• Journal of Family Resource Management and Policy Review
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• v.23 no.1
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• pp.17-34
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• 2019

Older women who live alone are among society's most vulnerable people, since they experience increased risk of multiple chronic diseases and have limited financial protection. This can lead older women living alone to catastrophic health expenditure(CHE), which is defined as a healthcare expenditure that exceeds a certain portion of a household's ability to pay. Using the Korean Longitudinal Study of Ageing(KLoSA), this study investigated the incidence of CHE among older women living alone and identified the factors related to this incidence. Applying health expenditure thresholds of 10%, 20%, 30% and 40% of ability to pay, the proportions of those with CHE were 41.3%, 22.9%, 14.6%, and 9.4%, respectively. Logistic regression models were used to identify factors related to CHE incidence, which include demographics, income, the number of chronic diseases, perceived health status, and health insurance type. The results show that the health care safety net in South Korea is insufficient for older women living alone. The findings can guide policymakers in improving healthcare and welfare policies to protect people from catastrophic payments. Particularly, welfare policies should be established for poor non-recipients who are not included within the benefits scope of the National Basic Livelihood Security System due to the unrealistic criteria of income recognition and family support obligation.

• Journal of Korean Academy of Fundamentals of Nursing
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• v.16 no.3
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• pp.333-344
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• 2009

Purpose: This study was done to identify differences in health habits, perceived stress, depression, and suicidal thinking by gender for elderly people who are living alone and elderly people who are living with others. Method: The study participants were 4,051 people aged 65 years and over who were surveyed in the Third Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey in 2005. The relationship among outcomes and living arrangement by gender in elders was assessed using multiple logistic regression while controlling for sociodemographic characteristics. Results: Older men living alone were less likely to have breakfast and more likely to perceive stress and think of suicide than older men living with family or others. On the other hand, older women who live alone were less likely to perceive stress than older women who live with others. Age, educational level, income, and number of diseases were significantly associated with each individual outcome. Conclusion: This study showed that living alone has a significant impact on physical health habits and psychological health of elderly people, especially for older men. Therefore, living arrangement should be considered in developing a health promotion program for elders as well as age, gender, education, and income.

• Journal of Korean Gerontological Nursing
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• v.20 no.3
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• pp.177-184
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• 2018

Purpose: Self-efficacy encompass one's belief in one's ability to organize and achieve goals. Previous studies have not adequately examined the mediating role of self-efficacy between social support and health promotion behavior. Therefore, this study explored the mediating role of self-efficacy in the relationship between social support and health promotion behavior among older women living alone. Methods: Participants were 145 older women living alone attending a local welfare center for seniors. They completed the Self-efficacy Scale, Medical Outcome Study Social Support Survey Scale, and Health Promoting Lifestyle Profile II. Data were analyzed using Descriptive statistics, Pearson correlation coefficients, Baron and Kenny's regression analysis and the Sobel test with the SPSS program. Results: The average social support, health promotion behavior, and self-efficacy were not high. Self-efficacy was a partial mediating role in the relationship between social support and health promotion behavior. Social support was positively correlated with self-efficacy (r=.31, p<.001) and with health promotion behavior (r=.43, p<.001), and self-efficacy was positively related with health promotion behavior (r=.39, p<.001). Conclusion: To enhance health promotion behavior in older women who live alone, intervention strategies to increase social support and self-efficacy for these women should be developed.

• Journal of the Korea Safety Management & Science
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• v.19 no.2
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• pp.101-106
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• 2017

Purpose The purpose of this study is to investigate the quality of life and stress level of the elderly living alone in their neighborhood volunteers. Methods Data collection was done from July 1 to October 1, 2015 and the data were collected by self-reported questionnaire at Nowon community in Seoul area in South Korea. The subjects were 146 older adults living alone agreed to participate in the study(accepted by IRB). The questionnaire was constructed with quality of life 26 items, 5-point Likert type scale(1-5), stress 15 items, 5-point Likert type. The data were analyzed by descriptive statistics. Results Socially isolated older adults had significantly higher scores ($3.7{\pm}.03$) in quality of life, moderate scores ($2.9{\pm}.03$) in stress. Conclusion The peer support undertaken by older community volunteers was effective in improving quality of life in socially isolated older adults. It is necessary to listen to the voice of elderly people living alone through the activation of volunteer groups in the community.

• Journal of Korean Academy of Fundamentals of Nursing
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• v.18 no.4
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• pp.538-546
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• 2011

Purpose: This study was done to identity the spiritual state of elderly women who live alone, and factors which affect their spiritual well-being. It was a predictive study using correlations. Methods: Data were collected to identify spiritual well-being of underprivileged older women who live alone and their demographic characteristics, activities of daily living, social support, self-efficacy, and health promotion behavior. Participants were 210 underprivileged women, over 65 years of age and living in permanent-rented apartments in Kyonggi Province. Collected data were analyzed using Pearson correlation coefficients and stepwise multiple regression analysis. Results: Scores for spiritual well-being were higher than the medium, 3.77, out of a possible 6. Health promotion behavior (${\beta}$=.22, t=3.51, p=.001), religion (${\beta}$=.38, t=7.95, p<.001), self-efficacy(${\beta}$=.25, t=4.63, p<.001), social support received (${\beta}$=.23, t=3.96, p<.001), length of time living alone (${\beta}$=.12, t=2.51, p=.013), and age (${\beta}$=.11, t=2.24, p=.026) were significant factors affecting spiritual well-being. Conclusion: The result of the study indicate that to enhance the well-being of underprivileged elderly women, it is necessary to increase health-promotion activity rates and identify mediation strategies to promote social support and self-efficacy.

• Journal of the East Asian Society of Dietary Life
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• v.11 no.1
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• pp.82-88
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• 2001

The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of age, education and residence on food consumption and nutrient Intakes of older women living alone. In-home interviews were conducted using the health habits and food frequency questionnaire for one hundred twenty free living, healthy women who were between the ages of 60 and 87 years. Analysis of variance was used to assess the effect of three independent variables on food consumption and nutrient intakes. Food groups eaten at every meal were examined on 5-point scale, and consumption scores were compared with groups according to age and education. The meat consumption of younger and more highly educated respondents were significantly( p<0.05) higher. The oldest Participants had higher consumption frequencies for cereals and grain food categories. but lower consumption frequencies for vegetables and fruits ( p<0.05) The dietary assessment data showed that the energy and Protein intakes of subjects were 84.8% and 85.1% of RDAs, respectively. Vitamin A and calcium intakes showed a significant (p<0.05) difference among the three age groups More highly educated respondents had higher intakes of calcium and phosphorus than those respondents with less education.

• The Journal of the Korea Contents Association
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• v.21 no.12
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• pp.607-620
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• 2021

In the current study, the effects of living-alone older adults' social participation on their depressive symptoms were assessed. Data of 924 older adults from the Aging Research Panel Survey were analyzed. The results show that the effects of older adults' social participation on depressive symptoms vary depending on the types of social participation and gender. Men attending school or hometown alumni meetings and clan gatherings showed fewer depressive symptoms; women participating in informal social gatherings or organizations for leisure, culture, and sports had fewer depressive symptoms. The results suggest that living-alone older adults' gender and dimensions of social participation should be considered when designing programs and services to reduce their depressive symptoms.

• Journal of Korean Academy of Rural Health Nursing
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• v.16 no.1
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• pp.1-10
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• 2021

Purpose: This study was aimed to compare health promotion behaviors and safety consciousness for elderly women living alone in rural areas and elderly women in group homes, and then provide information for the development of safety awareness programs for elderly. Methods: The participants were 120 elderly women living alone in rural areas aged 65 or older and 120 elderly women living in group homes. The data collection was conducted during November 2020, and the collected data used the SPSS/WIN 25.0 program to verify frequency, percentage, average, standard deviation, and independent t test. Results: There were significant differences of health promotion behaviors between elderly women living alone and elderly women in group homes (t=15.77, p<.001). In addition, there were significant differences of safety consciousness between elderly women living alone and elderly women in group homes (t=21.42, p<.001). Conclusion: Since the safety consciousness and health promotion behaviors of the elderly in group homes are significantly higher than that of the elderly living alone, various programs should be developed to improve the safety consciousness and health promotion behaviors in the elderly living alone. Based on local government' acts, continuous support and attention is needed that elderly women in group homes can maintain a healthy life.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.51 no.4
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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.

• Research in Community and Public Health Nursing
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• v.27 no.3
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• pp.254-261
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• 2016

Purpose: This study was conducted to investigate the correlation between degrees of health promotion behaviors and life satisfaction and effects of health promotion behaviors on life satisfaction in rural elderly women living alone. Methods: A descriptive correlation study was conducted with 189 rural elderly women living alone aged 65 or older in four senior counties in Jeollanam-do. Descriptive statistics, t-test, ANOVA, $Scheff{\acute{e}}$ test, Pearson's correlation, and multiple regression. Results: The subjects' health promotion behaviors and life satisfaction were significantly positive. Among the factors influencing the subjects' life satisfaction, nutrition and diet showed the greatest positive effects, followed by exercise and activity, and drinking and smoking. Among them, drinking and smoking had significantly negative influence. Conclusion: Among the health promotion behaviors that influenced life satisfaction, nutrition and diet, exercise and activity, and drinking and smoking were most significant factors. Therefore, this study provided basic data for improving the life satisfaction among rural elderly women living alone.