• Journal of the Architectural Institute of Korea Planning & Design
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• v.34 no.2
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• pp.13-21
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• 2018

The elderly are more likely to experience passive emotions such as loneliness, anxiety, and depression due to decreased physiological function and low participation in social activities. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to seek how to apply biophilic design from a healing perspective considering mental health to the residential space for the elderly. Biophilic design has a positive effect on the psychological stability of human being and the creation of a human-centered environment that provides various benefits to people's health through the combination with natural elements. The method of this study is as follows. First, survey tools are developed by reviewing literature related to biophilic design and planning factors in housing. Second, we conduct the survey around mental health status and preference of applying biophilic design patterns to the elderly and pre-elderly. Third, we propose a plan to apply biophilic design patterns in houses based on the analyzed results. The biophilic design pattern covered in this study is meaningful in that it seeks clues, the housing plan to create healing environment for the elderly with the nature friendly view.

• The Korean Journal of Rehabilitation Nursing
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• v.15 no.2
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• pp.73-82
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• 2012

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to identify the influencing factors on mental health related quality of life (MHRQoL) in adults across the lifespan. Methods: A total of 688 Korean adults aged 19 years and older were selected. Data were collected by personal interviews or self report using structured questionnaires. For data analysis, t-test, ANOVA, Pearson's correlation coefficients and Stepwise multiple regression were used. Results: Mental health related quality of life (MHRQoL) differed significantly according to life cycle, especially showing a lower score in the elderly than others. In addition, elderly adulthood reported the highest stress and depression. The most significant predictors of MHRQoL in young and middle aged people were stress, depression, and subjective health status. Predictors of MHQoL in the elderly were stress and religion. Conclusion: The results indicate that MHRQoL of adult is associated with stress and depression. When the programs are developed to enhance mental health in elderly adulthood, religion should be considered as well as stress.

• Journal of Digital Convergence
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• v.18 no.7
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• pp.237-246
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• 2020

The purpose of this research is to construct a program for mental health of elderly women and to verify its effectiveness. Researchers in order to verify the effectiveness of this research, a garden cultivation program was conducted for 14 elderly women, and the effectiveness was analyzed quantitatively and qualitatively, In quantitative analysis, nonparametric statistical methods were used, and in qualitative analysis, the content of interviews was written and analyzed. As a result, the mental health of elderly women who participated in garden cultivation programs improved. In particular, in qualitative analysis through interviews, garden cultivation gave participants a chance to escape boredom, motivated them to hang out with others. In addition, the harvest that the participants gained through their efforts, for the participants, fulfillment and unconditional sharing delighted them, indicating a positive change in the mental health of elderly women.

• Journal of Korean Academy of Dental Administration
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• v.11 no.1
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• pp.54-61
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• 2023

This study was conducted to identify factors related to discomfort while speaking in the elderly and provide fundamental data for establishing oral health care policies for a healthy old age. Using the raw data from the 8th wave of the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (2020), we conducted an analysis to examine the relationship between speaking discomfort and mental health, as well as oral health care behavior, among 1,278 elderly individuals in Korea. Differences in speaking discomfort were analyzed based on general characteristics, mental health, and oral health care behavior using complex sample cross-analysis. Additionally, factors associated with speaking discomfort were analyzed using complex sample multiple logistic regression analysis. As a result, individuals with depression experienced higher levels of speaking discomfort (p<0.05), and individuals experiencing high levels of stress also reported higher levels of speaking discomfort (p<0.05). As a factor affecting speaking discomfort, it was found that speaking discomfort was 2.56 times higher (p<0.001) when dental care was not met, and speaking discomfort was 3.05 times higher (p<0.05) when teeth brushing was less frequent. As a result of the aforementioned findings, it is believed that a customized oral health promotion program is necessary to expand dental health insurance coverage for the elderly and improve oral healthcare.

• The Korean Journal of Health Service Management
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• v.9 no.2
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• pp.47-56
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• 2015

The purpose of this study was to observe the health status of the elderly, and to investigate the correlation between their health status and quality of life. Data from the years 2010 and 2011 were used which are from the fifth edition of the 'Survey of the Korean National Health and Nutrition'. According to multiple regression analysis, perceived health status, chronic illness, stress, depression, and suicidal thoughts were important factors in quality of life. Above all, the most important factor was perceived health status (its explanatory power was 36.5%). In conclusion, perceived health status has strong effects on the quality of life in the elderly, and it is necessary to provide more extensive welfare projects to improve the quality of life in Korean elderly.

• Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing
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• v.39 no.5
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• pp.741-750
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• 2009

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to identify the prevalence of cognitive impairment, behavioral problems, and the state of mental health for elderly Korean people who have been institutionalized. Methods: A cross-sectional, nationwide survey was performed using an anonymous questionnaire. The participants in this study were 2,521 institutionalized elderly Korean people. A proportional stratified random sampling method was employed. Results: 1) Elders admitted to subacute hospitals and long term care (LTC) facilities showed a higher level of cognitive impairment compared to elders admitted to acute care hospitals. 2) Elders confined in LTC facilities showed a higher level of behavioral problems compared to elders in acute or subacute hospitals. 3) Elders admitted to subacute hospitals and LTC facilities showed more serious mental health problems, such as depression or suicidal ideation, compared to elders in acute care hospitals. Conclusion: The results of this study indicate that the severity of cognitive-behavioral or mental health problems do not match well with type of care setting. Therefore, health personnel working with elderly people should be provided guidance on detection and management of cognitive-behavioral and mental health problems. The necessity of a decision support system for eligibility and placement in long-term care is also discussed.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.39 no.3
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• pp.286-298
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• 2006

The study aimed to identify major factors related to global self-rated health of the community-dwelling elderly people in rural areas. Interviews were conducted with 433 persons over 65 years of age. The socio-economic characteristics, chronic disease status, measures of functional and mental health, life satisfaction, health-related behaviors including smoking, drinking, exercise, social activity, dietary habit, and food intakes were analyzed to determine their influence on self-rated health index. Data on food intake were obtained through the 24-hour recall method. The self-rated health of rural elderly was poor or very poor as reported by 42.6% and 52.4% of the men and women, respectively. Poor self-rated health was found to be related to elderly aged $65{\sim}74$, female, absence of work, more chronic diseases, dependence on Instrumental Activity Daily Living (IADL), higher mental unhealthy days, lower current life satisfaction, less social activity, lower dietary habit scores, lower intake of total food, fruit, eggs, fishes & shell fishes, vitamin C (%RDA), and Nutrient Adequacy Ratio (NAR). The results of the multiple regression analysis showed that poor self-rated health index is significantly associated with more chronic diseases, mental unhealthy days, gastrointestinal disease, musculoskeletal disease, less social activity, and lower intake of fruits. The results also suggested that improving the nutritional status and functional ability, and reducing the burden of chronic diseases are beneficial to the self-rated health index of the elderly.

• Journal of Korean Public Health Nursing
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• v.27 no.1
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• pp.5-15
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• 2013

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to determine factors related to regular walking exercise in the elderly using KNHNES data. Method: The study subjects, a total of 1437 adults over age 65, were classified into two groups based on their type of walking exercise: regular walking exercise group or irregular walking exercise group. The study variables were measured using scale physiological function, mental health status, chronic disease and quality of life. Results: The data was analyzed by $x^2$-test, t-test, and logistic regression using the SPSS 18.0 program. The factors related to regular walking exercise were male (OR=0.628, 95%CI=0.503-0.783), subjective health state (OR=0.832, 95%CI=0.751-0.921), thoughts of suicide (OR=0.753, 95%CI=0.586-0.967), hypoHDL-cholesterolemia (OR=0.742, 95%CI=0.591-0.930), and stroke (OR=0.604, 95%CI=0.366-0.997). Conclusion: The findings indicate that regular walking exercise in the elderly is related to physiological function, mental health status, and chronic disease. Therefore, providing for the education and awareness of health promotion for the elderly will may improve the quality of life in old age.

• Health Policy and Management
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• v.29 no.1
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• pp.1-3
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• 2019

Suicide is a major problem in Korean health care and a serious social problem. In Korea, 12,463 people (24.3 per 100,000) lost their lives due to suicide in 2017. Although the government has established three National Comprehensive Plan of Suicide Prevention (2004, 2009, 2016), and National Action Plan of Suicide Prevention (2018), the suicide rate is still high. The suicide rate of the elderly is especially high. This is due to the economic vulnerability of the elderly in Korea. Therefore, in order to prevent suicide in Korea, mental health care approach and social welfare approach should be integrated. The intervention of preventing suicide of suicide attempters should include social welfare services as well as mental health program and should be based on community. There are many health problems, including prevention of suicide, which can not be solved only by the efforts of health care. Many health problems are social problems and the integrated approach is needed to solve them. In order to solve many health care problems and improve health, integrated approach of health, social science, and humanities is needed.

• 한국노년학
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• v.31 no.4
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• pp.1135-1153
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• 2011

The study aims to examine the interaction of socio-economic status in education and income in the difference of the level of subjective health, physical health, and mental health of middle-age and the elderly of Korea. While there have been various discussions in precedent study with respect to the serious increase in the number of dependent life alongside with increasing elderly population, research on the health level according to socio-economic status is highly limited, and also how the health level of middle-age and the elderly - whom will arrive at senescence in just a few years - is different. The study aims at analyzing the health level by hierarchy and age based on data targeting the whole nation. As for analysis data, the study utilized 1st Korean Longitudinal Study of Ageing (KLoSA) implemented by Korea Labor Institute, and carried out a path analysis to verify whether income and academic background serve as a parameter to the level of subjective health, physical health, and mental health. As a result, while the subjective health level decreases, the study confirmed an increase in chronic diseases, and extremely low level of mental health when people in middle-age enter the elderly. In addition, the higher the education and income, the more the health levels both on middle-age and the elderly; the result suggests that education background and income have mediated effects in all health level of middle-age and the elderly.