomly selected as thesample, and the moderating effect of age on the relationship between regulatory focus and subjective well-being was examined. The results indicated that promotion focus and age have a significant interaction effect on subjective well-being, while the interaction effect of prevention focus and age was not significant. More concretely, the positive effects of promotion focus on life satisfaction and affective balance grew stronger with increasing age. This finding implies that it is especially important for old adults to use promotion focus by actively setting challenging goals and motivating themselves to gain a sense of accomplishment to experience subjective well-being. In addition, social support is proposed as being especially important to activate their promotion focus.