• Korean Journal of Applied Biomechanics
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• v.31 no.4
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• pp.259-269
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• 2021

Objective: The purpose of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to investigate age-related bimanual coordination functions in older adults. Method: Thirteen studies that compared bimanual coordination functions in older adults with those in healthy young adults qualified for this meta-analysis. We additionally categorized 21 total comparisons from the 13 qualified studies into two types of task-related moderator variables: (1) kinematic versus kinetic movements and (2) symmetry versus asymmetry movements. Results: Random effects model meta-analysis found that older adults revealed significant bimanual coordination impairments as compared with young adults (Hedges's g = -0.771; p < .0001; I² = 74.437%). We additionally confirmed specific bimanual coordination deficits using two moderator variables: 1) kinematic (Hedges's g = -0.884; p < .0001; I² = 0.000%) and kinetic (Hedges's g = -0.666; p = .023; I² = 86.170%). 2) symmetry (Hedges's g = -0.712; p = .001; I² = 74.291%) and asymmetry (Hedges's g = -0.817; p < .0001; I² = 76.322%). The moderator variable analysis indicated older adults indicated bimanual coordination deficits in the upper extremities than healthy young adults while performing kinematic bimanual coordination tasks and asymmetry coordination tasks. Conclusion: These findings suggest that developing motor rehabilitation programs based on asymmetric bimanual movement task for enhancing interlimb coordination functions of older adults may be crucial for increasing their independence in everyday activities. Given that elderly revealed the deficits in lower extremities coordination when older adults perform gait, posture, and balance, future studies should estimate lower limb coordination functions in elderly people.

• Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing
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• v.28 no.2
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• pp.319-328
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• 1998

The purpose of this study was to explore the process of smoking cessation behavior in adults with a history of smoking cessation. The subject were 17 adults selected by theoretical sampling. The data were collected by in-depth interviews using audiotape recording over a period of six months. The data were analyzed simultaneously by a constant comparative method in which new data were continuously coded in categories and properties according to Strauss and Corbin' methodology. Analysis of the data resulted in the identification of 12 categories. The result of this study are as follows : 1. Smoking cessation in adults is caused by fear about health, environmental pressure of smoking cessation, and intention of smoking cessation. 2. Smoking cessation occurs in connection with situations of limited smoking 3. Maintenence of smoking cessation is related to psychological stress, and environmental cues to smoking. 4. In the smoking cessation process, adults experienced either health promotion or relapse. It is suggested that the result of this study may contributed to the development of a strategy for decreasing smoking behavior among adults.

• Korean Journal of Adult Nursing
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• v.18 no.3
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• pp.468-478
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• 2006

Purpose: The purpose of this study were to find out the degree of memory decline and to confirm its correlated factors in old adults. Method: The subjects consisted of 68 old adults over the age 65 who living in Busan. Data were collected by the interview method, using a structured questionnaire and the testing method on the memory performance. Results: The old adults' memory performances declined in tasks of immediately word recall, delayed word recall, and face recognition and increased slightly in word recognition over 2 years. However, there was only significant difference in delayed word recall task. The significant variables to predict memory decline were age, literacy, depression, locus, and strategy. Conclusion: The memory decline of old adults wasn't more serious problem than the perceived one. There needs to be some intervention programs to prevent memory decline for the elderly.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.16 no.3
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• pp.354-365
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• 2022

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Understanding the mechanism of chewing and swallowing food is important when creating a proper diet for older adults. This study investigated whether texture-modified model foods can reduce the difference in chewing and swallowing parameters between healthy community-living young and older adults. SUBJECTS/METHODS: In total, 35 older and 20 young adults (mean age: 75 and 25 years, respectively), matched for sex and number of teeth, were recruited and their unstimulated salivation and tongue pressure were measured. Simultaneous assessment of chewing and swallowing characteristics was conducted using surface electromyography and a videofluoroscopic swallowing study while the participants ingested 8 g of model food with one to four levels of hardness. RESULTS: The average tongue pressure and salivation among older adults were 61% and 49.7%, respectively, of the corresponding values observed in young adults. The older adult group used significantly (P < 0.05) increased muscle force with more chewing cycles (P < 0.05) than the young adult group, which was maintained even when consuming foods with the lowest hardness, although without chewing. However, the age effect on oral processing time existed only for the hardest foods. Swallowing difficulties among older adults were demonstrated by the significant increase in vallecula aggregation time. The total food intake duration was significantly (P < 0.05) longer in older adults than in young adults, regardless of food hardness. CONCLUSIONS: There were measurable differences in the process of chewing and swallowing food between young and older adults, which can be improved with food hardness control. Adjusting food hardness may help food intake in healthy older adults.

• Korean Journal of Culture and Social Issue
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• v.24 no.2
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• pp.153-192
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• 2018

The main purpose of this research is to investigate the effect of Korean adults' perception of parent-child relation on their self-efficacy, child rearing practices, elderly parent care practices, and happiness. In this study the parent-child relation is a relationship between the adults' parents and the adults. The participants in the study were adults (2,632; male=1,275, female=1,357) with children in primary, secondary, and/or university, with an average age of 45.44-years-old (male=46.96-years-old, female=44.10-years-old). The results showed a direct influence of the adults' perception of parent-child relation on their self-efficacy and their child rearing practices, and an indirect influence on their happiness. This indicates that a more positive adult's perception of parent-child relation leads to higher self-efficacy and greater devotion to their child rearing practices. And furthermore, an elevated self-efficacy enhanced their happiness. Gender differences were found for the influence of adults' perception of parent-child relation on elderly parent care practices. For Korean male adults, a more positive perception of parent-child relation lead to a more active participation in elderly parent care practices. However, for Korean female adults no direct influence was found. Based on these results, a discussion of the influence of adults' perception of parent-child relation on the adults' psychological characteristics and family-members relationships is provided.

• Research in Community and Public Health Nursing
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• v.22 no.4
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• pp.429-437
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• 2011

Purpose: The purposes of this study were to describe the prevalence of low weight and to investigate related factors contributing to low weight in community-dwelling older adults. Methods: From the database of the Fourth Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES-IV), the researchers selected 2,964 older adults aged over 65. The original study was a population-based epidemiological survey of health and nutrition with a stratified multistage clustered probability design. Data were analyzed using ${\chi}^2$-test and multiple logistic regression with the SPSS/WIN 18.0 program. Results: The prevalence of low weight in older adults was 4.7%. The prevalence of low weight was different according to demographic characteristics. That is, the rate was higher in male elders, older ones, and rural residents. In the cases of current smoking, frequent alcohol consumption and no chronic disease, the prevalence of low weight was higher. Age, gender, area of residence, and current smoking were found to be contributing factors to low weight in community-dwelling older adults. Conclusion: The result of this study provides important insights into possible reasons for low weight in community- dwelling older adults and suggests that low weight should be considered in promoting older adults' health.

• Human Ecology Research
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• v.62 no.2
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• pp.279-294
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• 2024

The purpose of this study was to synthesize and interpret the findings of previous qualitative studies that investigated the lived experiences of Korean emerging adults who aged out of the foster care system. Based on our selection criteria, we extracted and analyzed 14 papers that were published between 2010 to 2023. Our meta-synthesis found that the emerging adults' life world consisted of seven domains: family experience, life tasks, education and work, financial issues, home and family, interpersonal relationships, and psychological and emotional issues. We restructured the emerging adults' lived experiences using van Manen's concepts of lived time, lived space, lived things, lived self-other, and lived body. Our meta-synthesis revealed that these emerging adults experienced multidimensional difficulties due to shortcomings of formal and informal social support after aging out of the foster care system. Their difficulties accumulated in their interaction with lived time. Based on the level of their accumulated difficulties, we categorized the emerging adults into stable, struggling, and isolated groups. However, it is important to note that many of them adapted to their own life world and strived to move forward. This qualitative meta-synthesis provides a comprehensive understanding and new interpretation of emerging adults who transition from foster care to independent living in the context of Korea.

• Phonetics and Speech Sciences
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• v.8 no.1
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• pp.63-69
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• 2016

The aims of the present study are two-fold: 1) to explore differences on speech perception between younger and older adults according to noise conditions; and 2) to investigate which cognitive domains are correlated with speech perception. Data were acquired from 15 younger adults and 15 older adults. Sentence recognition test was conducted in four noise conditions(i.e., in-quiet, +5 dB SNR, 0 dB SNR, -5 dB SNR). All participants completed auditory and cognitive assessment. Upon controlling for hearing thresholds, the older group revealed significantly poorer performance compared to the younger adults only under the high noise condition at -5 dB SNR. For older group, performance on Seoul Verbal Learning Test(immediate recall) was significantly correlated with speech perception performance, upon controlling for hearing thresholds. In older adults, working memory and verbal short-term memory are the best predictors of speech-in-noise perception. The current study suggests that consideration of cognitive function for older adults in speech perception assessment is necessary due to its adverse effect on speech perception under background noise.

• Research in Community and Public Health Nursing
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• v.33 no.4
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• pp.418-431
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• 2022

Purpose: The aims of this study were to examine the rate of depression among older adults living alone and to identify factors associated with depression in older adults living alone during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: A secondary data analysis was performed using data from the 2020 Korea Community Health Survey. The study participants were 18,824 older adults aged 65 years and over living alone. The data of the complex sample design was analyzed with consideration for weights, stratification, and clustering. Complex sample multiple logistic regression was conducted to identify factors associated with depression in older adults living alone during the COVID-19 pandemic. Results: The results showed that the rate of depression in older adults living alone was 6.3%. Older adults living alone with decreased physical activity, decreased hours of sleep, and an increased or similar frequency of meeting with friends or neighbors were found to be more likely to have depression. In terms of factors related to the practice of COVID-19 infection prevention and control rules, not disinfecting regularly and not wearing a mask indoors were related to depression. For health-related factors, fair or poor self-rated health status, not having breakfast every day, and feeling stressed were related to depression. Conclusion: It is recommended to develop tailored interventions to prevent depression among older adults living alone by considering the factors related to their depression during the COVID-19 pandemic.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.14 no.5
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• pp.519-531
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• 2020

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Regional disparities in dietary factors might be related to regional disparities in cardiometabolic health. Therefore, this study investigated the associations of cardiometabolic risk factors and dietary factors with regional types in Korean adults. SUBJECTS/METHODS: Based on data from the 2007-2017 Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, the study included 39,781 adults aged ≥ 19 years who completed the dietary survey and a health examination. Healthy and unhealthy dietary factors (fat, sodium, fruit, and vegetable intakes) were evaluated using 1-day 24-h dietary recall method, as well as the use of nutrition labels with a questionnaire. RESULTS: Of the participants, 48.7%, 36.0%, and 15.2% lived in metropolitan, urban, and rural areas, respectively. Adults living in urban and rural had higher odds ratios (ORs) for obesity (OR for urban, 1.07; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.01-1.14; OR for rural, 1.14; 95% CI, 1.05-1.24) than adults living in metropolitan areas; these associations were significantly observed in middle-aged adults. Compared to metropolitan residents, rural residents had lower ORs for hypertension in middle-aged (OR, 0.86; 95% CI, 0.76-0.96) and metabolic syndrome in older adults (OR, 0.78; 95% CI, 0.67-0.91). Regarding urban residents, a lower OR for diabetes in middle-aged adults (OR, 0.85; 95% CI, 0.74-0.97) and a higher OR for hypertension in older adults (OR, 1.19; 95% CI, 1.02-1.39) were observed. Overall rural residents had higher ORs of excessive carbohydrate, low fruit, and high salted-vegetable intakes than metropolitan residents. Low fruit intake was positively associated with obesity, metabolic syndrome, and hypertension, after adjustment for regional type and other confounders in total participants. CONCLUSIONS: These findings indicate that cardiometabolic risk and unhealthy dietary factors differ among regional types and age groups within Korea. Nutritional policy and interventions should consider regional types for prevention and management of cardiometabolic risk factors.