• Korean Journal of Community Nutrition
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• v.20 no.1
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• pp.30-40
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• 2015

Objectives: This study was performed to investigate the associations of food security with socio-demographic characteristics, nutrient intakes and mental health status among older Korean adults. Methods: This study was conducted using data from the 2008-2010 Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES). Subjects were 4,451 adults aged 65~98 years. Food security was measured using a self-reported question on food sufficiency of subjects' household. Based on the answers, study subjects were classified into secure, mildly insecure, moderately insecure, and severely insecure groups. Dietary intake was estimated by 24-hour dietary recall. Nutrient intake was assessed by dietary reference intakes (DRI). As for mental health status, the data on mental stress, depression, and suicide ideation were used. Results: Rate of food insecurity in older adults was 14.3%. Old age, being female, low education, low income level, living alone, and discomfort in daily living were more related to food insecurity. Means of nutrient intakes were significantly different according to food security status. Intakes of calcium, potassium, and vitamin $B_2$ were lower than recommended intakes in all groups. Consumption amounts of soy and soybean products, vegetables, mushrooms, fruits, vegetable oils, meats, eggs, seafood, and dairy products were lower in food insecure groups. Mental stress, depression, and suicide ideation were higher in food insecure groups independent of the gender and income level. Conclusions: These present findings suggested that food security is related to mental health as well as nutrition status in older Korean adults. A national system that include food and psychosocial support programs for the elderly should be considered in order to improve the overall health of older Korean adults.

• Korean Journal of Human Ecology
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• v.21 no.5
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• pp.929-945
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• 2012

This study examined structured social network types and their relationship to quality on life satisfaction of older adults. Respondents were 418 adults aged 60 or older living alone or as couples. The data was analyzed using K-means cluster analysis. Four networks types were identified: diverse, friend-neighbor focused, family focused, and restricted. Life satisfaction was highest for individuals in the diverse network group and lowest for individuals in the restricted network group. Stepwise multiple regression analysis indicated that life satisfaction of the elderly was affected by the diverse network, family focused network, the relationship quality with children, the relationship quality with neighbors, and the relationship quality with relatives. Results suggested that having diverse social network in close proximity is very important in old age and structural network types may have important practical implications for improving the quality of life among the elderly.

• Journal of Music and Human Behavior
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• v.14 no.1
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• pp.63-84
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• 2017

The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between self-perceived benefits from singing and the quality of life of older adults aged 75 years and older. A total of 231 older adults participated in this study with 141 of them living alone and 90 of them living with others. Each participant was instructed to complete the investigator-constructed questionnaire and the Quality of Life scale. The questionnaire consisted of 49 items on demographic information, involvement in leisure activities and singing-related experiences, and perceived benefits from singing. The results showed that the amount of involvement in leisure activities and the measured quality of life were found to differ between the two subgroups of older adults living with and without others. The number of older adults who had singing-related experiences was also differed between the groups. A positive correlation was found between the amount of self-perceived benefit from singing and quality of life. These results indicate that self-perceived benefits from singing could be an important factor for the quality of life of older adults. This study supports the potential benefits of incorporating singing as an active leisure activity into interventions for older adults, expanding the research that has been extensively based on listening-based interventions. Also, it presents clinical implications for how singing interventions and programs could be designed and suggested to support this population to better cope with their life issues and enhance the quality of life.

• The Journal of Korean Society for School & Community Health Education
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• v.22 no.3
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• pp.83-96
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• 2021

Background & objectives: Cognitive function decline is a main factor influencing the overall life of the elderly and places a burden of society. The aime of this study was to investigate the risk factors of cognitive function decline of elderly living alone and living with a spouse. Methods: This study used the Korean Longitudinal Study of Ageing from 2014 to 2018. 243 older adults who lived alone and 1,155 lived with a spouse with the Korean version of Mini Mental State Examination scores in normal range at the time of 2014 were included in the analysis. Logistic regression analysis was conducted to determine the difference of risk factors affecting cognitive function decline between in elderly living alone and elderly living with a spouse. Results: Cognitive function decline incidence rate of elderly living alone was 30.5% and the elderly living with a spouse showed 23.0%. According to the results of logistic regression analysis, the risk factors of cognitive function decline in the elderly living alone was age and residential area, while in the elderly living with a spouse were age, education level, social networks, and depression. Conclusions: The factors that affect the cognitive function decline of the elderly living alone and the elderly living with a spouse were different. Accordingly, other measures to prevent cognitive decline are necessary.

• 한국노년학
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• v.40 no.4
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• pp.577-598
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• 2020

As the socialization of care is progressing rapidly, the necessity of community-level mental health intervention for older adults with severe social isolation and depression is also increasing. In line with the reorganization of the Individualized Support Services for Older Adults in 2020, the social relations revitalization project for the elderly living alone, which had been conducted as a pilot project in 2014~19, was expanded and reorganized into a separate specialized project within the Individualized Support Services for Older Adults. The purpose of this study is to enhance understanding of the specialized service and to clarify its conceptual framework. The characteristics and conceptual framework of the specialized service were examined through a review of the process of institutionalization of the specialized service, which included analysis of related literature and the pilot projects. Finally, it discussed what to consider in order for the specialized service to proceed as intended in the future, focusing on a couple of situations that occur at the fields.

• Journal of Korean Academy of Rural Health Nursing
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• v.19 no.1
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• pp.55-65
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• 2024

Purpose: This study was intended to gain an in-depth understanding of and explored the experiences and meanings of participating in care services among community-dwelling older adults. Methods: A focus group interview approach was adopted. Twenty older adults were interviewed from November to December 2021 using semi-structured interview questions. The data was analyzed using thematic analysis. Results: Three main themes and seven sub-themes emerged for the elderly people living alone. One main theme was "ambivalence of elderly care services," the second was "desperate need for care services," and the third was "positive changes and expectations experienced with care services." For the elderly people living with their families, two main themes and four sub-themes were identified. One main theme was "care services met within the family system," the second was "needs for care services outside the family system." Conclusion: We aim to provide a basis for strengthening the quality of elderly community care services in the mid- to long-term and establish a system of close linkages between necessary services by understanding the needs of elderly people who live alone or with their families.

• The Journal of the Convergence on Culture Technology
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• v.4 no.4
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• pp.301-308
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• 2018

This study examined the relationship between transition in living arrangement and life satisfaction outcomes among older adults in Korea. This study utilized the secondary data of 2 waves(2005-2011) of a Korean Retirement and Income Study from the National Pension Research Institute. This study categorized living arrangement transition over time into 16 categories and used generalized the estimation equation(GEE) modeling to examine the relationship between living arrangement transition group membership and life satisfaction. The results showed that transition in living arrangement in old age was partly and significantly associated with life satisfaction in later life. In particular, the best living arrangement type in older adults in terms of life satisfaction was the coresidence with spouse compared with residence alone or residence with their children. The group of residence with their children was not related to higer satisfaction. More research is needed to explore the mechanism behind older people's trajectory in transition in living arrangement.

• Journal of muscle and joint health
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• v.22 no.2
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• pp.138-147
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• 2015

Purpose: The study was conducted to identify factors influence suicidal ideation among older adults with osteoarthritis. Methods: This study used a cross-sectional design with secondary analysis of the Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. Data for 174 men and 939 women who aged${\geq}65$, and were diagnosed osteoarthritis from the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2010~2012 were included. Suicidal idea, age, sex, education, marital status, living alone, income, body mass index, smoking and alcohol use, exercise, perceived health status, activity limitation, joint pain and stiffness, depressive mood, and perceived stress were measured. Influencing factors and odds ratios were analyzed using complex sample multivariate logistic regression. Results: In the results, 29.9% of the elderly with osteoporosis had suicidal idea. The adjusted odds ratios (ORs) of suicidal ideation were significantly higher among those over 80 years older (OR=2.88, 95% CI=1.49~5.58), those with depression (OR=4.01, 95% CI=2.66~6.04), and those with high levels of stress (OR=2.76, 95% CI=1.79~4.24). Conclusion: Therefore, older adults with osteoarthritis should be screened for depression and stress to decrease suicidal ideation and prevent suicide attempt.

• Journal of Korean Public Health Nursing
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• v.23 no.2
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• pp.219-231
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• 2009

Purpose: This study compared health behaviors between single-member and multiple-member households by gender in adults. Method: Study subjects were 21,757 adults 20-65-years-of-age from the Third Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey in 2005. The relationship between health behaviors and residence characteristics was assessed using multiple logistic regression analysis while controlling for sociodemographic characteristics. Results: Younger women living alone were more likely to drink than older women living with others. Women who were in multiple-member households and had a low income were less likely to exercise regularly, to sleep well, and to have regular health examinations. Age, educational level, and income were significantly associated with smoking, exercise, and health examination rather than residence characteristics in men. Conclusion: Residence characteristics should be considered in developing a public health program to reduce or increase modifiable health behaviors as well as age, gender, education, and income.

• Journal of Digital Convergence
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• v.19 no.5
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• pp.69-79
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• 2021

As the government's public services have been digitized, the necessity of research on the use of e-government services by middle and high-aged people has been raised. Thus, this study aims to verify the mediating effect of digital capacity on the relationship between the family structure and use of e-government services of middle and older aged adults. The study analyzed 1,660 middle and elderly individuals from the 2018 Digital Divide Survey conducted by the National Information Society Agency(NIA) using Baron & Kenny(1986)'s method for mediation. The result is as follows: first, the family structure of the middle and older adults has a significant effect on use of e-government services. Second, the effect of the family structure of middle and older aged people on use of e-government services is partially mediated by digital capacity. The result represents that the elderly living with two or three generations have higher use of e-government services than the elderly living alone and married elderly couple. Also the elderly living with two or three generations have higher digital capacity, resulting in higher use of e-government services. Based on the results, The study suggested that the specific plan for each type of family structure to promote the use of e-government services and a plan to improve the digital capacity of middle and older aged adults.