• 한국노년학
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• v.34 no.2
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• pp.387-407
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• 2014

This study aims to identify the multiple trajectories of depressive symptoms and the characteristics of each trajectory group among the elderly. This study uses five waves of longitudinal data from the Korean Welfare Panel Study (KWPS, 2006-2010). Subjects were older adults aged 60 and over who had completed at least three waves between 2006 and 2010. A total of 4,181 respondents were analyzed. The latent growth mixture model and the multiple logistic regression model were mainly used for data analysis. The major findings were as follows: After controlling for the variables of gender, age, education, marital status, self-assessed health, and poverty, this study identified four different trajectory classes: stable low depressive symptoms (71.8%), high but decreased depressive symptoms (10.6%), moderate but increased depressive symptoms (7.9%), and an increased, then a decreased pattern of depressive symptoms (9.7%). The characteristics of theses trajectories as compared to previous studies were a lower percentage of 'stable low depressive symptoms', no 'persistently high depressive symptoms', and higher level of depressive symptoms. Also, the elderly in the stable low trajectory group had better health status, higher self-esteem and a good relationship with family members, having longer working periods, and more living in non-poverty. In addition, chronic health problems, loss of spouse, and household income differentiated the increased and then decreased pattern from the low stable pattern. Also, age and public pension differentiated the moderated but increased pattern from the low stable pattern. Based on the findings of this study, the researchers suggested political and practical implications for reducing depressive symptoms in later life.

• 한국노년학
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• v.29 no.2
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• pp.377-394
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• 2009

Using the Socio-cultural Stress and Coping model, this study proposed a path model to explore how cultural values affect the physical health of Korean American caregivers through caregiver burden, receipt of informal social support and utilization of formal care services. For physical health outcomes, three physical health indicators were employed: self-reported global physical health, self-reported blood pressure, and salivary cortisol. The path model was analyzed by using a sample of 87 Korean caregivers living in Los Angeles County and Orange County, California, USA. The major findings of this study included the following: 1) Stronger belief in cultural values was associated with more frequent utilization of formal care services, leading to lower levels of systolic boold pressure; 2) Cultural values did not affect the physical health of Korean American caregivers through caregiver burden. The demonstration of positive effects of cultural values on the physical health of Korean America caregivers through social support utilization call attention to the need of further research on the understudied group providing family care to frail older family members.

• 한국노년학
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• v.31 no.4
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• pp.1083-1101
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• 2011

The purpose of this study is to describe how the structural and functional features of social network change among widowed middle and older adults and to examine the effect of personal predictors of the social network change. Data was obtained from men and women between 45 to 98 years of age(N=118) who were bereaved by the death of their spouse since the first wave survey and participated in the second wave survey of the Korean Longitudinal Study of Ageing(KLoSA). The main findings are as follows: First, their social network after the bereavement was strengthened centered around children; for example, the number of adult children living in proximity to the parent, frequency of contact with children, and the financial and non-financial support from children generally increased. Second, the social network change pattern was categorized into four types such as "overall increased type," "children-centered increased type," "children/close relationship-centered increased type," and "stagnation type." Finally, the health condition of the widowed middle and older adults was a strong predictor of the social network change.

• 한국노년학
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• v.29 no.1
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• pp.309-327
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• 2009

This research reviewed on the effect of elderly employment promotion project to their self-esteem and life satisfaction and got positive verification about the effectiveness of the project. The survey was conducted on 389 elderly people in Suncheon City. Some were participants on the project and others were not. SPSS Win 10.0 program was used for data analysis, and t-test, one-way ANOVA, correlation analysis, multiple regression were conducted. The results are as follows. First, elderly people who participated in the employment project had higher self-esteem and life satisfaction compare to those who did not participated in the project. Second, the job for elderly people had the most positive effect on elderly people to increase self-esteem and life satisfaction, and age, education background, income, family, and health were followed by. Third, participation on the employment for elderly was the highest correlation variable in self-esteem and life satisfaction, and health, education background, marriage status, residence type, living expense per month, economic status, and housing had significant correlations. Fourth, variables such as participation on job, education background, economic status, and age explained 32% of self-esteem, and 48% of life satisfaction. In order to increase self-esteem and life satisfaction of elderly people, we need to realize the importance of employment for elderly people, and promote projects that let elderly people to participate in job.

• 한국노년학
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• v.34 no.2
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• pp.247-258
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• 2014

The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of resilience and depression on suicidal ideation in elderly. The survey was conducted by 335 subjects (aged 65 to 70 years old; both gender) living in Daegu and Gyeongbuk district. Data were collected through interview-based questionnaires which were constructed to include the general characteristics(8 items), suicidal ideation(19 items), depression(15 items), and resilience(27 items). Collected data were analyzed by frequency, t-test, one-way ANOVA, and regression analysis. The present results showed that the main general factors affecting the resilience of elderly were age, the type of dwelling, pin money, and health. The influencing factors on suicidal ideation were health status, depression level, and the resilience in elderly. In particular, the suicidal ideation was more affected by self-regulation and affirmation of the subcategory in resilience. In conclusion, the resilience and depression is need to be considered as one of the main factors for decreasing the suicidal ideation in elderly.

• The Journal of the Korea Contents Association
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• v.22 no.8
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• pp.527-541
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• 2022

The purpose of this study is to explore the economic hardship experiences of low-income single-parent families by COVID-19 to find ways to improve after COVID-19. To this end, 10 single parents with children under the secondary school age were recruited through snowball sampling method and in-depth interviews with economic activities, income, expenditure, and economic life. As a result of the study, participants suffered from unemployment and the disappearance of extra income activities in the early stages of COVID-19, additional expenses incurred by children's food and increased utility bills. In addition, it was recognized that COVID-19 has come to be more difficult and unequal to single-parent families of low-income women. It was found that the temporary living difficulties were resolved with disaster support funds, and it was helpful in the short term by spending according to priorities such as overdue monthly rent, food expenses, children's academy expenses, and purchasing home appliances. However, it was recognized that disaster support funds were inappropriate for customized disaster support and long-term and selective support was necessary. In the conclusion, to improve economic problems after COVID-19, it proposed measures to improve social welfare policies and practices

• 한국노년학
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• v.39 no.3
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• pp.589-612
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• 2019

Korea has undergone rapid modernization and globalization process in the last few decades. The purpose of this study is to explore how shifting traditional values are impacting Korean elderlies and their perceptions of aging experience. In order to understand how changing social and cultural practices are affecting older adults, the similarities and differences among Korean elderlies living in three different geographical locations are examined in a multidimensional comparative framework. Life story interviews were conducted with 30 Korean elderlies (10 urban residents in Korea, 10 rural residents in Korea, and 10 residents in the US). Paying attention to within-group variation, this study particularly focused on analyzing the psychological, social, emotional, and spiritual experiences that made lives meaningful and resilient in old age in spite of physical decline. Based on analysis of narrative, the following major areas were identified as having positive or negative influence on aging experiences: physical health, emotional health, family relationship, work, leisure/social activity, and spirituality. Common themes of aging well across all settings included: "life not indebted to their offspring," "physical and mental health," and "dying well." Spirituality played a critical role in cultivating perspectives on life and accepting aging process, which were rooted in specific religious traditions participants identified (e.g., Christianity or Buddhism). Interesting differences in the meaning of work and leisure were also found between elderlies residing in Korea and the US immigrant context. One unique factor continuing to negatively affect Korean elderly in rural community was related to shame of not obtaining higher education. Implications for future research are also addressed.

• 한국노년학
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• v.39 no.4
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• pp.781-800
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• 2019

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the association between residential environment satisfaction and elderly depression with a focus on the mediating effect of physical activity. The survey of Living Conditions and Welfare Needs of Korean Older Persons performed in 2017 was used for analysis. Among total 10,299 who aged 65 years or above and participated in survey, only 10,059 people who answered the survey questions by themselves without missing main questions were included in this analysis. Mediation effects were tested with Baron & Kenny(1986) method and Sobel test(Sobel, 1982). As results, first, residential environment satisfaction was negatively associated with elderly depression. Second, residential environment satisfaction was positively related to physical activity. Lastly, it was found that physical activity mediated the relationship between residential environment satisfaction and elderly depression. The results showed that older adults who satisfied in residential environment were more likely to participate in physical activity, and older people who participated in physical activity were less likely to experience depressive symptoms. Based on these results, the paper suggests the importance of subjective satisfaction of residential environment and participation of physical activity for mental health in later life, and some intervention strategies for Aging In Place.

• 한국노년학
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• v.39 no.4
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• pp.959-976
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• 2019

The purpose of this study was to understand socio-demographic factors related to older adults' participation patterns in lifelong education. For the purpose, this study used the raw data of 2017 Survey of the Living Conditions of the Elderly (SLCE) conducted by The Korea Institute for Health and Social Affairs. From the data of 10,073 older adults, their lifelong education participation, participating program types, participating organizations, and participating frequency were analyzed by their sex, age, educational level, household income, the longest job status, and health status. This study found that female, age of 70-74 and 75-79, educational levels of high school and higher, the longest job status of regular employees and unpaid family workers, and decent health status of older adults more participated in lifelong education. According to lifelong education program types, significant differences were found between education groups of middle school/lower and groups of high school/higher and between 1, 2 quintile income groups and 3, 4, 5 quintile income groups. In relation to the participating organizations, groups of 70 years and older, middle school and higher education level, under 3 quintile income, and poor health tended to participate in lifelong education at the elderly welfare center, senior citizens, and elderly classrooms. In terms of participation frequency, high school and college/higher than 0 year of school education, and regular workers than unpaid family workers were more frequently participated in lifelong education. This study showed the inequality in lifelong education participation according to older adults' demographic characteristics; finally, this study suggested necessary policies and academic discussions for future older adults' lifelong education.

• Journal of Korean Neuropsychiatric Association
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• v.57 no.2
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• pp.190-208
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• 2018

Objectives To initiate and develop a treatment guideline in multidisciplinary approaches for related professions who are either working and/or living with children and adolescents with neurodevelopmental disorders who show behavioral problems. Methods To collect and reflect opinions from multiple professions who assumedly have different interventions or mediations on behavioral problems, a self-report survey and Focus Group Interview (FGI) were conducted for a group of child and adolescent psychiatrists, behavioral therapists, special education teachers, social welfare workers, and caregivers. Results According to a self-report survey and FGI results from multiple professional groups, aggressive behavior is the mostly common behavioral problem necessitating urgent interventions. However, both mainly used intervention strategies and effective treatment methods were different depending on professional backgrounds, such as pharmacological treatment, parent training, and behavior therapy, even though they shared an importance of improving communication skills. In addition, there was a common understanding of necessity to include parent training in a guideline. Lastly the data suggested lack of proper treatment facilities, qualified behavior therapists, and lack of standardized treatment guideline in the field needed to be improved for a quality of current therapeutic services. Conclusion It is supported that several subjects should be included in the guidelines, such as how to deal with aggressive behavior, parent training, and biological aspects of neurodevelopmental disorders. Also, it is expected that publishing the guideline would be helpful to above multiple professions as it is investigated that there are lack of treatment facility and qualified behavioral therapists compared to need at the moment.