Browse > Article
http://dx.doi.org/10.7466/JKHMA.2017.35.1.1

Predictors of Psychological Well-Being in Single Elderly People Living Alone Across Developmental Stages and Implications for Elderly Policy  

Yun, Kang-In (Department of Consumer & Family Sciences SungKyunkwan University.Korea Funeral Culture & Policy Institute)
Sung, Miai (Department of Human Ecology, Korea National Open University)
Publication Information
Journal of Families and Better Life / v.35, no.1, 2017 , pp. 1-16 More about this Journal
Abstract
Using data from the 2015 Korea Welfare Panel Study, we examined the predictors of psychological well-being (life satisfaction and depression) of single elderly people living alone across development stages (young-old, mid-old, and old-old) and suggested implications for elderly policy. For this purpose, we selected 1,364 elderly people who lived alone but preserved their family relationships, and were 65 years of age or older. Separate analyses were conducted for the three groups of single elderly people living alone. Overall, the psychological well-being of single elderly people living alone was higher than moderate level, and they were generally satisfied with their everyday lives and less depressed. However, there were group differences: the young-old group was more satisfied than the old-old group with in their everyday lives and less depressed than the mid-old and old-old groups. In the young-old group, life satisfaction was significantly associated with subjective health, non-physical conflict with family, disposal income, house ownership, dietary deficiency, cost of living, and public pension. In addition, depression was significantly associated with subjective health, non-physical conflict with family, dietary deficiency, and physical conflict with family. In the mid-old group, life satisfaction was significantly associated with subjective health, housing non-physical conflict with family, disposal income, and dietary deficiency. Depression was significantly associated with subjective health, housing deficiency. In the old-old group, life satisfaction was significantly associated with subjective health and non-physical conflict with family. Depression was significantly associated with subjective health. Therefore, 'health'and 'family'are important key concepts to consider when making elderly policy.
Keywords
psychological well-being; single elderly people living alone; young-old; mid-old; old-old;
Citations & Related Records
Times Cited By KSCI : 21  (Citation Analysis)
연도 인용수 순위
1 Han, S.-S., Kang, S.-W., & Jeong, S.-H. (2012). Experiences of depressive symptom and suicidal thinking between the elderly living alone and the elderly couples. The Korean Journal of Health Service Management, 6(3), 29-38.   DOI
2 Hu, S., & Kim, J. (2011). Analysis of multi-level effectiveness on life satisfaction in old age at KLIPS 2006. Journal of the Korean Gerontological Society, 31(2), 407-418.
3 Choi, E. Y., Kim, J. Y., & Kim. H. S. (2003). The correlational study on health-promoting behavior, life satisfaction and family support of elderly people. Journal of Korean Gerontological Nursing, 5(1), 7-16.
4 Jang, S.-H. (2006). A study on the relationship between health status, social support and life satisfaction in elderly. Journal of Korean Gerontological Nursing, 8(1), 36-46.
5 Jang, I. S., & Kim, S. M. (2002). The relationship between social network and death anxiety in elders. Journal of Korean Gerontological Nursing, 4(1), 80-92.
6 Jeong, K. H. (2011). Living to one hundred: Old-age criteria and policy tasks. Health and Welfare Policy Forum, 180, 16-27.
7 Jeong, J. H., & Kim, J. S. (2015). The effect of abuse experience and coping styles on suicidal ideation in the elderly. Journal of Korean Academy of Community Health Nursing, 26(1), 42-51.   DOI
8 Jeong, H.-J., Kim, T.-H., & Lee, D.-S. (2000). Related variables of life satisfaction of elderly women living alone in Chonbuk-do Province. Journal of the Korea Gerontological Society, 20(2), 49-70.
9 Jeong, W., & Jeong, S. (2011). Study on the relations between the economic characteristics and life satisfaction by income levels among single elderly households. Journal of the Korean Gerontological Society, 31(4), 1119-1134.
10 Jung, M. K., & Lee, K. M. (2010). A path analysis of stress, depression, optimism, and resilience in the elderly. Journal of the Korean Gerontological Society, 30(2), 629-642.
11 Kang, E. J. (2005). Factors related to suicide ideation by age group. Health and Welfare policy forum, 107, 81-86.
12 Hwang, S. Y. (1994). A Study on social worker's discharge planning process with the chronically ill. Unpublished doctoral thesis. Seoul National University, Seoul, Korea.
13 Kang, H. Y., Seo, N. S., & Kim, Y. H. (2004). Health pattern of elderly according to age group who living alone in an urban area. Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing, 34(6), 1057-1068.   DOI
14 Kim, B. J., & Choi, Y. (2015). The relationship between activities of daily living(ADL), chronic diseases, and depression among older Korean immigrants. Educational Gerontology 41(6), 417-427.   DOI
15 Kim, C.-G. (2015). Factors influencing life satisfaction among community-dwelling elders by health status. Journal of Korean Gerontological Nursing, 17(2), 108-119.   DOI
16 Kim, C.-H. (2014). Factors affecting the suicidal ideation of the young-old and old-old elderly in Korea. Unpublished doctoral thesis. Yeungnam University, Daegu, Korea.
17 Kim, C.-S. (2007). Social theories and discourses on population aging. Journal of the Korea Gerontological Society, 27(3), 667-690.
18 Kim, H. K., Lee, H. J, & Park, S. M. (2010). Factors influencing quality of life in elderly women living alone. Journal of the Korea Gerontological Society, 30(2), 279-292.
19 Kim, H. M., & Choi, Y, H. (2011). Factors affecting depression in elderly vulnerable people living alone. Journal of Korean Academy of Community Health Nursing, 22(4), 355-364.   DOI
20 Kim, H.-R. (2012). Prevalence of depression and its correlates among young-old and old-old elderly people with poverty in Korean urban community. Journal of the Korea Gerontological Society, 32(3), 924-954.
21 Kim, J. H., & Jung, Y. M. (2002). A study on health status and quality of life in living alone elderly. Journal of Korean Gerontological Nursing, 4(1), 16-26.
22 Kim, K. B., Lee, Y. J., & Sok, S. (2008). A comparative study on health status, depression, and quality of life between the elderly living with family and the elderly living alone. Korean Journal of Adult Nursing, 20(1), 765-777.
23 Kim, K.-T., Choi, S.-S., Park, M.-J., Park, S.-H, Ko, S.-H., & Park, H.-S. (2011). The effect of family structures and psycho-social factors on suicidal ideation of senior citizens. Journal of Welfare for the Aged, 52, 205-228.
24 Kim, M.-H., & Moon, J.-W. (2013). The impact of family and social relationship on depression and suicidal ideation of the elderly. Korean Journal of Care Management, 10, 1-26.
25 Kim, M. Y. (1997). A study on the functional health status of living-alone elderly. Journal of Korea Community Health Nursing Academic Society, 11(2), 94-105.
26 Kim, S. O., Park, M. H., & Kim, Y. J. (2006). A study on the relationship between the stress, depression and self-integrity of the rural elderly women. Journal of Korean Gerontological Nursing, 8(2), 161-169.
27 Kim, Y.-B., & Park, J.-S. (2003). The family network and life satisfaction of elderly in South Korea. Journal of the Korean Gerontological Society, 24(1), 169-185.
28 Kim, Y.-H. (2013). Factors influencing the health-related quality of life by age among vulnerable elderly women. Journal of Korea Academia-Industrial Cooperation Society, 14(3), 1342-1349.   DOI
29 Kim, Y. S., & Kim, J. (2009). The relationship between socio-demographic variables and death anxiety among the elderly. Journal of the Korean Gerontological Society, 29(1), 275-289.
30 Kim, Y.-R., Song, C.-S., & Lee, C.-S. (2013). The community-based care support plan for elderly single household-the case study of elderly community care. Korean Women's Development Institute.
31 Kawai, K. (2002). Social isolation, security and welfare problems among the elderly in urban areas: Focusing on the living conditions of the single-living elderly in Minato Ward, Tokyo. Shakai Seisakugaku, 7, 118-131.
32 Kobayashi, E., Fujiwara, Y., Fukaya, T., Nishi, M., Saito, M., & Shinkai, S. (2011). Social support availability and psychological well-being among the socially isolated elderly: Differences by living arrangement and gender. Japanese journal of public health, 58(6), 446-456.
33 Ko, S. D., Son, A. R., & Choi, Y. S. (2001). A study on the relationship of the geriatric depression to the elderly’s general characteristics. Korean Journal of Famliy Welfare, 6(1), 3-15.
34 Ko, Y.-M. (2013). Factors affecting the health status of elderly living alone in community. Unpublished doctoral thesis. Seoul National University, Seoul, Korea.
35 Kwon, C.-W. (2014). A study on the residential housing welfare law for the aged. Unpublished doctoral thesis. Dong-A University, Pusan, Korea.
36 Lee, E.-G., & Cho, S.-S. (2014). Relations among the social activity, self-efficacy and psychological well-being of the urban elderly. The Journal of the Korea Contents Association, 14(7), 196-216.   DOI
37 Lee, H.-J. (2013). Longitudinal changes in depression in older adults: Differences across age groups and risk factors. Korean Journal of Gerontological Social Welfare, 61, 291-318.
38 Lee, J.-K., & Kim, J.-H. (2013). A study on the needs of the elderly living alone in Seoul. Seoul Studies, 14(3), 191-211.
39 Lee, H. W. (1998). Theory of senior citizen welfare: Theory and practice. Seoul: Yu-pung Press.
40 Lee, I. J. (2011). A study on the differences of health, life satisfaction, and determinants of young-old, mid-old, and old-old. National Research Foundation of Korea.
41 Lee, J.-L. (2012). The effects of acceptance-rejection of parents in law on psychological well-being of husbands and wives: Using APIM. Journal of Korean Home Management Association, 30(4), 1-11.   DOI
42 Lee, G.-S., & Lim, W.-K. (2012). Effects of the leisure activity and social support of the elderly on their psychological well-being. The Journal of the Korea Contents Association, 12(10), 291-306.   DOI
43 Lee, M.-R. (2012). Mediated effect of family support in influence route of health condition and self-integration of old people: Focused on difference by age group. The Journal of the Korea Contents Association, 12(10), 280-290.   DOI
44 Lee, S. L. (2016). The influence of elders' demographic-sociological characteristic, self-esteem, health state on satisfaction with life. Journal of the Korean Academy of Health and Welfare for Elderly, 8(1), 51-68.
45 Lee, S. S., & Cha, Y. E. (2003). A study of the relationship among family support, public support and the depression of the functional disabled elderly. Family and Environment Research, 41(3), 165-180.
46 Lee, S. (2016). A study of effects of family relation on economic satisfaction effects of the later life preparation on life satisfaction. Unpublished doctoral thesis. Daegu Haany University, Daegu, Korea.
47 Ministry of Health and Welfare (2012). Integrated support for living alone elderly. Retrieved from http://www.mohw.go.kr/front_new/al/sal0301vw.jsp?PAR_MENU_ID=04&MENU_ID=0403&page=1&CONT_SEQ=271273&SEARCHKEY=TITLE&SEARCHVALUE=독거노인.
48 Lee, S., Kim, H., Jung, Y.-I., Choi, Y.-H., Lee, K., Yu, S.-D., & Hong, Y.-C. (2014). Environmental exposure and health inequality by socio-economic position among older people. Journal of the Korea Gerontological Society, 34(2), 349-367.
49 Lee, Y.-K., & Jung, M.-H. (2013). The effect of family resilience on depression and suicide ideation of the elderly. Journal of Welfare for the Aged. 61, 111-134.
50 Lyu, I. A. (2008). A study of life satisfaction level concerning the life management assistant dispatch project for the elderly. Korean Journal of 21 Century Society Welfare, 5(1), 159-180.
51 Ministry of Health and Welfare. (2016). The elderly welfare act. Retrieved from http://www.law.go.kr/lsInfoP.do?lsiSeq=178129&efYd=20161230#0000.
52 RLee, H.-G., & Ha, K.-S. (2012). Effect of the daily living factor on the satisfaction of life for the aged. The Journal of the Korea Contents Association, 12(6), 280-292.   DOI
53 Russell, D., & Taylor, J. (2009). Living alone and depressive symptoms: The influence of gender, physical disability, and social support among Hispanic and non-Hispanic older adults. The Journals of Gerontology Series B: Psychological Sciences and Social Sciences, 64(1), 95-104.
54 IM, H. (2015). Longitudinal mediation analysis on the relationship of economic factors, life-satisfaction and depression of one person household. Unpublished doctoral thesis. Konkuk University, Seoul, Korea.
55 Radloff, L. S. (1977). The CES-D Scale: A self-report depression scale for research in the general population. Psychological Measurement, 1, 385-401.   DOI
56 Oh, Y. E., & Lee, J. H. (2011). The effect of adult-children support network on the psychological well-being of the single and couple elderly households in rural areas. The Korean Society of Community Living Science, 22(4), 557-572.   DOI
57 Oh, I.-G. (2012). The effect of hopeless depression on stress in elderly women who live alone. Korean Journal of Family Welfare, 17(4), 237-255.
58 Oh, M.-L. (2015). A study of the ecological variables affecting on the psychological well-being of disabled women. Unpublished master's degree. Chonnam National University, KwangJu, Korea.
59 Oh, S., & Ko, Y. (2015). Activities of daily living, depression, and self-rated health and related factors in Korean elderly: Focused on socioeconomic status and family support. Journal of Korean Academy of Community Health Nursing, 26(2), 140-149.   DOI
60 Park, J. I., Park, T. W., Yang, J. C., & Chung, S. K. (2016). Factors associated with depression among elderly Koreans: The role of chronic illness, subjective health status, and cognitive impairment. Psychogeriatrics, 16(1), 62-69.   DOI
61 Ryff, C. D. (1989). Happiness is everything or is it?: Explorations on the meaning of psychological well-being. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 57(6), 1069-1081.   DOI
62 Park, J. Y., & Kim, K. S. (2012). The impact of family resilience and social support affecting the psychological welfare of single parents. Journal of Korean Family Relations Association, 17(1), 23-46.
63 Park, J. Y., & Lee, C. S. (2013). Mediating effect of hope between stress coping and psychological well-being of women immigrants. Journal of Digital Convergence, 11(1), 405-412.   DOI
64 Park, K.-G., Goo, H.-S., Park, S.-H., & Kang, S.-K. (2003). A study on the relationship among the subjective health status, the degree of interest in health status, the personal health management, and the life satisfaction outcomes of the elderly. Communication Disorders, 26(1), 141-162.
65 Park, N. S., Jang, Y., Lee, B. S., & Chiriboga, D. A. (2015). Relationship between perceived neighborhood environment and depressive symptoms in older Korean Americans: Do chronic disease and functional disability modify it?. Asian American Journal of Psychology, 6(2), 174.   DOI
66 Park, S. O., Paik, H. J., Kim, C. M., Moon, J. H., Choi, S. Y., Kim, J. S., & Kim, A. J. (2003). A study on self-esteem and social support, health-promoting lifestyle of the elderly. Journal of Korean Academy of Community Health Nursing 14(1), 144-156.
67 Schilling, O. K., Wahl, H. W., & Oswald, F. (2013). Change in life satisfaction under chronic physical multi-morbidity in advanced old age: Potential and limits of adaptation. Journal of Happiness Studies, 14(1), 19-36.   DOI
68 Schulz, R., & Heckhausen, J. (1996). A life span model of successful aging. American psychologist, 51, 702-714.   DOI
69 Yim, K. S., & Lee, T. Y. (2004). Socio-demographic factors associated with nutrients intake of elderly in Korea. Korean Journal of Nutrition, 37(3), 210-222.
70 Yim, S. W., Kim, Y. H., & Son, H.-M. (2014). Risk for dysphagia and nutritional status in community-dwelling elders. Journal of Korean Gerontological Nursing, 16(3), 288-298.   DOI
71 Yoo, J., & Sung, H. (2009). The moderating effect of family relationship on depression in the elderly. Journal of the Korean Gerontological Society, 29(2), 717-728.
72 Yoo, Y.-G., Ko, S.-H., Kim, K.-B., & Chung, S.-H. (2004). Effects of perceived social support on self esteem in elderly. The Korean Academic Society of Adult Nursing, 16(1), 102-110.
73 Ministry of Health and Welfare. (2016). Elderly policy. Retrieved from http://www.mohw.go.kr/front_new/policy/sotong/201 6/index. jsp?PAR_MENU_ID=06&MENU_ID=06490301
74 Shim, Y. (2003). An analysis of the economic well-being of elderly households based on housing ownership and housing costs. Korean Journal of Human Ecology, 12(1), 25-38.
75 Seo, I.-K., & Cho, H.-C. (2013). Mediation effects of depression in the relationship between stress and suicidal ideation of the elderly : A comparative study on people who live alone and those who live with family. Journal of Welfare for the Aged, 61, 135-162.
76 Seo, K. J. (2014). A study on the effects of the activity characteristics and person-environment fit on psychological well-being of elderly people under participation in job activities: Moderating effects of work satisfaction. Unpublished master's degree. Hoseo university, Chunan, Korea.
77 Shin, G. H. (2012). A study on family disorganization type of elderly people live alone. Korean Journal of Social Policy, 19(4), 79-104.   DOI
78 Shin, H. H., Choi, S. W., Park, J., & Han, M. A. (2014). Factors affecting suicidal ideation and attempts among the elderly. Journal of the Korea Gerontological Society, 34(4), 751-762.
79 Shin, G., & Kim, E. K. (2014). Factors associated with health-related quality of life in vulnerable elderly women. Journal of Korean Public Health Nursing, 28(3), 419-431.   DOI
80 Shin, S. (2012). Study on the competence, process, and performance of the delivery system of social welfare service for the senior: Focused on the private delivery system and its effectiveness within three cities of Gyeonggi province. Hankuk University of Foreign Studies, Seoul, Korea.
81 Statistics Korea (2016). Population projections for Korea. Vital statistics division(101033)
82 Son, J.-A., Suh, S.-R., & Kim, M. (2015). Factors related to depression of rural elders. Journal of Korean Gerontological Nursing, 17(1), 56-64.   DOI
83 Statistics Korea (2012). Household projections for Korea : Household by household head's age and household type. Vital statistics division(101062)
84 Statistics Korea (2015). The Survey of household financial welfare research. Welfare statistics division(930001)
85 Sung, J. S., & Park, C.-S. (2005). Health promoting behavior and health status in the elderly. Journal of Korean Gerontological Nursing, 7(1), 71-78.
86 Sung, M., Choi, Y., & Lee, J. (2014). Portraits of childless couples in South Korea I: Psychological well-being, couple relationships, and attitudes toward children by types of childlessness. Family and Culture, 26(1), 40-71.   DOI
87 Sherman, A. M. (2003). Social relations and depressive symptoms in older adults with knee osteoarthritis. Social science & medicine, 56(2), 247-257.   DOI
88 Tsai, P. F. (2005). Predictors of distress and depression in elders with arthritic pain. Journal of advanced nursing, 51(2), 158-165.   DOI
89 WONCA Classification Committee (1988). Functional status measurement in primary care. New York: Spinger-Veriag New York Inc.
90 Yang, N.-Y., & Moon, S.-Y. (2012). The effects of suicidal thought on health status social support, and life satisfaction in elderly. Journal of Digital Convergence, 10(11), 515-524.   DOI
91 Yang, O.-N. (2005). An analysis of life satisfaction of the poor according to in-home service: Including the households of the elderly. Social Welare Policy, 22, 5-32.
92 Alexopoulos, G. S., Buckwalter, K., Olin, J., Martinez, R., Wainscott, C., & Krishnan, K. R. R. (2002). Comorbidity of late life depression: An opportunity for research on mechanisms and treatment. Biological psychiatry, 52(6), 543-558.   DOI
93 Yang, Y. J. (2015). Socio-demographic characteristics, nutrient intakes and mental health status of older Korean adults depending on household food security: Based on the 2008-2010 Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. Korean Journal of Community Nutrition, 20(1), 30-40.   DOI
94 Yee, N. H. (2014). Analysis of determinants on depression changes of the elderly population. Unpublished master's thesis. Hanyang University, Seoul, Korea.
95 Ahn, K. S. (2005). Study on the quality of life and social support of married couples and single households elderly. Journal of the Korea Gerontological Society, 25(1), 1-19.
96 Bae, J.-M. (2012). A comparative study on the relationship among post-traumatic stress, psychological well-being, and depression by SEM: Focusing on policemen and fire fighters. Fire Science and Engineering, 26(2), 109-117.   DOI
97 Borg, C., Hallberg, I. R., & Blomqvist, K. (2006). Life satisfaction among older people (65+) with reduced self‐care capacity: the relationship to social, health and financial aspects. Journal of clinical nursing, 15(5), 607-618.   DOI
98 Bradburn, N. M. (1969). The structure of psychological well-being. Chicago: Aldine.
99 Cha, M. (2015). Effects of social exclusion of the elderly psychological well-being. Unpublished doctoral thesis. Seonam University, Namwon, Korea.
100 Cho, K.-W. (2002). Study on the degree of life satisfaction of the female single aged. Korean Journal of Gerontological Social Welfare, 17, 85-125.
101 Diener, E. D. (1994). Assessing subjective well-being: Progress and opportunities. Social Indicators Research, 31, 103-157.   DOI
102 Choi, Y.-M., & Lee, S.-J. (2003). Relationship between the quality of life and the social support network for single home-owned old people. Korean Journal of Gerontological Social Welfare, 22, 193-217.
103 Choi, Y.-J. (2009). A study on factors that affect quality of life of the elderly by age. Unpublished doctoral thesis. Hanyoung Theological University, Seoul, Korea.
104 Chou, K. L., & Chi, I. (2000). Comparison between elderly Chinese living alone and those living with others. Journal of Gerontological Social Work, 33(4), 51-66.   DOI
105 Diener, E. D., Emmons, R. A., Larsen, R. J., & Griffin, S. (1985). The satisfaction with life scale. Journal of personality assessment, 49(1), 71-75.   DOI
106 Enkvist, A., Ekstrom, H., & Elmstahl, S. (2011). What factors affect life satisfaction among the old-est-old? Archives of Gerontology and Geriatrics, 54(1), 140-145.   DOI
107 Ha, K.-P., & Song, S.-H. (2013). A study on the relationship of daily stress and social support to psychological wellbeing in the elderly. The Journal of the Korea Contents Association, 13(7), 278-289.   DOI
108 Han, K., & Yun, S. (2001). Living arrangements and psychological well-being of the rural elderly in Korea. Journal of the Korea Gerontological Society, 21(2), 163-178
109 Han, G.-H., & Son, J.-Y. (2012). Retirement process, economic and relational resources, and psychological well-being of Korean baby boomers. Korean Journal of Family Welfare, 38, 291-330.