• 지역사회간호학회지
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• 제33권4호
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• pp.418-431
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• 2022

Purpose: The aims of this study were to examine the rate of depression among older adults living alone and to identify factors associated with depression in older adults living alone during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: A secondary data analysis was performed using data from the 2020 Korea Community Health Survey. The study participants were 18,824 older adults aged 65 years and over living alone. The data of the complex sample design was analyzed with consideration for weights, stratification, and clustering. Complex sample multiple logistic regression was conducted to identify factors associated with depression in older adults living alone during the COVID-19 pandemic. Results: The results showed that the rate of depression in older adults living alone was 6.3%. Older adults living alone with decreased physical activity, decreased hours of sleep, and an increased or similar frequency of meeting with friends or neighbors were found to be more likely to have depression. In terms of factors related to the practice of COVID-19 infection prevention and control rules, not disinfecting regularly and not wearing a mask indoors were related to depression. For health-related factors, fair or poor self-rated health status, not having breakfast every day, and feeling stressed were related to depression. Conclusion: It is recommended to develop tailored interventions to prevent depression among older adults living alone by considering the factors related to their depression during the COVID-19 pandemic.

• 동서간호학연구지
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• 제30권2호
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• pp.127-139
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• 2024

Purpose: This study evaluates activities of daily living activities, health status, and nutritional-related characteristics of older adults living alone by age. Methods: This study analyzed data from aged 65 or older who participated in the National Survey of Living Conditions and Welfare. Data were collected on the following factors: demographic characteristics, comorbidities, body mass index (BMI), need for assistance with activities of daily living, exercise, subjective health status, Mini-Mental State Examination for Dementia Screening (MMSE-DS), and short form of Geriatric Depression Scale (SGDS-K). The definition of malnutrition is BMI <18.5 kg/m² . Results: A total of 3,136 participants were included, with 1,488 classified as younger older adults and 1,648 classified as older older adults. The prevalence of hypertension, difficulties in daily living, need for daily living assistance, MMSE-DS, and SGDS-K scores were significantly higher in the older older adults than in the younger older adults. Both groups had low levels of participation in education and use of community centers or welfare centers. The distribution of cognitive function decline and depression was high in the malnourished group. Furthermore, the malnourished group without cognitive decline or depression had higher monthly income, exercise performance, and use of electronic device. Conclusion: Older adults who live alone suffer from poor health behaviors, activities of daily living, and nutritional status, and the older adults are even more vulnerable. Therefore, monitoring of older adults living alone with poor living conditions is necessary, and intensive efforts are needed to improve their health and functional status.

• 한국보건간호학회지
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• 제36권2호
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• pp.227-239
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• 2022

Purpose: This study aimed to examine the differences in the reciprocal causal relationship between cognitive function and depressive symptoms depending on whether older adults lived with others or alone. Methods: We used panel data retrieved from the sixth (Time 1) and seventh (Time 2) waves of the Korean Longitudinal Study of Aging (KLoSA). The study sample included 2,638 older adults living with others and 628 older adults living alone. We conducted cross-lagged panel analyses (CLPA) to identify the bidirectional causal relationship between cognitive function and depressive symptoms in the groups of older adults living with others and those living alone. Results: In the group of older adults living with others, cognitive function and depressive symptoms showed significant reciprocal relationships. In the group of older adults living alone, although the CLPA confirmed that higher levels of depressive symptoms at Time 1 influenced lower levels of cognitive function at Time 2, cognitive function at Time 1 was not associated with depressive symptoms at Time 2. Conclusion: The results suggest that the strategies for preventing cognitive decline and depressive symptoms should be developed according to whether the older adults live alone. Moreover, further studies should identify factors influencing depressive symptoms among older adults living alone, which will ultimately enable the management of depressive symptoms.

• 노인복지연구
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• 제74권2호
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• pp.163-192
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• 2019

노인자살문제에 대한 효과적인 대응책 마련을 위해 독거노인과 비독거노인 집단을 구분하여 삶의 의미와 자살생각간의 관계를 살펴보고, 우울의 매개효과를 검증하였다. 수도권 지역의 복지관 및 데이케어센터를 이용하는 65세 이상 노인 525명의 설문응답 결과를 분석하였으며, 다중집단분석을 활용하여 독거노인과 비독거노인 집단 간의 경로 차이를 확인한 주요 연구결과는 다음과 같다. 첫째, 독거노인은 비독거노인보다 낮은 삶의 의미 수준을 보였으며, 높은 자살생각과 우울수준을 보이는 것으로 나타났다. 둘째, 두 집단 모두 삶의 의미는 우울에 부적인 영향, 우울은 자살생각에 정적인 영향을 주는 것을 확인하였다. 셋째, 독거노인과 비독거노인 두 집단 모두 삶의 의미와 자살생각 간의 관계에서 우울의 매개효과를 확인하였다. 넷째, 다중집단분석 결과, 두 집단 간의 차이는 나타나지 않았다. 이러한 분석결과를 바탕으로 노인자살문제를 줄이기 위해 삶의 의미를 높이고, 우울을 낮출 수 있는 실천적, 정책적 개입방안을 제시하였다.

• 한국콘텐츠학회논문지
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• 제21권12호
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• pp.607-620
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• 2021

본 연구에서는 독거노인의 사회활동 참여유형이 우울에 미치는 영향을 성별에 따라 분석하였다. 한국고용정보원의 고령화연구패널조사 7차 자료를 활용하여 65세 이상 노인 924명(남=157, 여=767)의 자료를 회귀분석하였다. 분석결과, 사회참여활동의 종류에 따라 우울에 미치는 효과가 다르며, 그 효과에 성별 차이가 있음을 발견하였다. 남성독거노인은 동창회, 향우회, 종친회 등에 참여할수록, 여성독거노인은 친목모임, 여가, 문화, 스포츠 관련 단체에 참여할수록 우울감이 낮아지는 것으로 나타났다. 본 논문의 결과는 사회참여활동을 통해 독거노인의 우울을 낮추는 프로그램과 서비스에서 활동을 구체적으로 세분하고 성별을 고려해야함을 시사한다.

• 대한간호학회지
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• 제42권4호
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• pp.525-536
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• 2012

Purpose: The purpose of the study was to evaluate effectiveness of a peer support program conducted by older community volunteers for older adults living alone. Methods: Thirty volunteers trained as peer supporters were matched with low-income, older adults living alone in the community on gender. Visits occurred on a weekly basis over the 12 month study period, and the volunteers provided peer support for health management to solitary older adults. Data were collected, before the start of the program and again 6 and 12 months after its initialization, from intervention and control groups regarding physical health, general health, mental health, depression, social functioning, and satisfaction with social support. Repeated measures ANOVA was used to analyze data. Results: By the end of the program, socially isolated older adults in the intervention group had significantly higher scores in physical health and general health than elders in the control group. Significant interaction effects between time and group were found for depression, social functioning, and satisfaction with social support. Conclusion: The peer support program undertaken by older community volunteers was effective in improving physical health, general health, depression, social functioning, and satisfaction with social support in socially isolated, low-income, older adults.

• 산업융합연구
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• 제22권1호
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• pp.149-162
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• 2024

본 연구는 우리사회에서 가장 취약한 집단이라고 할 수 있는 여성 독거노인을 대상으로 이들의 우울이 시간의 흐름에 따라 어떠한 변화패턴을 갖는지 그리고 이러한 우울에 영향을 미치는 요인이 무엇인지를 규명하기 위한 종단연구이다. 동시에 본 연구에서는 동일한 노인일지라도 연령에 따른 차이가 크다는 점을 고려하여 여성 독거노인을 전기(the young-old)와 후기노인(the old-old)으로 구분하여 각 집단의 우울에 영향을 미치는 예측요인이 서로 어떠한 차이가 발생하는지를 확인하였다. 주요 분석결과를 살펴보면 다음과 같다. 첫째, 여성 독거노인의 우울은 시간이 지나면서 감소하는 패턴을 갖는 것으로 나타났다. 조건적 모형에서 여성 독거노인의 우울궤적의 초기수준에 영향을 미치는 요인을 살펴보면 그 외 도시보다는 대도시 지역에 사는 노인이, 주관적 건강상태가 좋을수록, 운동을 하지 않는 노인이 초기 우울값이 낮은 것으로 나타났다. 다음으로 여성 독거노인의 우울의 변화율(기울기)에 영향을 미치는 요인을 살펴본 결과, 연령이 높을수록, 대도시에 사는 노인이, 주관적 건강상태가 좋을수록, 친교활동이 적을수록, 사회활동을 많이 할수록 우울수준이 큰 폭으로 감소하는 것으로 나타났다. 마지막으로 여성 독거노인의 우울의 초기값과 기울기에 영향을 미치는 경로에 전기노인과 후기노인 사이에 일부 차이가 있는 것으로 나타났다. 구체적인 내용을 살펴보면, 후기노인의 경우 초기에 사회활동 참여정도가 높을수록 우울의 변화폭은 커지는 반면 전기노인은 유의미한 영향관계가 없었다. 전기노인이 후기노인 보다 초기 주관적 건강상태가 양호할수록 우울의 변화폭이 컸다. 후기노인에게서만 초기에 주기적으로 운동을 하는 노인이 그렇지 않은 노인에 비해 초기 우울값이 높았다. 이상의 분석결과를 바탕으로 여성 독거노인의 우울을 감소시키기 위한 제언을 제시하였다.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• 제51권4호
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• pp.188-195
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• 2018

Objectives: This study aimed to examine the level of dementia knowledge of older Korean adults living alone in rural areas and to identify related factors. Methods: A cross-sectional descriptive design was applied. The participants were 231 older adults living alone who were recruited from 12 of the 13 primary health care posts in the rural area of Chuncheon. Participants' level of dementia knowledge was assessed using the Dementia Knowledge Scale. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, and the t-test, analysis of variance, chi-square test, and Mann-Whitney test were applied. Results: Participants' mean age was $77.3{\pm}5.4$ years, and women comprised 79.7% of the sample. Over half of the participants (61.9%) had no formal education, and all the participants were enrolled in Medical Aid. The participants' average percentage of correct answers was 61.6%. The highest rate (94.4%) was for the item "Dementia can change one's personal character." The item with the lowest proportion of correct answers was "Dementia is not treatable" (23.4%). Dementia knowledge was significantly associated with age, education, health coverage, source of living expenses, and dementia risk. Conclusions: Dementia knowledge among Korean rural older adults living alone was relatively low. Participants' misconceptions about symptoms and treatment could hinder them from seeking early treatment. The results of this study suggest the need for active outreach and health care delivery for rural older adults living alone in South Korea.

• 근관절건강학회지
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• 제29권3호
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• pp.205-217
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• 2022

Purpose: This study aimed to investigate the factors affecting the subjective health status (SHS) of low-income older adults living alone. Methods: This is a cross-sectional correlational study using secondary data analysis. Sociodemographic and health-related characteristics were included in this analysis. The health-related characteristics were categorized into three domains: physical, characterized by the number of chronic diseases and fall-related factors, timed up and go, and grip strength; psychological, in terms of depression and loneliness; and social, in terms of social support. Data were analyzed using descriptive analysis, t-test, ANOVA, Pearson's correlation coefficient, and multiple linear regression analysis. Results: The mean SHS score was 2.46 out of five. Several factors influenced the SHS of low-income older adults living alone, including sex, age, level of education, monthly income, and the three domains. Four significant predictive factors of SHS in low-income older adults living alone were identified (42.5%): the number of chronic diseases, fear of falling, depression, and social support. Conclusion: SHS is a critical factor for older adults living alone on a low-income. Hence, evaluating SHS and developing interventions to improve it periodically is necessay. Such interventions should consider chronic disease management, screening and mediation for depression and fear of falling, and strengthening their social support systems.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• 제18권3호
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• pp.400-411
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• 2024

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Older men who live alone are more vulnerable to poor nutrition. However, little attention has been paid to malnutrition among this population. This study aimed to examine malnutrition and its associated factors among community-dwelling older men living alone. SUBJECTS/METHODS: This cross-sectional descriptive study used cohort data of community-dwelling older adults living alone in South Korea. A total of 230 older men aged 65 and over were included in this study. Nutritional status was assessed using the Mini Nutritional Assessment-Short Form. Multidimensional factors (sociodemographic, health-related, psychosocial, and lifestyle characteristics) were evaluated. Hierarchical logistic regression analyses were conducted to identify the malnutrition-related factors. RESULTS: The prevalence of malnutrition was 32.2% in older men living alone. Low income (odds ratio [OR], 2.44; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.01-5.90), polypharmacy (OR, 2.23; 95% CI, 1.16-4.28), suicidal ideation (OR, 2.13; 95% CI, 1.02-4.45), meal skipping (OR, 3.26; 95% CI, 1.60-6.64), and smoking (OR, 2.86; 95% CI, 1.43-5.73) were significantly associated with malnutrition. CONCLUSION: Malnutrition is a severe health problem in older men living alone. This study highlights the importance of comprehensive and tailored interventions to mitigate malnutrition among older men living alone.