• Journal of The Korea Institute of Healthcare Architecture
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.25-32
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• 2018

Purpose: This study was conducted to figure out the cognitive characteristics of the elderly living in apartment complex in order to construct basic data for the design of sustainable and age friendly apartment area. Methods: Cognitive map was used to identify and analyze the elderly residents' status of residential environment cognitions. The elderly living in Gongreung-dong apartment was randomly interviewed outdoor area and requested to draw cognitive maps on their living environment. 26 valid cognitive maps collected were analyzed, classified into two different types: Line type and Dot type. The average age, cognitive distance, length of residence, number of elements in the map(complexity) were then compared by Line and Dot type, as well as by gender. Correlations among variables also were analysed. Results: Males showed a tendency to draw dot types, which means they are place-centered, and females drew line types more than males, which means they are way-centered. The average cognitive distance of male group was greater than that of female group. As the age went up, the number of perceived place and the cognitive distance decreased. Oder people tended to draw line types rather than dot types. As the cognitive distance was longer, the perceived place and the number of lines increased. Implications: The age was more related to the recognition of the residential environment. The younger the residents were, the more they recognized the elements. The points that were represented by dots in the cognitive maps are places for memories for the individuals. Creating more memorable spaces will affect the cognition of residents on living environment. It is better to improve the cognitive environments before cognitive abilities of residents decrease.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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• v.21 no.10
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• pp.499-508
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• 2020

The purpose of this study is to identify the participants' motivation, successful aging level, health behavior and depression level, and to find out the correlation in order to develop a self-management program that helps women successfully age after menopause and lower depression. The study data were analyzed by frequency, percentage, and one-way ANOVA for 252 postmenopausal women. The results of the study showed that the difference in the level of exercise participation motivation and successful aging according to general characteristics showed statistically significant differences according to health level, exercise type, exercise help, residence, etc. The level of health behavior and depression differed significantly according to age, health level, type of exercise, and exercise period, etc. In addition, the level of depression was significantly different according to cohabitation family. The correlation analysis result showed that the correlation coefficient between exercise participation motivation, successful aging, and health behavior was significant at the level of .001, and between depression and health behavior at the level of correlation coefficient of .05. We conclude that it is very important to develop a self-managed exercise program for postmenopausal women, as it will help successful aging and reduce depression.

• 한국노년학
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• v.29 no.3
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• pp.953-970
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• 2009

The successful aging paradigm suggests that the elderly keep their social ties and actively participate in various activities in later life. Many Korean studies on aging, however, have overlooked the importance of various social activities and relationships beyond kinship. This article aims to investigate the perceived social activities among Korean elders to comprehend the subjectivity of successful aging. 613 respondents, over 50 years old, are selected from a national survey data which was collected by face-to-face interview based on the structured questionnaire. The respondents are classified into pre old (50-64), young old (65-74), old old (over 75). Major findings are as follows. The social activities are grouped into two sub-categories: 'relational activity' and 'productive activity'. The activity types are different by the age cohorts. Various activities are considered in terms of one's needs or motivations, and properly chosen based on the subjective evaluation during life course. Both demographic variables such as sex, area and social context variables such as marital status, living-together show influence on the activity type choices. Plans for later life and work ethics are important as well. Policies regarding social participation emphasizing productivity should positively consider relational motives, as perceived by the Korean elderly.