• Journal of Family Resource Management and Policy Review
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• v.26 no.2
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• pp.85-94
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• 2022

This study aims to investigate predictors of the subjective well-being of middle-aged single mothers who experienced divorce or bereavement. The study involved 244 divorced or widowed women from the 7th Korean Longitudinal Survey of Women and Families aged 40-60 who had children and were employed. Descriptive statistics and multiple regression analyses were conducted. The research results showed that the socio-demographic characteristic (marital status and health), person-related variables (satisfaction with leisure activity and stress), and work-related variables (job satisfaction and work-family enrichment) were significantly related to happiness of middle-aged single mothers. Current economic status and stress were associated with depression in middle-aged single mothers. Increasing middle-aged single mothers' participation in healthy leisure activities, reducing their stress, and improving their satisfaction with work were found to be important to enhancing their subjective well-being. Regarding the foregoing, policy directions were discussed for middle-aged single mothers' leisure activities, stress management, and improved satisfaction with work.

• Women's Health Nursing
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• v.8 no.1
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• pp.69-84
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• 2002

The purpose of this study was to develope and test the structural model for depression in middle-aged women. A hypothetical model was constructed on the basis of previous studies and a review of literatures. The conceptual framework was built around eight constructs. Exogenous variables included in this model were volunteer activity, health status & economic status. Endogenous variables were meaning of life, self-esteem, perceived life stress & depression. Empirical data for testing the hypothetical model was collected using a self-report questionnaire from 216 middle-aged women in Pusan City. The Data was collected from May to June, 1999. Reliability of the seven instruments tested with Cronbach's alpha was ranged from .86-.94. For the data analysis, SPSS 7.5 WIN Program and LISREL 8.12 WIN Program were used for descriptive statistics and covariance structural analysis. The results of covariance structure analysis were as follows: 1. The hypothetical model showed a good fit with the empirical data. [$x^2$/df=2.87(p=.72), GFI=1.00, AGFI=.98, RMSR=.025, NFI=.99, standardized residuals ($-1.44{\sim}1.44$)]. 2. To heighten for the parsimony and fitness of the model, a modified model was constructed by deleting according to the criteria of statistical significance and meaning. 3. The modified model also showed a good fit with the data. [$x^2$=5.26(01=7,p=.63), GFI=.99, AGFl=.97, RMSR=.025, NFI=.99, standardized reslduals ($-1.50{\sim}1.45$)] Results of the testing of the hypothesis were as follows : 1. Self-esteem(${\beta}_{42}$=-.48, t=-5.64) had a negative and perceived life stress(${\beta}_{43}$=.20, t=3.21)had a positive direct effect on depression. Meaning of life had a negative direct(${\beta}_{41}$=-.17, t=-2.19) and a negative indirect effect through self-esteem on depression. Volunteer activity had a negative indirect effect through meaning of life, meaning of life and self-esteem on depression. Health status had a negative direct and a negative indirect effect through meaning of life, meaning of life and self-esteem on depression. Economic status had a negative indirect effect through perceived life stress on depression. Self-esteem was the most significant variable. 2. Volunteer activity(${\gamma}_{11}$=.43, t=6.78) and health status(${\gamma}_{12}$=.35, t=4.88) had positive direct effect on meaning of life. 3. Meaning of life(${\beta}_{21}$=.50, t=6.53) had a positive direct effect on self-esteem. Volunteer activity had a positive indirect effect through meaning of life on self-esteem. Health status had a positive direct(${\gamma}_{22}$=.18, t=2.23) and a indirect effect through meaning of life on self-esteem. Meaning of life was the most significant variable. 4. Economic status (${\gamma}_{33}$=-.44, t값=-6.01) had a positive direct effect on perceived life stress. The results of this study showed that self-esteem had the most significant direct effect on depression. Meaning of life and health status had significant direct effect on this self-esteem. Volunteer activity and health status had direct effect on meaning of life. The results of this study suggested that there is a need to develope intervention to promote degree of self-esteem and alleviate degree of depression in middle-aged women.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.12 no.5
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• pp.406-414
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• 2018

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: The objective of this study was to determine dysphagia risk among community-dwelling elderly people living at home. We also examined the impact of socio-demographic variables on dysphagia risk as well as the relationship between dysphagia risk and dietary characteristics. SUBJECTS/METHODS: The study sample included 568 community-dwelling individuals, aged 65 years and above, who were living independently in their own home in Seoul, Gyeonggi, or Gwangju in South Korea. We used a dysphagia risk assessment scale to screen for dysphagia risk and the Mini nutritional assessment to evaluate the nutritional status. Associations between dysphagia risk and other variables were assessed using logistic regression analysis. RESULTS: Of the 568 subjects, 350 (61.6%) were classified into the dysphagia risk group (DR) and 218 (38.4%) were classified into the normal group (non-DR). Being female (odds ratio (OR) = 1.82, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.28-2.59), being 75 years and older (OR = 2.40, 95% CI = 1.69-3.42), having a lower education level (OR = 2.29, 95% CI = 1.33-3.97), and having a lower perceived economic status (OR = 2.18, 95% CI = 1.32-3.60) were more frequently observed with dysphagia risk compared to those who did not have such characteristics. Lowered mastication ability (OR = 14.40, 95% CI = 4.43-46.95), being at risk of malnutrition or malnourished (OR = 2.72, 95% CI = 1.75-4.23), lowered appetite (OR = 3.27, 95% CI = 2.16-4.93), and decreased food intake (OR = 2.95, 95% CI = 1.83-4.78) were observed more frequently in the DR group than in the non-DR group when adjusting for potential confounding factors. CONCLUSIONS: It is necessary to develop and apply integrated programs to improve the dietary habits and nutritional status of elderly individuals at risk for dysphagia, especially for women aged 75 years or older with lower educational and economic levels.

• Journal of the Korean housing association
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• v.17 no.1
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• pp.117-126
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• 2006

This study was conducted as a survey to find out middle-aged persons's housing preferences for a future elderly housing and to grasp background characteristics of persons influencing the preferences and the effect of elderly's aging situations on the changes of their preferences. A sample of 300 middle-aged people was selected purposely from parents of university students living in Gwang-ju city. Questionnaires were administered to parents by students and analysed with SPSS Windows 10 program. Middle-aged persons's housing preferences were differed according to elderly's aging situations, in the case of healthy situation, they tended to prefer to stay present house without their children in irrespective to couple or single, whereas in the case of unhealthy situation, they tended to prefer to live with their children. and couples showed preferences for planned housing for the elderly and singles showed preferences for elderly housing facilities with care services. The most important characteristics of elderly housing among middle-aged people was a places where they can enjoy leisure and provide home-help services, located in the suburbs. Also middle-aged persons were likely to prefer to a green spaces such as garden, path for walking, and madang for the elderly housing. Needs for community care services (NCCS) were required above the average. Among the items of NCCS, a visiting medical examination was the most demanding, and a visiting nursing services, a emergency calling bell, and home repairs were sequently followed in the level of needs. The characteristics of the elderly housing which preferred to and needs for community care services were influenced by middle-aged persons's age, gender, subjective evaluation of economic abilities, tenure status, the cost of living, and the size of housing. This findings suggests that it must to be considered to develop various types of the elderly housing depending on socioeconomic status.

• Health Policy and Management
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• v.29 no.3
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• pp.277-287
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• 2019

Background: Diabetes is known as one of the most important ambulatory care sensitive conditions. This study purposed to assess the status of continuity of care (COC) and diabetes-related avoidable hospitalizations (DRAHs) of a group of middle- and old-aged patients and to observe the relationship of the two elements by the two age groups. Methods: This study utilized the National Health Insurance Service's National Sample Cohort data and the subjects are diabetes patients of 45 and over, classified into two groups of 'middle-aged'(45-64 years) and 'old-aged'(${\geq}65years$) patients. The dependent variable was DRAHs, which was defined in accordance with the definition of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development "Health Care Quality Indicators" project. COC, as an independent variable, is measured by the COC index in this study. Two-part model (multi-variate and multi-level analyses) was utilized. Results: Factors associated with the status and the number of DRAHs differed by each age group. Meanwhile, the two-part model showed that higher COC was associated with a lower risk of preventable hospitalizations in both middle- and old-aged groups. Conclusion: Study findings can provide health policy insights and implications in order to strengthen the primary care system for further improvement of diabetes management, especially for middle- and old-aged groups.

• Journal of the Korean Home Economics Association
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• v.40 no.6
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• pp.133-144
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• 2002

The purpose of this study was to investigate the characteristics of the social networks and its relationship with the psychological well-being of middle-aged men. The participants were 314 men who were married living in Pusan, aged between 40 and 59, having occupation and children. Data were collected by questionnaire which consists of Social Networks Scale and Psychological Well-being Scale. The major results of the study were summarized as follows; First, the range of the social contact with men's own kin was wider than women's. In the contact frequency of midge-aged men, primary networks were shown more frequent contact than the secondary networks. In the characteristics of interactive function of social networks, kinship of the middle- aged men, their partners and friendship networks were the most important among the six networks, which agrees the fact that kin are still the primary source of social support. Second, the level of psychological well-being was lower than family-related satisfaction and work-related satisfaction. In the work-related satisfaction, the level of job satisfaction was lower than the other sub-categories. Psychological well-being of middle-aged men were affected by Social economic status as well.

• Journal of Families and Better Life
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• v.23 no.2 s.74
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• pp.1-10
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• 2005

This study was conducted to examine how Korean elderly perceive elements of successful aging, and to explore the meanings of a successful life in the contexts of the life experiences of the Korean elderly. From life-contextual perspectives, this study explored differences in perception on successful aging by gender and by class (economic status). Forty elderly persons aged 65 and over participated in this study. The data on the perceptions of successful aging in their own life contexts were collected through in-depth interviews. The major result of this study indicates that there are differences in the key theme of successful aging by class (economic status), because cultural and economic contexts influenced the elderly persons' perception of successful aging. This study will help researchers, educators, and practitioners to understand successful aging experience as well as establish the concept of successful aging among Koreans.

• Journal of Home Health Care Nursing
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• v.23 no.2
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• pp.177-185
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• 2016

Purpose: In this study, we sought to identify the impact of aging anxiety and successful aging on the personality traits of elderly. Method: Subjects were 108 elderly persons aged more than 65 years. Data collected from June to November 2015 were analyzed using descriptive statistics, t-tests, ANOVA, Pearson's correlation coefficients, and stepwise multiple regression. Results: With regard to the mean scores of personality traits, conscientiousness yielded the highest score, and neuroticism the lowest. The mean score on aging anxiety was below average, and that on successful aging was above average. Aging anxiety differed significantly according to age, present job, economic status, and health status. Successful aging differed significantly according to having a spouse, economic status, and health status. Significant correlations were found between anxiety and conscientiousness, extraversion, and neuroticism, and between successful aging and conscientiousness, agreeableness, extraversion, openness, and neuroticism. Conscientiousness and neuroticism had an effect on aging anxiety (23.2%), whereas conscientiousness, agreeableness, extraversion, openness, and neuroticism affected aging anxiety (45.3%). Conclusion: These findings indicate that personality traits reduce aging anxiety and lead to successful aging among elderly.

• Research in Community and Public Health Nursing
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• v.14 no.4
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• pp.629-638
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• 2003

Purpose: This study investigated the effects of knowledge and health belief on osteoporosis preventive health behaviors. Methods: The subjects of this study were 266 middle-aged women. Data were collected using a self-reporting questionnaire with 101 questions. The period of data collection was from the 3rd of January to the 28th of February 2003. Data were analyzed using SPSS 10.0 PC+ program. Results: The results were summarized as follows: 1. The average score of knowledge about osteoporosis was 16.93 out of 27. Particularly, middle-aged women had knowledge more about osteoporosis prevention measures than about risk factors. 2. Knowledge, self efficacy and barriers were significantly correlated with osteoporosis preventive health behaviors. 3. As for the relationship between subjects' general characteristics and their health preventive behaviors, the size of living district, economic status, BMI. family history of osteoporosis and perception of health status were found to have significant effects on health preventive behaviors. Conclusions: According to the results presented above, preventive health behaviors may be promoted by increasing knowledge and perceived self-efficacy as well as decreasing individuals' perceived barriers through health education.

• Research in Community and Public Health Nursing
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• v.13 no.2
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• pp.354-362
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• 2002

Objectives: This study was conducted to examine the relationships among perceived life stress, self-esteem, and depression in middle-aged women. Methods: Data were collected from March 30 to May 25, 2000. The study subjects were 123 middle-aged women living in Pusan. The instruments used for this study were the Perceived Life Stress scale developed by Lee (1984), based on the original scale designed by Yu, et al. (1994), Self-esteem scale developed by Rho, et al. (1997), and the Depression scale developed by Ahn (1988). For data analysis, the SPSS PC+ was utilized, by which frequency and percentage, mean and standard deviation, t-test, ANOVA, Sheffe's test and Pearson's correlation coefficients were examined. The reliability of the instruments were tested by Cronbach's $\alpha$, showing the internal consistency of 0.7328 for the self-esteem scale. and 0.8987 for the depression scale. Results: 1) The results showed a relatively low perceived life stress score in the middle-aged women with a mean and standard deviation of 363.18 and 72.92 (range: .00 - 1877.38). 2) The results showed a relatively high self-esteem score in the middle-aged women with a mean and standard deviation of 29.77 and 5.06 (range: 10 - 40). 3) The results showed a relatively high depression score in the middle-aged women with a mean and standard deviation of 39.46 and 9.38 (range: 0 - 61). 4) There were no statistically significant differences in perceived life stress by demographic related factors. 5) There were statistically significant differences in self-esteem by health status (F=8.930, p= .000) and economic status (t=4.792, p= .010). 6) There were statistically significant differences in depression by age (F=3.770, p= .0261). education (F=4.850, p= .003) and regularity of menstrual cycle (F=13.180, p= .000). 7) There was no statistically significant correlation between perceived life stress, and self-esteem in the middle-aged women (r=-.077, p= .399). 8) There was no significant correlation between perceived life stress. and depression in the middle-aged women (r= .010, p= .916). 9) There was a significant negative correlation between self-esteem, and depression in the middle-aged women (r=- .359, p= .000). Conclusion: Higher self-esteem was related to a lower depression status. Therefore, it is necessary to elevate the level of self-esteem in order to reduce the level of depression in middle-aged Korean women.