• Korea journal of population studies
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• v.23 no.2
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• pp.167-187
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• 2000

The rates and numbers of elderly suicide in Korea have been increased during 1985-1998. This indicates the seriousness of the problems which the elderly are faced with. So many late-life problems may push older people across the edges. Those in unbearable situations may call out fur helps, they may try to cope with various ways, or they may commit suicides. Because it is widely believed that suicide among the elderly can be understood as a personal solution or alternative to late-life problems in old age, the elderly\`s suicides seem to be an appropriate indicator in estimating seriousness of late-life problems. A comparison of the history of suicide research with other populations shows that the several late-life problems have been found with placing an individual elder at risks for increasing suicidal behaviors Research has identified such problems as financial insecurity, retirement, loss of social roles, physical illness, lack of social supports, and loneliness as the problems that increase the incidence of suicidal behavior. Though it is difficult far us to explain and understand the phenomenon of the elderly\`s suicide because of its complexity, we need to ascertain problems and social conditions behind suicides and also to prepare for some appropriate policy-tasks in light of social welfare for the aged, through examining the phenomenon. For explaining the elderly\`s suicide, the theoretical orientations are based on sociological perspectives in the paper. From the standpoints of social integration theory and exchange theory, this study is to examine the relationship between late-life problems and suicide. These two may have been fruitfully employed in conjunction with each other. Finally, this study would identify urgent late-life problems related with the elderly\`s suicide and suggest the relevant policies for Korean elders. Sometime in the near future, the government should be required to provide social welfare programs for the elderly, particularly for those at risk for increasing suicidal behaviors.

• Korean Journal of Family Social Work
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• no.53
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• pp.7-44
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• 2016

The purpose of this study was to find an appropriate approaches for successful aging adapt to Korean older women 's needs. For this purpose, this study did a comparative study between middle-aged and elderly women. Data from the third Korean longitudinal study of aging were analyzed by network analysis and statistical methods. The results were as follows. From network analysis, it was identified the participation difference of productive activities between middle-aged and elderly women according to level of education, subjective heath condition and residential area size. From the multiple regression analysis, voluntary activity, existence of spouse, residential area, family income and level of education significantly affected satisfaction of life quality in middle-aged women while family caregiving, age, religion, residential area, family income and level of education were significant in elderly women's satisfaction of life quality. Based on these results, it was suggested several implications to increase productive activities according to characteristics of Korean middle-aged and elderly women.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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• v.13 no.7
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• pp.3007-3015
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• 2012

This study gave an insight into senior life plans and life satisfaction of the middle aged employee over 45 and under 60 years of age, listed in the KLIPS data for 2001 (4th year) and 2008 (11th year), so as to grasp levels of senior life plans of the middle aged employee as well as the longitudinal and short term effects of senior life plans on life satisfaction. The study findings showed as follow: First, For the period of years, the middle aged employees' health got worse and jobs got instable. Second, economic and physical senior life plans of the middle aged employee turned out below an average of three points which means preparations made below the normal level, whereas senior life plans in terms of relation and leisure and social activities came out with more than an average of three points, respectively, which means preparations made above the normal level. Third, as a result of looking into longitudinal effects of the 2001 senior life plans on life satisfaction, the level of senior life plans for leisure and social activities got higher, life satisfaction stayed higher in the year of 2001. In 2008, however, the higher level of economic plans for senior life came out with a higher rate of life satisfaction. From a short-term perspective, therefore, leisure and social activities to enjoy life impose a great impact on life satisfaction, whereas from a long-term viewpoint economic plans for senior life is regarded to be of greater importance.

• 한국노년학
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• v.31 no.4
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• pp.1229-1246
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• 2011

The objectives of this study were to analyze change in life satisfaction of Korean elderly, to find determinants of it in an aging society, and to suggest ways of improving their life satisfaction. Data used in this study were from 1994, 2004, 2008 national survey results on the elderly life conditions and welfare need conducted by the Korea Institute for Health Social Affairs and Keimyung University, which were collected from 1,371, 3,278, 3,009 elderly people aged 65 and over who answered regarding their life satisfaction each year. Data were analyzed by multiple regression method. The results of analysis showed that the general life satisfaction of Koreans elderly is higher than average and is decreasing year after year. Determinants of life satisfaction for Korean elderly can be divided in two factors: common factors(i.e. subjective economic and health conditions) and flexible factors(i.e. marital status, employment status, perceptions of aging). Implications for designing services and service systems for elderly families were discussed.

• Korean Journal of Social Welfare
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• v.59 no.3
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• pp.125-146
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• 2007

The purpose of this study is to investigate whether "the feminization of poverty" is under process in Korea and what factors are key determinants of these trends. The Korean Labor and Income Panel Study from 1998 to 2005 is used and the sample includes all individuals who aged 18 or more. The results show that the feminization of poverty is still under process since 1998 and the economic status of females is getting worse compared to their counterparts. Regarding the causes of these trends, the level of education and type of employment are significant predictors for explaining the feminization of poverty in cross-sectional data analysis. In the longitudinal analysis, however, the number of persons in households and the number or working persons have significant influences on the feminization of poverty. It is urgently necessary to enact social policies preventing discriminations against females in the labor markets and to introduce social welfare benefits for females based on citizenship. In addition, the welfare benefits for the elderly are also necessary because their economic status is the worst among all age groups.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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• v.11 no.10
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• pp.3688-3699
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• 2010

The purpose of this study is to understand attributes, stress and burnout related to job environment of healthcare facilities workers for the aged, care-givers, analyze the effect of these factors on job satisfaction, and improve their organizational task to help advance the quality of life and the healthcare facilities for the aged. A survey was made on 129 care-givers working in the healthcare facilities for the aged(care facilities, in-home facilities for the aged) located in Jeonbuk Gunsan area. This study showed that sub-factors of care-givers' job environment such as human environment, compensation system and job expertise have a significant effect on the job burnout, stress and satisfaction. This means that a well-organized compensation system, which is proportionate to the job expertise and ability for human environment, and achievement of innovative thinking, will make a positive relationship, reduce the job burnout and stress, and improve the job satisfaction at the same time. Compared to the rapid increase of old aged patients for long-term care and care-givers' real role and job in the facilities, the job specialization has to be guaranteed to improve job environment of care-givers as various beneficial workers for welfare - professional workers - and the compensation system needs to be properly systematized according to their job capacity. Consequently, the production and participation of professionals with high self-esteem may raise organizational commitment through the maximization of job satisfaction by the participation and devotion to the organization of more professionals by removing factors, which can reduce the frequent job burn-out and stress of care-givers.

• Korean Journal of Social Welfare
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• v.67 no.3
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• pp.107-124
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• 2015

This study started from ideas on lack of discussion regarding age integration emphasized as an alternative paradigm for aged society and exclusion of policy target from discussion on age integration. This study analyzed potentiality of age integration through comparing the perception on impacts of age integration between policy target and professional. Results showed that policy target perceived social and individual effects of age integration more sceptically than professional. Also, policy target reported higher levels of agreement on development of age friendly environment and increase in social contribution by the aged as social impacts of age integration. Otherwise policy target, professional showed higher levels of agreement on enhancement of social solidarity and increase in mutual understanding among generations. In perception on individual impacts of age integration, policy target differed from professional by emphasizing extension of self-determination and self-autonomy. Lastly, group membership of policy target or professional significantly determined levels of agreement on positive impacts of age integration.

• Korean Institute of Interior Design Journal
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• no.13
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• pp.216-223
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• 1997

Considering the current rise in elderly population, institutions and facilities caring for the elderly are currently unable to satify the growing needs of the aged wanting the better qualities of life. Therefore, this study will analyze institutions and policies for the elderly in Japan, which has already experienced the rise in elderly population about 30 years earlier than Korea. Because the living conditions of Japan is somewhat similar to that of Korea, analyzing its solutions, both governmental and private, will help better understand the current situations of Korea and possibly offer guidelines as to better serve the growing demands of the aged. In Japan, the social welfare policies directed at caring for the elderly are mainly directed by the government: however, the private services tend to be more adroit at meeting the ever-changing demands of the elderly. Incidentally, the privately owned elderly homes of Japan are a major part of so called the "Silver Industries". The elderly home that are run by private corporations consititute 50 percent of all private institutions for the elderly. These homes tend tobe situated in a city, or near a city environment, serving 25 to 99 people. The types of such homes can be classified from A to D,E,F, reflecting the various services offered by such homes meeting the various demands by the elderly populatiov. Analyzing the social tred of Japan for theelderly, it can be said that the responsibility of the elderly should not only be relied upon the government, but to the society as whole, both public and private. The ever-changing demands of the elderly, wanting better qualities of life, can be better served by systematic analysis of the demands and the various solutions to such demands. Also, the necessary governmental policies in support of elderly welfare, will be needed.be needed.

• Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing
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• v.10 no.2
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• pp.95-115
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• 1980

Current statistics reveal remarkable prolongation of the average longevity in this country for the past decade. Welfare of the aged is no longer sole concern of the person or/and family. but has aroused social concern on the community and national level. This study was designed to assess social, economic and emotional needs of the aged. and to identify problems they are confronting. Data were gathered through questioning 273 subjects living in Seoul from July 25, to August 31. 19 80. Frequencies and percentile scores were analysed to describe the fact. and the significance of int or-variable differences was tested by Chi-square method. Results are : 1. Majority of the subjects (male : 65.38%). (female : 62.13%)“talk about past experiences”to re-collect their past days, the difference between male and female respondents was not significant. 2. Except few who earn their pocket money (4.21%). majority were doing household errands (34.52% ) and looking after their garnd children (29.26 ％）. Main sources of their pocket money revealed to be their children (84.02%) and their own savings (24.64% ). Except few (15％）engaged with social activities directly or indirectly. leisure hours are spent in chatting with aged neighbors (44.81%). Highest in the rank order on the joyous moments for the aged revealed to be when the members of family living apart paying a visit (male : 37.5%, female : 63.72%)difference of male and female was significant ( P<0.05). Among female respondents. significant difference between age group was revealed (p<0.05). 3. Majority prefered sin91e houses (84.30% ). as residential environment. the suburban (36.26% ) area was the filet in the rank order : difference between age group and the educational status were not significant. Majority of respondents revealed to have their own room in the house. The first preference was given to live with their children (68.86%). Memory of the past (37.36% )revealed to be the highest in the rank order among the reasons why they dislike moving the house. 4. Majority favored current welfare benefts provided for the old age. however. the ideal way to live at their old age they responded was to live on their own savings (50.54%). 5. Majority revealed to be daunted occasionally (62.27%) by not being less active (34.16%) socially and by poor physical health(29.75%). Male and female differ in the causes of loneliness significantly (P <0.001) : retirement (37.89%) in ale and helpessness (43.05%) in female revealed the highest in the rank order. Majority talk over their feelings with aged neighbors to overcome the loneliness. 6 Majority were in favor of planting and looking after pet animal in the house. however. male and female differ in the kind significantly (p <0.001), 7. Majority think about death and dying occasionally or more (84.11% ). Many of the respondents believes in the life after life (53.49%) : female revealed to be significantly higher (p <0.01). and subjects with christian belief were significantly higher than non-christians (P<0.001). Attitude towards death and dying differs significantly between male and female (P <0. 001) and between christians ans and nonchristians (p <0.001). Highest preference was given to simple funeral (69.85%). Precious heritage that they would pass on to their descendants was onoscience and ethical value(57. 51%) : christian response as the first value was christian belief (52.38%).

• Journal of Family Relations
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• v.23 no.3
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• pp.77-104
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• 2018

Objectives: This study aimed to examine the general tendencies of women's divorce intention and to analyze the related variables that affect women's divorce intention. It would help explore the conditions for prevention or intervention of divorce. Methods: For this purpose, the structured survey was conducted by 521 married women aged between 20 and 70 living in Jeollanam-do and Gwangju. The data was analysed by SPSS 21.0 program. Results: First, the average score of divorce intention was 2.04, which was lower than the middle. The average score of self-differentiation, marital communication efficiency, reasonable coping, and social support were a bit higher than the median score. Second, the differences in the divorce intention according to the academic background and household income were statistically significant. Third, marital communication efficiency had the biggest effect on divorce intention and it was followed by avoidance-oriented behavior, reasonable coping, support from the local community, self-differentiation, and household income. Conclusion: It is very important to understand the various factors related to divorce intention especially in individual, marital, social aspects. In addition, it is actually required to develop the couple programs about coping strategies, effective couple communication and problem-solving methods. It also have to imply the requirements considering psychological, social aspects such as self-differentiation and social support.