• Health Policy and Management
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• v.33 no.3
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• pp.363-369
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• 2023

The term "catastrophic health expenditure" means assessing the extent to which medical costs cause financial hardship for households. The aim of this research is to analyze the percentage of households that faced severe financial strain due to medical expenses from 2006 to 2021. This was achieved by utilizing data obtained from the National Survey of Tax and Benefit (NaSTaB), Korea Health Panel (KHP), and Households Income and Expenditure Survey (HIES). A trend analysis was conducted to examine the percentage of households that experienced catastrophic healthcare expenses. The households that experienced the catastrophic health expenditure was 2.49% in 2021 using the NaSTaB data. The trend analysis yielded a statistically significant result, indicating a decreasing trend (annual percent change [APC], -4.79; p<0.0001) in the proportion of households facing catastrophic health expenditures. Also, the results of the 2019 KHP and the 2021 HIES showed 1.09% and 2.44% for the households that experienced catastrophic health expenditure. The trend was increased according to the KHP (APC, 0.55; p=0.0004) and the HIES (APC, 7.04; p<0.0001). As a result, this study proposes that sustained attention and further interventions are necessary to ease the economic pressure caused by catastrophic health expenses, particularly for low-income households.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.15 no.6
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• pp.2713-2717
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• 2014

Background: Cancer imposes significant economic challenges for individuals, families, and society. Households of cancer patients often experience income loss due to change in job status and/or excessive medical expenses. Thus, we examined whether changes in economic status for such households is affected by catastrophic health expenditures. Materials and Methods: We used the Korea Health Panel Survey (KHPS) Panel $1^{st}-4^{th}$ (2008-2011 subjects) data and extracted records from 211 out of 5,332 households in the database for this study. To identify factors associated with catastrophic health expenditures and, in particular, to examine the relationship between change in economic status and catastrophic health expenditures, we conducted a generalized linear model analysis. Results: Among 211 households with cancer patients, 84 (39.8%) experienced catastrophic health expenditures, while 127 (40.2%) did not show evidence of catastrophic medical costs. If a change in economic status results from a change in job status for head of household (job loss), these households are more likely to incur catastrophic health expenditure than households who have not experienced a change in job status (odds ratios (ORs)=2.17, 2.63, respectively). A comparison between households with a newly-diagnosed patient versus households with patients having lived with cancer for one or two years, showed the longer patients had cancer, the more likely their households incurred catastrophic medical costs (OR=1.78, 1.36, respectively). Conclusions: Change in economic status of households in which the cancer patient was the head of household was associated with a greater likelihood that the household would incur catastrophic health costs. It is imperative that the Korean government connect health and labor policies in order to develop economic programs to assist households with cancer patients.

• Land and Housing Review
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• v.13 no.2
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• pp.65-79
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• 2022

To suggest implications of future housing problems, this study investigates which characteristics affect the housing satisfaction of young single households. Using the survey data, we perform the multiple regression and decision tree models based on the SPSS Statistics 25.0. Our empirical results show several key features. First, housing characteristics and intention to continue single households had a positive (+) effect on housing satisfaction, in the order of natural, housing, physical characteristics, and intention to continue single households. Second, housing characteristics and intention to marry in the future had a positive (+) effect on housing satisfaction in the order of natural, housing, and physical characteristics. Third, housing characteristics and intention to increase household members in the future had a positive (+) effect on housing satisfaction, in the order of natural, housing, and physical characteristics satisfaction. Finally, the results of the decision tree model show that the natural characteristics were over 3.4, and housing satisfaction was the highest in the case of Jeonse. The results of this study provide three implications for policymakers. First, improving the residential environment of young single households is important. Second, providing customized housing for young single households could enhance the housing satisfaction of young people. Finally, housing provision needs to be carried out with suitable space for the lifestyle of young single households.

• Journal of the Korean housing association
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• v.14 no.2
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• pp.31-40
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• 2003

This study was intended to examine the effects of socioeconomic status on housing values, norms, and behaviors of young households. The purpose was accomplished using the Life Style Survey of 2001 in Ulsan, and the data from 370 households were analyzed. The importance of household income and current housing size which are used as a proxy for socioeconomic status in explaining housing values, norms, and behaviors were once again confirmed in this study, even if there were some other significant variables. This implies that housing values, norms, and behaviors tend to change according to the socioeconomic characteristics of the households under the conditions of controlling demographic ones.

• The Korean Journal of Community Living Science
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• v.25 no.4
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• pp.511-531
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• 2014

This study explores supportive and conflictual network structures of elderly single and couple households and analyzes the effects of supportive and conflictual networks on suicidal thoughts by gender and family type. The analysis considered a sample of 522 individuals over the age of 60 who did not live with their adult children. The statistical methods used to analyze data were descriptive statistics, a t-test, a chi-square test and a regression analysis using SPSS WIN 20.0. The results are as follows. First, men and elderly single households had support networks that were smaller than those of women and elderly couple households. The conflictual network of elderly couples households was larger than that of elderly single households. In addition, the larger the network, the more the conflictual was. Second, elderly single households thought about suicide more often than elderly couple households. Third, economic status, the number of adult children, the size of conflictual network and subjective health had considerable influence on suicidal thoughts of elderly single and couple households. The size of the conflictual network had a greater effect on suicidal thoughts of elderly individuals than that of the supportive network. These results have important policy implications for elderly single and couple households.

• Asia-Pacific Journal of Business
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• v.15 no.1
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• pp.239-256
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• 2024

Purpose - The purpose of this study was to examine the main determinants of the gap between housing demand and house affordability. Design/methodology/approach - This study used the micro-level data of 60,043 households from Korea Housing-Finance Corporation by covering the period 2011 to 2022. Findings - First, the trend of general housing demand showed a higher figure in the future demand than in current demand. And such a tendency showed in all types of households, a relative young, low income, and single households. In the case of current housing demand, it has increased by 2022 from the beginning of 2013, while the future demand has rapidly increased from 2020. Second, although the house affordability showed a higher figure in current housing demand by 2019, its trend changed to be higher in future housing demand from 2020 by a rapid decreasing affordbility in current demand. In the case of young householders, the current house affordability was higher than that of future. The figure of low income householders was below 1 point in both periods, and house affordability of single householders showed a similar level in both periods. which showed over 1 point. Third, financial regulation on housing markets induced th widening of the gap between housing demand and house affordability, and such a trend is much atronger in the future(potential) gap of demand and affordability. More specifically, the strengthen financial regulation leaded to the widening of the gap in all types of households, a relative young, low income, and single households. Research implications or Originality - The effect of financial regulation is necessary to consider under the features of each households.

• Asian Journal for Public Opinion Research
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• v.11 no.1
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• pp.54-74
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• 2023

This study examined the subcomponents of the local environment that have an important influence on the life satisfaction of people living in single-person households and analyzed how the causal relationship between these variables differs between generations. Specifically, the local environment was classified into the following subcomponents: convenience, comfort, safety, healthcare, and neighborhood relationships. This study analyzed the data of 3,260 respondents from single-person households in the 2020 Residents' Quality of Life Survey in Gyeonggi Province. As a result, it was found that the perception of all subcomponents of the local environment had a positive effect on the life satisfaction of people in single-person households. The effect of neighborhood relationships was relatively large compared to other subcomponents. Next, the influencing factors on life satisfaction of people in single-person households showed differences between generations, which were defined by this study as youth (under age 35), middle-aged (35-64), and elderly (65 and older). Convenience and safety for the youth group and neighborhood relationship for the middle-aged group were most important. The elderly group was most affected by healthcare. The proportion of single-person households worldwide, including in Korea, is gradually increasing, and considering this, this study provides important policy implications.

• Human Ecology Research
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• v.61 no.3
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• pp.375-387
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• 2023

In research on housing welfare policy, there has been little interest in middle-aged households compared with young or elderly households. The purpose of this study was to explore influences on the housing satisfaction of middle-aged renter households using microdata from the Korea Housing Survey 2021. A statistical analysis of data was performed on a total of 2,709,152 middle-aged (aged between 40 and 64 years) Jeonse (lumpsum housing lease) renters and monthly renters with deposits, living in private rental housing units. The major findings were as follows. Firstly, there were significant differences in housing unit satisfaction and residential environment satisfaction among renter groups by age and rental type. Early-middle-aged Jeonse renters displayed the highest satisfaction with both housing units and the residential environment, while semielderly monthly renters with deposits displayed the lowest satisfaction. Secondly, living in aged structures or in apartment units exerted the strongest influences on housing satisfaction, which implies the need for residential area regeneration programs that consider the situation of rental households. Thirdly, living in Incheon and Gyeonggi-do was found to have a negative influence on housing satisfaction. Fourthly, upward filtering on tenure types or lease renewal of the current house did not necessarily have a positive influence on the housing satisfaction of middle-aged renters. Based on the findings, suggestions were made to improve the housing situation of middle-aged renter households.

• Journal of Family Resource Management and Policy Review
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• v.27 no.3
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• pp.21-37
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• 2023

This study examines the living conditions and life satisfaction of single-person households according to their life cycle. The survey was conducted from August to October 2022, and respondents were single-person households from Kimpo, South Korea. The respondents were categorized to three groups namely, young, middle-aged, and older adults by life cycle, and items regarding their sociodemographic background, personal life, family relations, and life satisfaction were included in the analysis. Descriptive statistics, Chi-square analysis, analysis of variance, and multiple regression analysis were performed. The key findings were as follows. First, significant differences were found according to life cycle in the respondents' diet, clothing, housing, financial and home management, self-care, and leisure life. Second, the variables that significantly affected the level of life satisfaction of single-person households were the life cycle with young adults showing a higher level of satisfaction; having a family member to care; living alone voluntarily, discrimination experience; community awareness; and ties with the local community. Based on the results, it is clear that single-person households have different needs and problems in each stage of life cycle. Thus, to reflect the different experiences and needs of single-person households by life cycle, tailored policy and programs should be provided for young, middle-aged, and older adult single-person households.

• Korean Journal of Human Ecology
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• v.12 no.1
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• pp.25-38
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• 2003

This study was conducted to analyze the economic well-being of the elderly households based on the housing ownership and the housing costs, with the comparison between the coupled elderly and the single elderly. The results of this study were as follows: the household type was related to the housing ownership, showing that the single elderly households owned the housing less than the coupled elderly did. There was a difference in housing costs between the single elderly and the coupled elderly, showing the single elderly households had higher housing costs than the coupled elderly households. The housing ownership was significantly related, but the housing costs negatively related to the economic well-being of the elderly.