• Journal of agricultural medicine and community health
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• v.26 no.2
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• pp.193-203
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• 2001

The purpose of this study was to identify the relationship between depression and physical health of the elderly and to provide fundamental data for programs which improve the health of this population. The subjects were 168 elderly people(55 years and older) who resided at home in Taegu. They were surveyed by interview using a closed- ended questionnaire. The survey was done from September 16 to October 16 in 2000. The instruments used in this study were general characteristics, Short form Geriatric Depression Scale(SGDS), Barthel Index, Muscular skeletal symptoms scale, Northern Illinois University's Health Self Rating Scale. The data were analyzed by using descriptive statistics, t-test, ANOVA, Pearson Correlation Coefficient, multiple regression with SPSS PC 10.0 version for Windows. The findings were as follows: 1. As compared 65-74 years elderly group, 75-84 years group was significantly higher score for depression(F=3.17, p=.026). As compared elderly group who has own spouse, the group who has no own spouse was significantly higher score for depression(t=- 2.44, p=.016). 2. The aged who have more limitation of Activities of Daily Living(ADL)(t=3.93, p=.000), pain of muscular skeletal symptoms(F=5.33, p=.002) and poor perceived health state(F=17.04, p=.000) showed the higher severity of depression than the aged who have not. 3. ADL correlated negatively with depression(r=- .293, p=.000), pain of muscular skeletal symptoms correlated positively(r=.251, p=.001), perceived health status correlated negatively(r=-.522, p=.000). 4. The combination of perceived health status and ADL explained 29.1% of the varience of depression. On the basis of the above findings the following recommendations are made; 1. Developing health programs is needed considering ADL, pain of muscular skeletal symptoms, perceived health status, demographic variables (age, spouse status) which have an significant effects on depression of the elderly. 2. In the following study, the use of the various scale is needed which reflects physical status of the elderly in home.

• Korean Journal of Culture and Social Issue
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• v.30 no.1
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• pp.81-100
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• 2024

This study validated and investigated the psychological properties of the Korean version of Everyday Ageism Scale to measure subtle ageism in day-to day lives. A total of 498 adults aged 60 and above participated in this study, which involved measuring the everyday ageism scale, experiences of elderly discrimination, self-perception of aging scale, depression (SCL-90R), and satisfaction with life scale. The sample was randomly divided into two groups.Tthe first group(n=198) used for exploratory factor analysis and reliability analysis, and the second group(n=300) was used for confirmatory factor analysis and validity testing. As a result, if was confirmed that K-EAS consist of 10 items and 3 dimensions (i.e., exposure to ageist messages, ageism in interpersonal interactions, and internalized ageism), consistent with the original scale. K-EAS demonstrated good internal consistency, convergent validity, discriminant validity, and incremental validity. In specific, ageism in interpersonal interactions and internalized ageism were correlated with experiences of elderly discrimination, negative self-perceptions of aging, and depression. However, ageism in interpersonal interactions and internalized ageism were negatively correlated with positive self-perceptions of aging and satisfaction with life. Also, the K-EAS provided additional explanation of depression even when excluding the effect of experiences of elderly discrimination. The result confirme that K-EAS is reliable and valid. The implication and limitations of this study, as well as suggestions for the use of K-EAS and future research, were discussed.

• Journal of Digital Convergence
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• v.22 no.2
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• pp.11-20
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• 2024

The aim of this study was to develop a group counseling program as an integrative psychotherapy program to alleviate depression and physical symptoms of 22 women in 60s who experience depression as a symptom of conversion disorder and also tried to prove the effectivity of the program by using comparative analyze of pre-post changes. The Korean-style Elderly Depression Test(K-GDS), Symptom Interpretation Questionnaire(SIQ), Hamilton Depression Assessment Scale Questionnaire, PHQ-9 and interpersonal relationship scale (RCS) were conducted and pre-post-corresponding sample t-test, correlation analysis and multiple regression analysis were performed. The results showed depression reduction, physical symptoms alleviation, decreases in negative emotions and beliefs, and positive changes in interpersonal relationships. The implications and limitations of this study were discussed.

• The Journal of the Korea Contents Association
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• v.16 no.5
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• pp.623-637
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• 2016

This study examined the importance of social capital in facilitating older adults' learning and adaptation of information technology as well as alleviating depressive symptoms. At two senior community centers in South Korea, 144 adults aged 60 and older were recruited to participate in 12 week-long technology classes to learn computers, smart phone, and internet skills. At the baseline interviews were conducted to assess their health status, depression, and online social relationships. Online and offline social capital (bonding vs. bridging) was assessed (Williams, 2006). Four-step Hierarchical Linear Regression analysis was conducted to examine the effects of online social relationship on depression. Findings suggested that depressive symptoms were associated with being widowed, being unemployed, and perceiving poor health status. Adding social capital variables in the final step, older adults who perceived less stressors, greater level of subjective health and high online bonding capitals had less depressive symptoms. Only online social bonding was significant in alleviating depression. This final model explained 48% of the variance. Computer/Internet training for older adults need to consider the significant role bonding social capital can play. The findings of this pilot study provided a preliminary base of knowledge about acceptable community-based interventions for older adults.

• 한국노년학
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• v.28 no.4
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• pp.991-1007
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• 2008

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to compare depression and quality of life(QOL) according to the severity of insomnia in elderly. Method: The survey participants were 463 community-dwelling adults aged 65 or older. Severity of insomnia was measured by assessing a time-length to get to sleep, the number of breaks in sleep, a time-length to get to sleep after awakening, and a usual sleep pattern. Depression and QOL was measured, respectively, a modified Zung's depression scale and SF-36. The data were collected from May to June in 2005 and analyzed using the SPSS program for descriptive statistics, ${\chi}^2$-test, t-test, and ANOVA with Scheffe test. Results: A majority of the participants(75.6%) presented mild(65.0%) or severe(10.6%) insomnia. Severity of insomnia was different depending on sex, a marriage status, and sleep patterns such as hours of sleep on average, time to go to bed, and time of awakening(p<0.05). Depression and QOL were related to the severity of insomnia(p<0.05). The elderly suffering from insomnia needs nursing interventions considering demographics and sleep patterns in oder to prevent depression and to improve QOL. Future research is in need for predicting and preventing depression and QOL in elderly.

• Journal of Yeungnam Medical Science
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.151-166
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• 2004

Background: Spirituality has been an important part of Transpersonal Psychology and is believed to have a large effect on the mental health because it has been systematized. The aim of this study was to determine the level of spiritual disposition on human beings along with its effects on one's mental health. Materials and Methods: The study targeted 400 women residing in Youn-Gil city of JiLin Prov., which is a district of the Cho-Sun tribe in China. Their spiritual well-being was studied using the Spiritual Well-being Scale-Korean Version. The spiritual well-being scale consists of 2 sub-scales of religious well-being and existential well-being. The study was evaluated using a lie scale, psychotic trend, and a combined anxiety-depression scale. The results were considered to be factors of one's mental health. The correlation between the spiritual well-being and each tendency was analyzed by regression analysis. Results: The total score of the Cho-Sun tribal women according to the spiritual well-being scale was 68.29 which was much less than the 100.65 of Korean Christian women. There was no significant correlation between the spiritual well-being and the Lie trend. However, it was found that 86%(344) of Cho-Sun tribal women scored above 70 in the Lie trend with a mean score of 74.57 which is higher than normal populations. Regarding the correlation between the spiritual well-being and psychotic trend, the psychotic trend became significantly higher when the religious well-being was at a high level. On the other hand, the psychotic trend became significantly lower when the existential well-being was at a high level. Regarding the correlation between the spiritual well-being and anxiety, the anxiety was significantly higher when the religious well-being was at a high level. However, the anxiety level was significantly low when the existential well-being was at a high level. Regarding the correlation between the spiritual well-being and depression, the depression level was somewhat significantly high when the religious well-being was at a high level. However, the depression level was significantly low when the existential well-being was at a high level. Conclusion: This study evaluated the effects of spiritual well-being on a person's mental health among Cho-Sun tribal women in Youn-Gil city of JiLIn Prov., P.R. of China. The results found that the religious well-being, which is a sub-scale of spiritual well-being, had negative effects while the existential well-being had positive effects on the mental health. These results proved that a person's religious disposition had negative effects on their mental health in a communitarian society.

• Therapeutic Science for Rehabilitation
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• v.13 no.3
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• pp.9-21
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• 2024

Objective : This study investigated the effects of depression on online and offline social interactions among middle-aged and older adults with the aim of enhancing their social connectivity and mental well-being. Methods : Utilizing the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 and the Lubben Social Network Scale-6, this study assessed depression and social relationships in 429 middle-aged adults. We explored the mediation effects of offline relationships on online interactions using path analysis and the Sobel test. Results : Significant links were found between depression and social relationships in a cohort of educated males averaging 63 years of age. Offline interactions mediated 32% of the influence of depression on online relationships, with strong model fit indices emphasizing the importance of offline social interactions. Conclusion : This study highlights the role of active engagement in online and offline networks in improving mental health and managing the impact of depression on social activity among older adults, helping prevent isolation.

• Journal of Digital Convergence
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• v.14 no.4
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• pp.11-17
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• 2016

This study is to examine the effect that the degree of alcohol use and the factor of family relationship have on alcohol related problem with elderly people over 65 years old. The study utilized the data from Korea Welfare Panel Study in 2014 published in 2015, which is annually conducted nationwide study. AUDIT (Alcohol Use Disorder Identification Test) of the World Health Organization scale to assess the drinking problem in the study was used. The collected data were analyzed using SPSS 21.0. Presenting some discussions on the basis of the results of this study is as follows. First, looking at a cross-analysis of gender differences in drinking problems, elderly men and elderly women showed different degrees of alcohol problems. Second, looking at demographic characteristics that influence whether a drinking problem, younger age showed a serious drinking problem. Third, looking at the effect that depression and family relationship have on alcohol problem, depression appeared to have relatively more serious effect than the family relationship. According to the above finding, physical and mental health for healthy aging are important factors of the quality of life so a preventive approach to maintain healthy habits is considered to be essential.

• Korean Institute of Interior Design Journal
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• v.25 no.2
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• pp.13-20
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• 2016

Recently, the concern of aging society is 'Healthy life' for the elderly and pre-elderly. Especially, realizing the 'Healthy life', it is very important for the elderly to establish living environment for holding and maintaining mental depression. Mental depression is related to dysfunction of sensory organ included physical functions. Therefore, the dysfunction of elderly's sensory organ is required to the guideline of environmental planning. In this study, among five senses, I focused visual sense due to the large proportion of environmental perception. The purpose of this study is to analyze the degree of geriatric depression and preference of simulated images applying preferable color for the elderly. This study conducted literature review and questionnaire survey. Firstly, the previous studies related with the melancholy, sense of isolation, self-regard for the elderly analyzed. Secondly, the questionnaire tool measuring the degree of geriatric depression developed. Thirdly, the tool investigating the preference for the simulated images applied main, sub, and accent colors produced. Applied preferable colors were used from the results previous study. Lastly, based on the result, the basic data of color planning were suggested. It was judged that this study is an useful as the basic guideline of color planning for the elderly's residential spaces and the potential value of considering geriatric depression and the color planning in terms of the elderly's visual sense.

• 한국노년학
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• v.32 no.2
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• pp.559-576
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• 2012

This research aims to address the effect of Guided Autobiography(GAB) on ego-integrity, depression and life-satisfaction in the elderly and to investigate psychological changes and experiences on the senior subject. 20 subjects participated weekly autobiography writing sessions in a senior academy in the S city for 13 weeks. In this research, we carried out examination on ego-integrity, depression test, and life-satisfaction survey were performed before and after the writing sessions for a quantitative analysis, which was later investigated through a 'corresponding sample T-test'. Based on the results of the above mentioned tests, the qualitative analysis was conducted through an individual sessions with 5 selected participants. The results of this research are summarized as following. First, ego-integrity showed satisfactorily meaningful difference between pre- and post-GAB writing. The participants recollected the past repent and revisited unresolved issues in their lives. The subjects were able to accept these past misdemeanors and appreciate their lives. GAB indeed helped improving ego-integrity. Second, the hypothesis that GAB writing will help decrease depression was accepted. 2-page weekly writing assignments enabled the participants think of joyful moments in their past, and showed decrease the symptoms of depression. Third, this study revealed that GAB writing improved life- satisfaction. The participants learned to express gratitude and peace in their mind. The happy feeling and optimistic thoughts enhanced their satisfaction of life in turn. In addition, it turned out that the effects of GAB were more drastic in group sessions than in individual writings. Interpersonal interactions in group sessions encouraged the exchange of positive feedback, thereby helping them reflect themselves positively.