• Korean Journal of Human Ecology
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• v.23 no.6
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• pp.1013-1033
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• 2014

This study attempted to develop a valid and reliable instrument capable of measuring Korea midlife family resilience (The Korea Midlife Family Resilience Scale: KMFRS). An exploratory, non-experimental, cross-sectional, and quantitative design was used to develop and validate the KMFRS. A tentative factor structure of family resilience and an item pool of the scale were constructed through a comprehensive literature review and personal interview. The pilot study was conducted with 424 middle aged adults(40~59) to select items for a scale, resulting in a preliminary scale composed of 70 items. In the main study, the preliminary scale was administered to a national representative sample of 562 middle-aged Korean adults. The scale was filtered into 40 items by the item analysis and an exploratory factor analysis, resulting in 6 factors: Family Connectedness & Problem Solving, Family's Positive Perception of Adversity, Family's Economic Stability, Family Religion & Spirituality, Support of Extended Family, and Support of Friends & Neighbors. These 6 factors explained 61.82% of total variance. The findings of the current study indicate substantial support for the reliability and the validity of the KMFRS. Other challenges and suggestions for future research on family resilience scale are discussed.

• Human Ecology Research
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• v.61 no.2
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• pp.219-231
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• 2023

This study examined attitudes toward factors underpinning a successful marriage and their associations with marital satisfaction among married men and women in midlife. The sample comprised 201 married men and women aged between 40 and 59 living in Seoul, South Korea, and the data were collected by a self-report survey in 2019. Attitudes toward factors underpinning a successful marriage were measured using 12 items from the European Values Study Master Questionnaire 2008 and marital satisfaction was measured using three items from the Kansas Marital Satisfaction Scale. Exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis were performed in order to identify the factors deemed important for a successful marriage, as well as a t-test to explore gendered domains. Additionally, regression analysis was conducted to examine the association between attitudes toward factors underpinning a successful marriage and marital satisfaction. The results revealed two factors that were deemed important for a successful marriage: 'marital exchange based on conditions' and 'qualitative interaction based on sharing.' Women were more likely to believe that both factors were important for a successful marriage than men. The regression analysis revealed that 'qualitative interaction based on sharing' had a positive association with marital satisfaction, while 'marital exchange based on conditions' had a negative association with marital satisfaction, and also that these associations did not differ by gender. The findings imply that a successful marriage can be achieved when married partners make efforts to maintain their relationships through positive interactions and share intimacy in midlife.

• Journal of Korean Public Health Nursing
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• v.22 no.1
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• pp.27-38
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• 2008

Purpose: To determine the degree of cardiovascular disease risk according to socioeconomic factors among midlife women in the community and thereby provide baseline data for the development of health promotion programs. Method: A total of 200 women participated in health screenings and a health survey. The survey was performed in November and December, 2006. The survey instruments included socioeconomic factors, health behavior (smoking and exercise), and family history. Biophysical measurement included BMI and blood pressure. Blood samples were drawn for glucose and total cholesterol tests. Results: The mean age was 52.5 years, 34.0% had received education less than 6 years, 70.0% earned a monthly income of less than \1,500,000, and 61.5% were homemakers. Cardiovascular disease risk was significantly different by age (BMI, systolic BP, and exercise), education (systolic BP), monthly income (T. cholesterol), marital status (smoking), and occupation (exercise). Most women had 2 or 3 cardiovascular disease risks. Older age, lower education, and lower income were significantly associated with increased cardiovascular disease risk. Conclusion: Efforts should be made to decrease the number and severity of cardiovascular disease risk factors for midlife women in the community by developing health promotion programs targeting to modify their cardiovascular disease risk factors.

• Korea journal of population studies
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• v.29 no.2
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• pp.167-194
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• 2006

The purpose of this research is to examine the impact of marriage and parenthood on the physical and mental health, in consideration of gender differences. We have retested various theories including Gove's inequality theory to explain how marriage and parenthood affect the contemporary Korean men and women. This study tries to answer these questions by analyzing the data from ${\ulcorner}$Successful Midlife Development: Survey on Mental health and Work/Family Life Course in Korea and the United States (Han et at., 2001)${\lrcorner}. The data were collected from the survey of 1696 adults (women: 49.5% (n=839)) at the age of 27 to 60. In this survey, physical and mental health were evaluated in three dimensions, respectively: depression, perceived physical health and illness symptoms. The results were that occupying both marital and parental status showed better health profile than possessing other role combinations(single parent/married but no child/never-married). Gender differences and other findings have been discussed further.