• Journal of Families and Better Life
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• v.23 no.2 s.74
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• pp.23-36
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• 2005

The purpose of this study was to suggest the marital communication methods for improving the quality of marriage and life for the elderly couples. For this study we considered variables affected on the marital communication of elderly couples. I investigated 394 elderly men and women living with only their spouse and analyzed data with SPSS PC WIN. The major findings were as follows: 1) The findings showed that there were high level of communication between the elderly males and females who lived with the spouses without adult children. 2) Variables that influenced the elderly couples' communication were as follows: for the elderly males, intimacy between husband and wife, self-esteem, and gender role attitude; for the elderly females, intimacy between husband and wife, health condition, tendency toward relationships, and intention to keep the elderly couple household.

• Journal of Families and Better Life
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• v.21 no.5
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• pp.13-24
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• 2003

Regarding leisure and work as very important in residential life of old ages, this study analyzed their preference by leisure and work for senior congregate housing, which can provide proper work and leisure activities for older people who are able to manage their social activities with healthy condition. It conducted a survey of middle aged of the 50's who would face problems of senior housing in 2010, with stratified sampling by region, sex and housing structure type. Totally 556 Questionnaires were used for the final analysis. The research results showed that, first, the group which was positive toward their works mostly had spouse of the age of early 50' s and work for professional, technological, managerial positions with good health. Second, the more positive group towards their work showed high willingness to move in senior congregate housing, than a negative group towards their work, and put a weight on the openness of shared space and facilities as well as various alarming equipments, common space, common programs and the ability of managers. Third, according to the attitudes toward leisure activities, there were differences in each group by housing structure type, education of their own or their spouses, monthly income, property, economic ability, health condition, living together with spouse, housing tenureship, and usable area of houses. The fourth was that those who enjoy active leisure activities presented high willingness to move in senior congregate housing than those of negative attitude and also there was a difference in managerial ways. Throughout the results of the study, it appeared that a group of positive attitude toward work and leisure, than that of negative attitude, recognized the importance of senior congregate housing which social and leisure programs could support. It implied necessary to develop housing for the older people who have enough ability to manage their leisure activity as well as their work. The study is likely to have a contribution to suggest practical data for helping the development of housing for self-reliant seniors by analyzing their preference on senior congregate housing by their attitudes toward work. The research for the factors of various designs and managements by leisure and work may become the following research theme of the study.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.15 no.17
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• pp.7407-7411
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• 2014

The incidence of urban female breast cancer has been continuously increasing over the past decade with unknown etiology. One hypothesis for this increase is carcinogen exposure from tobacco. Therefore, the objective of this study was to investigate the risk of urban female breast cancer from tobacco smoke exposure. The matched case control study was conducted among Thai females, aged 17-76 years and living in Bangkok or its surrounding areas. A total of 444 pairs of cases and controls were recruited from the Thai National Cancer Institute. Cases were newly diagnosed and histologically confirmed as breast cancer while controls were selected from healthy women who visited a patient, matched by age ${\pm}5$ years. After obtaining informed consent, tobacco smoke exposure data and information on other potential risk factors were collected by interview. The analysis was performed by conditional logistic regression, and presented with odds ratio (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals(CI). From all subjects, 3.8% of cases and 3.4% of controls were active smokers while 11.0% of cases and 6.1% of controls were passive smokers. The highest to lowest sources of passive tobacco smoke were from spouses (40.8%), the workplace (36.8%) and public areas (26.3%), respectively. After adjusting for other potential risk factors or confounders, females with frequent low-dose passive smoke exposure (${\leq}7$ hours per week) from a spouse or workplace had adjusted odds ratio 3.77 (95%CI=1.11-12.82) and 4.02 (95%CI=1.04-15.50) higher risk of breast cancer compared with non-smokers, respectively. However, this study did not find any association of breast cancer risk in high dose passive tobacco smoke exposure, or a dose response relationship in cumulative passive tobacco smoke exposure per week, or in the active smoker group. In conclusion, passive smoke exposure may be one important risk factor of urban female breast cancer, particularly, from a spouse or workplace. This risk factor highlights the importance of avoiding tobacco smoke exposure as a key measure for breast cancer prevention and control.

• Women's Health Nursing
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• v.2 no.1
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• pp.53-67
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• 1996

A total health state evaluation of Korean female elderlies was made by using the questionary scheme measuring the physical, mental and social functions of the elderlies, in order to investigate the critical factors for the health maintenance of female elderlies and to develop their preventive nursing program. A total of 280 subjects over 65 years old living in Seoul and the suburban area were selected and interviewed during the period of September and October in 1995. The materials collected were analyzed statistically by using SAS data processing program, and the results and recommendations are summarized as follows. 1. The physical health state of Korean elderly women was evaluated to be satisfactory by showing an average score of 3.722 in 5.0 full-score scale. But this score was lower than those evaluated for the elderlies combined both sexes(4.054). The mental health state of the subjects was also evaluated as high scoring 3.484, possibly due to the fact that 78% of the subjects lived together with their children's family. On the other hand, the social health state of the subjects was relatively low scoring 2.585, mainly due to that 80% of them was widows which was resulted by the 6-7 years longer life-expectancy of Korean women. 2. A significant differences in the physical health state scores between different age groups was observed, indicating the rapid ageing process occurring in this age group. The family structure was appeared to be an important factor influencing the physical health state of the female elderlies ; the physical health score of the women with her husband only was higher than that of those living with children's families, and the lowest score was obtained from those living alone. 3. The age was the most important factor determining the mental health state of the subjects, while the religion, educational status, marriage state and family structure did not significantly influenced the mental health state of the aged women. 4. The social health state of the subject was deeply influenced by the marriage state and family structure, showing significantly lower scores with widowers compared to the married couples. Those living with their married spouse only obtained the highest social health score, while those living along showed the lowest score. The parent and grandparentship of those living with their children and the religion, especially Catholic and Protestant, had positive influence on the social health state of the aged women. 5. The mental health state of aged women showed significant correlation with the factors determining the physical health, except for digestive system related ability and sexual ability and the highest extra home ability. 6. The mental health state of aged women showed significant correlation with the factors determining social health, especially with the parent and grandparentship and the family relative's role. From these results, the following recommendations are made. 1. Since the physical, mental and social health states of aged people are deeply influenced by the sex and the average values of the both sex can create misleading figures, the health evaluation of the elderlies should be made separately by sex. 2. Since the health state of aged women is highly influenced by their family structure, the spouse's role and living with married couple only should be emphasized in respect of preventive health care. 3. The social activity programs and grandparentship teaching programs should be prepared in the nursing care program for aged people.

• Journal of Families and Better Life
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• v.7 no.2
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• pp.199-212
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• 1989

The main purpose of this paper is to investigate the factors which affect the alienation of the aged, and to study the relative importance of these factors. This study focused on the following research questions: 1) How do the demographic variables(sex, marital status, family structure, religion, economics, prior occupation, education level) affect the alienation of the aged? 2) How the alienation of the aged is affected by their involvement in social activities? 3) Does the degree of satisfaction with family relationship have a perceivable impact on the alienation of the aged? 4) How does the self-rated senescence affect the alienation of the aged? The research was practiced from the 18th Sept. 1999 to the 30th Sept. 1988, through individual interviews with 300 elderly people, all living in Seoul area. Among them only 285 were used in the analysis. The major findings of the study are as follows; 1) The sex of the respondents makes no difference in the alienation of the age . 2) Marital status is found to be relatively significant in determining the alienation. The degree of alienation of old people with spouse is substantially lower than that of those without spouse. 3) Family structure was found to have no significantly effect on the alienation of the aged. 4) Involvement in religion was found to significantly reduce the alienation of the aged. 5) Econimic factors seems to be critical in defermining the aged. The amount of pocket money avaliable for daily use has direct relationship with alienation. 6) Prior occupation was found to be another significant factor affecting alienation professionals experience far lower alienation than nonprofessionals. 7) The higher is education level, the lower is the alienation of the aged. 8) Active participation in social activities and good relationship with other family members were founded to contribute to lowering the alienation of the aged. Whereas, too much concern over one's senescence appears to hav negative effects on the alienation. The regression analysis shows that the satisfaction with the family relationship has the most important influence upon the alienation of the aged. Following are the factors of self-rated senescence, pocket money in a descending order. All these factors, which explain 42.65% of the total variance of alienation variable are statistically significant(p<.001)

• Journal of the Korean Home Economics Association
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• v.43 no.12 s.214
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• pp.153-163
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• 2005

The purposes of this study were to investigate the differences of appearance behavior and ego integrity of elderly women according to demographic variables, and health, and to examine how the ego integrity of elderly women was influenced by appearance behavior, health, and demographic variables. The subjects were 117 elderly women(aged 60 to 70) in Jinju, Korea who were interviewed face-to face with a survey questionnaire. The results of the study were as follows. There were significant differences in appearance adornment and ego integrity (wise living and attitude toward life) according to age. After controlling for age, there were significant differences in appearance interest, makeup, and ego integrity according to education. There was a significant difference in ego integrity (attitude toward life) according to the presence of a spouse or mate. There were significant differences in appearance interest, makeup, and ego integrity according to health. Health and education had a significant effect on satisfaction with the present living. Health, age(-), and appearance behavior had a significant effect on wise living. Health, age(-), and education had a significant effect on attitude toward life. Education and health had a significant effect on appearance behavior. The present findings indicate that health state and appearance behavior, such as appearance interest and makeup, had a significant effect on the ego integrity of elderly women. On the whole, the ego integrity of elderly women was positively correlated with the level of health state, education, and appearance behavior.

• Perspectives in Nursing Science
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• v.13 no.2
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• pp.70-80
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• 2016

Purpose: This study examined the relationship between acculturation stress and health promotion behaviors in the Korean Chinese elderly immigrants living in Korea, focusing on the buffering effects of social support. Methods: We included 132 completed questionnaires in the analysis. The buffering effect was examined using a hierarchical regression analysis by adding interaction terms. Results: Health promotion scores were significantly higher in the group with a higher education level, lower depressive symptom scores, and higher levels of social support. However, no statistically significant differences were found in the health promotion behaviors by gender, age, spouse, job, financial stability, subjective health status, chronic disease, regular health checkups, or acculturation stress. The hierarchical regression analysis demonstrated that social support had a buffering effect on the relationship between acculturation stress and health promotion behaviors in the Korean Chinese elderly immigrants. Specifically, the relationship between the acculturation stress stemming from the difficulties in the workplace and health promotion behaviors was attenuated by social support. Conclusion: These findings indicate that social support significantly moderates the relationship between acculturation stress and health promotion behaviors in the Korean Chinese elderly immigrants living in Korea. A variety of strategies to enhance social support should be incorporated in the health promotion programs to decrease the negative effects of acculturation stress in the Korean Chinese elderly living in Korea.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Culture
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• v.26 no.1
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• pp.30-38
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• 2011

The elderly is a target group for health functional foods (HFFs). We surveyed 825 Korean elderly (71.4- years-of-age) for HFF use and significant variables for HFF use including demographic characteristics, health related variables, and nutritional beliefs. The prevalence of HFF use was 48.7%, and among all types of HFF, red ginseng products were eaten most frequently, followed by ginseng products, nutritional supplements, and mushroom products. The mean age of users of HFFs was lower than nonusers (p<.01). HFFs were eaten more frequently by subjects from families living with a spouse or unmarried children (p<.01) and those with higher levels of monthly pocket money (p<.001). HFFs were also eaten more frequently by subjects or their spouses with a higher education level (p<.001). The social activity participation ratio (p<.01) of subjects and the HFF usage ratio by the spouse (p<.001) were higher in users of HFF than in nonusers. Dietary assessment scores were not different between the two groups, and users had a more positive view concerning the potential health benefits of HFFs than did nonusers (p<.001). Most users of HFF ate HFFs "when they were healthy" (52.2%) and experienced some effect through HFF use (45.8%). Most users of HFFs received information on HFFs through their families or relatives (38.1%) and most purchased HFFs at the pharmacy or oriental medicine clinic (44.8%). HFF users preferred multivitamin- and Ca-supplements most among the vitamin and mineral supplements belonged to HFFs. The above results show that HFF use is widely spread among subjects, and that use of HFF is influenced by various factors. Thus, practical guidelines for HFF use should be provided for the elderly through elderly focused-nutrition education based upon significant variables and consumption behaviors for their HFF use of present study.

• Journal of the Korean Home Economics Association
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• v.20 no.3
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• pp.45-54
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• 1982

This Study is designed to clarify the life satisfaction of the aged in Seoul. The data were taken from the interview and the questionaire with 40 items collected form 192 elderly. The T-test, F-test were applied and the results are as follows: 1. The greater life satisfaction is manifested by the aged men than the aged women. 2. The death of spouse is detrimental to the life satisfaction score of the aged. 3. There is no significant difference in life satisfaction between those living with and without their married children. 4. There is no significant difference in life satisfaction between any religion categories. 5. The better educated elderly are more likely to be satisfied with their life than less educated. 6. By increasing social contacts, the aged can strengthen their life satisfaction.

• Journal of the Korea Convergence Society
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• v.11 no.12
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• pp.419-427
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• 2020

This study is designed to explore the effects of symptoms severity and stress on depression in patients with overactive bladder syndrome in the middle age. The subjects of the study were 167 middle-aged patients aged 40 to 60 who were diagnosed with overactive bladder syndrome in outpatient clinics and hospitals located in G Metropolitan City. The data analysis was using the SPSS 23.0 program and frequency analysis, Pearson's correction, t-test, and multiple regulation. The study found that the factors that affect depression in patients with the disease in middle age are symptom severity, age, living with a spouse. Therefore, in order to reduce the subject's depression, it is necessary to develop a program that can educate active treatment induction, lifestyle habit correction, and behavior therapy, and perform customized nursing interventions according to age group and spouse presence.