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http://dx.doi.org/10.5932/JKPHN.2016.30.2.195

A Comparative Study on Mental Health between Elderly Living Alone and Elderly Couples - Focus on Gender and Demographic Characteristics -  

Park, Bo-Young (Department of Nursing, ChungBug Health & Science University)
Kwon, Ho-Jang (Department of Preventive Medicine, Dankook University College of Medicine)
Ha, Mi-Na (Department of Preventive Medicine, Dankook University College of Medicine)
Burm, Eun-Ae (Department of Nursing, Moonkyung College)
Publication Information
Journal of Korean Public Health Nursing / v.30, no.2, 2016 , pp. 195-205 More about this Journal
Abstract
Purpose: This study is to compare the difference in status between elderly individuals with and without a spouse. Methods: The study is based on the Fifth Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey(KNHAENS), between 2010 and 2012. Subjects were over the age of 65 years who participated in the survey. Chi-square test and logistic regression of complex sampling design of the KNHAENS and used the survey analysis method by SPSS (version 18). Results: Sleep time of female elders living alone was the shortest which was 2.59 times that of male elders living with a spouse. Stress awareness of female elders living with a spouse was the highest, which was 3.21 times that of male elders living with a spouse. Depression was the highest in female elders living alone, which was 2.26 times that of male elders living with a spouse. Suicidal idea was the strongest in female elders living alone, which was 2.87 times that of male elders living alone. Conclusion: Female elders living alone were weakest in regards to socio-economical aspect with the highest rate of poverty, low educational status, and unemployment. The mental health status of females was worse than that of males. In particular, the mental health status of females living alone was the worst.
Keywords
Mental health; Aged; National health and nutrition examination survey;
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Times Cited By KSCI : 4  (Citation Analysis)
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