• English Language & Literature Teaching
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• v.10 no.3
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• pp.143-157
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• 2004

Sam Shepard is one of the leading American playwrights who represented Off-Off Broadway in the l960s and 1970s. In his early days, he wrote many experimental plays but later he turned to realism. However, under the superficial realism in his later plays, we find that they contain experimental devices and themes. True West (1980) is the last play of ills realistic family trilogy. This play shows that the tradition of Old West, which is symbolized and replaced by desert, disappeared in the industrialized clues of modern West. The Old West is compared which the modern West through the struggle of two brothers, Lee and Austin. Their father, 'Old Man', ran out on his family and went to the desert but did not succeed there. He shows that he failed in achieving the American Dream. The family appears unusual and demolished The relationships of the characters are not based on love and belief. The family symbolizes the negative aspects of modern American society. After Austin recognizes the actual situation finding that there is no real life in the modern West, he tries to leave the city and his family. He wants to go to the desert in search of a new life. However, in the last tableau Lee blocks the exit and the two brothers square off. It implies that they are doomed to continue their struggle. The message Implies that American society today is lacking the same positive values they once had in the Old West.

• The Korean Journal of Community Living Science
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• v.20 no.2
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• pp.275-289
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• 2009

The purpose of this study is to examine the middle aged's perception of aging and the degree of physical/financial/social preparation for later life and to explore the effect of the middle aged's perception of aging, who live in Gwangju & Jeonnam of Korea, on physical/financial/social preparation for later life. This research also explores gender differences in perception of aging, preparation for later life and related factors. For the purpose, the survey data was gathered from 424 middle aged (40's & 50's) citizens who live in Gwangju and Jeonnam, using structured questionnaire. The statistical methods used for data analysis are descriptive statistics, cross tables, t-test, correlations and regression with Spss/win 17.0 program. The major findings of this study are as follows: Most of the respondents perceive that the age of being aged is 65 or 70 years old. Respondents feel anxiety about health (84%), finance (57%) and roleless role (22%) of later life. Female group feel health anxiety more than male group. Many people perceive that social preparation for later life is better than financial preparation and physical preparation for later life. The result shows that female group perceives their physical preparation level more positively than male group generally. But, there were no differences in financial and social preparation between gender groups. Finally, the result shows the meaningful relationships between male group's perception of aging and financial preparation for later life. Monthly income is the most important variable predicting preparation for later life.

• Journal of Families and Better Life
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• v.26 no.5
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• pp.129-142
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• 2008

This study examines how economic and psychological characteristics affect the quality of life (QoL) of elderly individuals age 60 and older, who live in the Seoul-metropolitan area. Relationships among socio-demographic status, economic conditions, psychological characteristics, family life, health status, and QoL are examined by t-test and ANOVA(Duncan's test as post hoc multiple comparisons), and the multiple regression analysis is used to estimate QoL determinants in the elderly. The major findings of the study are as follows. First, younger age, higher education levels, better health status, harmonious family relations, higher levels of household income, lower levels of loneliness, and higher self-esteems are related to higher QoL levels. Second, the impacts of factors on QoL are differentiated according to tercile groups that divide monthly allowance of respondents into three categories: below normal (threshold amount below 21MW), near normal (threshold amount between 21MW and 35MW), and above normal (threshold amount above 35MW). For each tercile group, poor health status or higher loneliness have negative effects on QoL, while harmonious family relationship has a positive effect. For the below-normal group, years of education or self-esteem have positive effects, while age or retirement status have negative effects when controlling for other factors. For the near-normal group, being married, or perceived financial insecurity create lower QoL levels, while higher self-esteem increases QoL levels. For the above-normal group, being widowed, employed, or retired have positive effects on QoL, when controlling for other variables. Third, even among elderly with high allowances, the effects of health status and family relationship are significant determinants that explain QoL levels. This result suggests that, for te elderly, poor health status and poor family relationships severely decrease QoL in later life, regardless of economic condition.

• The Korean Journal of Community Living Science
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• v.26 no.1
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• pp.51-61
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• 2015

This study introduces the possibility of the $9^{th}$ stage by Joan Erikson by adding Erikson's original theory of the $8^{th}$ stage and validates the gerotranscendece scale in later life. For this, 10 items from Erikson's scale was examined and the relationships among gerotranscendence, ego-integrity, and wisdom were examined using a sample of 244 elderly individuals over the age of 60. According to the results, the measurement of gerotranscendence based on Erikson was applicable to the Korean sample. In addition, ego-integrity and wisdom influenced gerotranscendence in later life. Based on these results, the validity of gerotranscedence, psychosocial development in the $9^{th}$ stage, discussed and the utility of Erikson's theory is emphasized.

• Korean Journal of Human Ecology
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• v.19 no.6
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• pp.1031-1044
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• 2010

Corresponding to the rapid growth of the aging population without an adequate social safety net for the elderly, older people face great disadvantages due to sudden illness or poor health and a lack of support from the younger generation. Furthermore, older women are suffering from a drastic deterioration of their economic status because of insufficient retirement savings. Examining the impact of labor force participation and living arrangement on health status and life satisfaction in later life, it is important to consider gender differences in context of social policies for the elderly. Using data based on a stratified national sample of the elderly by the Korean Longitudinal Study of Aging (KLoSA), multiple regression model were used to estimate the relationships between labor force participation and health status and subjective life satisfaction concerning the quality of their later life. The result indicates that good health status and high level of life satisfaction are associated with the type of paid work status for the elderly men, but those are associated with the type of non paid work, such as family businesses employees for the elderly women. Significant differences in chronic health condition and subjective life satisfaction by employment characteristics are found among the elderly. In addition, older women's high level of life satisfaction was associated with the participation of the social activity. The major conclusion from these results should help us understand gender differences in the elderly and acknowledge further exploration of gender variations in these people's later life.

• Journal of Families and Better Life
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• v.32 no.5
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• pp.87-105
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• 2014

The purpose of this study was to investigate the factors associated with instrumental support (i.e., economic and practical support) from parents to their adult children. We examined both parents' attitudes toward instrumental support for adult children and parents' actual provision of instrumental support. From the data of the 2010 second National Survey of Korean Families, we selected 532 mothers and 524 fathers who were married and had at least one adult child aged over 25. Multiple regression analyses by the parents' gender showed that fathers were more likely to agree with instrumental support for adult children in general when they had unmarried children, had a lower household income level, had a lower evaluation of their socio-economic class, were satisfied with their own household economic situation, had positive attitudes toward caregiving for elderly parents, and were satisfied with their couple relationships. For mothers, they were more likely to agree with instrumental support for adult children in general when they had positive attitudes toward caregiving for elderly parents, were satisfied with their couple relationships, and perceived their child as someone to rely on in times of difficulties. Our analyses of the actual provision of support indicated that fathers tended to provide more support when they perceived that they were healthy, had unmarried children, were less satisfied with their household economic situation, had negative attitudes toward child-rearing, and reported a higher quality of parent-child relationship. For mothers, they were more likely to provide actual support when they were healthy, had unmarried children, had a higher level of household income, were financially preparing for later life, and less satisfied with their couple relationships. The findings of this study imply that it is imperative to distinguish the attitudes toward support from the actual provision of support and to also consider parents' gender in the literature on instrumental support for adult children.

• Journal of Families and Better Life
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• v.20 no.3
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• pp.73-85
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• 2002

The purpose of this study was to develop and evaluate the Marital Equality Education Program for women farmers and their husband. Based on the empirical research result of 980 women farmers as basic study for developing this program, marital equality theory, system theory, strong family perspective, stress coping theory, anger control theory, modified Couple Communication Program, marriage enrichment methods, 7 session program was developed. The contents of every session were Reviewing Marriage Relationships, Coping Role Stress, Marital Equality, Self Expression & Speaking, Understanding Spouse & Listening, Anger Control& Resolving Conflict, and Enhancing Marital Relations. The effectiveness of this program was evaluated by pretest, post test, and follow-up 1 month later through 35 rural couples(women farmers and their husband) and it was analyzed by paired t-test and qualitative evaluation was also investigated. The major results were as follows : This program was effective in improving their self-esteem, marital satisfaction, coping role stress & conflicts, and husband's egalitarian role attitude & practice. The results suggested the program had also Positive impacts on the marital equality and relationships. Future research and practical implications were added.

• 한국노년학
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• v.30 no.3
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• pp.727-741
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• 2010

To examine the relationship between computer game use and psychosocial development in mid-to later adulthood, this study included 486 adults over 50 years old with computer game use, self-esteem, generativity, psychological well-being, relationship with children and grandchildren. Results showed that the adults in mid to later adulthood using computer game reported diverse attractive characteristics of computer game and game helped their daily life in diverse dimensions. Second, the adults using computer game reported higher self-esteem than the one not using it. Finally, the adults who perceived the computer game more positive reported better relationships with children and grandchildren, higher generativity, and higher psychological well-being. Based on the research results, developing of adult education program using computer game as a way of recreation was discussed.

• Journal of Family Resource Management and Policy Review
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• v.15 no.4
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• pp.107-127
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• 2011

The purpose of this study is to examine demographic characteristics, psychological characteristics and patterns of supportive relationships with their children that affect the successful lives of the elderly. A survey was conducted of 410 people aged between 65 and 85, and 405 samples were used for the analysis. First, the supportive relation between the elderly and their children was categorized into four groups depending on the total amount and direction of support. The four groups consisted of the elderly who exchanged little or no support, those who only received support from their children, those who only gave support, and those who both gave and received support. Second, the more the elderly exchanged support and gave emotional support to their children, the better the chance that the elderly would lead a successful life in later years. Third, subjective health conditions most significantly affected the successful lives of the elderly who exchanged little or no support. The level of education was most significant for the elderly who only received support. The level of housing satisfaction mostly affected the elderly who only gave support. Mutual support primarily affected the elderly who both gave and received. Thus, we should provide health programs for the elderly who exchange little or no support to encourage a healthier lifestyle. In addition, opportunities for continuing education should be provided for the elderly who only receive support to make up any deficiency in education. Because spouses are mostly affected for those elderly who exchange little or no support and the elderly who only receive support, we should provide educational programs about how to be better lifetime companions to each other and also provide medical and in-home care for the remaining spouse even after the other partner is gone. Because housing satisfaction greatly affects the elderly who only give support, improvements in the residential environment are essential. Since the level of mutual support is crucial to the elderly who both give and receive support, programs on the development of human resources are needed for the elderly to interact dynamically and intimately with their children.

• Korean Journal of Culture and Social Issue
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• v.12 no.5_spc
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• pp.45-79
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• 2006

The purpose of this paper was to review the results of the subjective well-being(swb) studies performed by Hahn and coworkers in Korean culture. As the correlates of swb, we dealt with demographic/individual difference variables, intrapersonal variables, interpersonal process variables, and Korean cultural variables. We proposed that the components of swb were consisted of quality of life(cognitive swb) and overall happy feelings about one's own life(emotional swb). It was also assumed that a measure of total swb could be calculated by summated mean of cognitive swb and emotional swb measures. The data of the swb studies were analyzed and interpreted according to the above three measures of swb. The results of a nationwide survey(Hahn, 2004) from age of 19 to 75 years ald(n=2,230) showed significant simple correlation coefficients between the following demographic/individual difference variables and swb: Gender difference in swb was found(total swb r=.08, p<.001; life satisfaction r=.10, p<.001; overall emotional swb r=.05, p<.05). Men were happier than women in terms of all three measures of swb. It was also found that women appeared to experience greater positive and negative emotions. Correlation between age and emotional swb(r=.09, p<.001) was significant, but life satisfaction was not significant(r=.04, n.s). Correlations between economic status and swb were also significant(total swb r =.23, p<.001; life satisfaction r=.15 p<.001; overall emotional swb r=.15, p<.001l). Although existence of father was negatively related to emotional swb(r=-.05, p<.05), the existence of mother was not related to any of swb measures. Similarly existence of brothers was related positively to overall emotional swb, but existence of sisters was not. Though existence of son was not related to swb, daughter contributed negatively to swb(total swb -.12, p<.01; life satisfaction -.09, p<.05; emotional swb r=-.12, p<.01). We assumed that family member-in-Iaw also contributed to swb because the extended dose social networks were important in Korean culture. The results showed that the following family member-in-law variables were related to swb: Parents-in-law(total swb r=.11, p<.01; life satisfaction r=.10, p<.01; emotional swb r=.10, p<.01), father-in-law(total swb r=.11, p<.01; life satisfaction r=.11, p<.01; emotional swb r=.06, n.s). The result suggested that especially father-in-law contributed to swb through financial and social support. Correlations between emotional experiences in everyday life and swb were also presented. The range of correlation coefficients between the positive emotion measures and swb were r=.30~.48(p<.001) when the above two measures obtained at same time. But the range decreased to r=.19~32(p<.001) when the swb measure was obtained 9 month later longitudinally. Intercorrelations between positive emotional experience; and life satisfaction were r=.37~58(p<.001) when two measures were obtained at same time. We also examined the effects of the intrapersonal cognitive responses to the most stressful life event upon swb. The results of nationwide survey(n=1,021) showed that self-disclosure(total swb r=.09, p<.010; life satisfaction r=.10, p<.01; emotional swb r=.07, p<.01), rumination(total swb r=-.17, p<.001), thought avoidance(total swb r=.12, p<.001; life satisfaction r=-.08; emotional swb r=-.12, p<.001) and suppression(total swb r=-.13, p<.001; life satisfaction r=-.08, p<.05: emotional swb r=-.13, p<.001) contributed to swb. It was also suggested that mismatch between self-guide and regulatory focus contributed negatively to emotional swb. It was also found that social comparison motives and fulfillment of the motives contributed to swb. The results of a survey research(n=363 college students) revealed that the higher the general social comparison motive, the lower the swb(total swb r=-.15, P<.01: life satisfaction r=-.17. p<.01; emotional swb r=-.10, p<.05). It was also found that satisfaction level of self-evalution motive contributed positively to swb(total swb r=-.14. p<.01: life satisfaction r=-.12, p<.05; emotional swb r=.15, p<.001). Both of self-improvement motive(r=.13, p<.05) and satisfaction level of self-improvement motive(r=.12, p<.05) contributed positively to emotional swb, respectively. The above results suggested that swb was depended upon the interaction effect of social comparison motive; and level of fulfillment of the motives. We also reported the significant multiple predictors of swb in a sample of age from 60years to 89years olds. The results of multiple regression analysis showed that the significant multiple predictors of swb were past illness(β=.174, p<.001), economic status(β=.418, p<.001), marital satisfaction(β=.0841, p<.001), satisfaction of offsprins(β=.065, p<.01), expectation level of social support from offsprings(β=-.049, p<.001), and negative emotions(β=-.454. p<.001) among 16 social psychological factors. It was also found that swb was an important multiple predictors of physical health. This finding was replicated in a longitudinal study. Both of positive and negative emotional experiences were significant multiple predictors of physical health one year later. The results of the discriminant analysis showed both of total swb and positive emotional experiences contributed to discriminate the happy and healthy olds from unhappy and unhealthy olds. We paper also examined the effects of the nonnative social behaviors upon swb in Korean culture. The main hypotheses of the study(Hahn, 2006, in press) was that the important nonnative behaviors would influence on swb through both of the mediation processes of adjustment to social relationships and psychological stress. The survey data were collected from 2,129 adults age of 19 to 75, from 7 regional areas in Korea. The results of the study revealed that almost all of correlation coefficients between 15 normative social behaviors and the above three criteria w-ere significant. The fitness test results of the covariance structural equation model showed that all of the fitness indices were satisfactory (GFI=.974, AGFI=.909, NNFI=.922, NFI=.973, CFI=.974. RMR=.049, RMSEA=.073). The results of the analysis revealed that the following five path coeffi6ents from behaviors to social adjustment were significant; behavior tor family and family members(t=5.87, p<.001), courteous behavior(t=4.39, p<.001), faithful behavior (t=2.15. p<.05). collectivistic behavior(t=8.31, p<.001). Seven path coefficients from the normative behaviors to psychological stress were significant; behavior for family and family members (t=-4.63, p<.001), faithful behavior(t=-3.86, p<.001). suppression of emotional expression(t=3.99, p<.001), trustworthy and dependable behavior(t=-2.21, p<.05), collectivistic behavior(t=3.72, p<.001), effortful and diligent behavior(t=2.94, p<.001), husbandry and saving behavior(t=3.40, p<.001). The above results suggested that four normative behaviors among seven behaviors contributed negatively to psychological stress in current Korean society. The results abo confirmed the hypothesized paths from social adjustment (t=10.40, p<.001) to swb and from psychological stress(t=-19.74, p<.001) to swb. The important results of the study were discussed in terms of the Confucian traditions and recent social changes in Korean culture. Finally limitations of this review paper were discussed and the suggestions for the future study were also proposed.