Advertisement
Research Article| Volume 20, ISSUE 4, P193-201, August 2006

The Physical, Mental, and Emotional Health of Older People Who Are Living Alone or With Relatives

      In Korea, as in other countries, the number of older adults is growing substantially, and the proportion of older adults is projected to be 14.3% by 2022 [Ministry of Health and Social Affairs, Republic of Korea. (2003). Yearbook of health and social affairs statistics for 2003, vol. 49. Seoul, Korea: Government Printing Office]. The number of older people who are living alone in rural areas has been sharply increasing as a result of the migration of younger adults to urban areas for employment. However, information on the health status of elders who live alone is limited. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to compare the physical, mental, and emotional health status of elders who are living alone and those living with relatives in rural areas in South Korea. A cross-sectional survey design was used, and data were collected by interviewing subjects. A two-stage cluster sampling process was utilized for those living alone (n = 110) and those living with family members (n = 102). Both groups were enrolled in KyungRo-Dangs (senior centers), which are like community centers in the province. The results indicate that elders who are living with relatives scored significantly higher on several physical and mental health parameters than elders who are living alone. However, elders who are living with relatives had a significantly higher emotional health status in almost every item than elders who are living alone. These findings suggest that interventions to increase health status, especially the emotional health of elders who are living alone, are imperative and that the intervention should be sensitive to changes in the social structure of elders who are living alone in rural areas. Further studies are needed to understand the factors that are associated with the physical, mental, and emotional health of elders who are living alone and those who are living with relatives.
      To read this article in full you will need to make a payment

      Purchase one-time access:

      Academic & Personal: 24 hour online accessCorporate R&D Professionals: 24 hour online access
      One-time access price info
      • For academic or personal research use, select 'Academic and Personal'
      • For corporate R&D use, select 'Corporate R&D Professionals'

      Subscribe:

      Subscribe to Archives of Psychiatric Nursing
      Already a print subscriber? Claim online access
      Already an online subscriber? Sign in
      Institutional Access: Sign in to ScienceDirect

      References

      1. Bae, Y. S. (1992). Study on the relationship between social support felt by seniors and senior health status. Unpublished master's thesis, ChonNam National University, Kwang-Ju, Korea.

        • Bloom M.
        • Bkenkner M.
        Assessing functioning of older persons living in the community.
        The Gerontologist. 1970; 10: 31-37
        • D'Aubigne R.M.
        • Postel M.
        Functional result of hip arthroplasty with acrylic prosthesis.
        Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery. 1954; 36: 451-475
        • Folstein M.F.
        • Folstein S.E.
        • McHugh P.R.
        Mini-Mental State: A practical method for grading the cognitive state of patients for the clinician.
        Journal of Psychiatric Research. 1975; 12: 189-198
        • Han G.H.
        • Yoon S.D.
        Living arrangements and psychological well-being of the rural elderly in Korea.
        Journal of the Korea Gerontological Society. 2001; 24: 57-78
      2. Hwang, H. W. (2002). Study on the self esteem, health condition, and life satisfaction according to living arrangement in the elderly. Unpublished master's thesis, ChonNam National University, Kwang Ju, Korea.

        • Jang I.S.
        A study on self-related health of elderly women in a rural community.
        Journal of Korea Community Health Nursing Academic Society. 2003; 17: 35-46
        • Kahn R.L.
        • Goldfarb A.I.
        • Pollack M.
        • Peck A.
        Brief objective measures for the determination of mental status in the aged.
        American Journal of Psychiatry. 1960; 117: 326-328
        • Katz S.
        • Ford A.B.
        • Moskowitz R.W.
        • Jackson B.A.
        • Jaffe M.W.
        Studies in illness in the aged: The Index of ADL, a standardized measure of biological and psychosocial function.
        Journal of the American Medical Association. 1963; 185: 914-919
        • Kim E.K.
        • Chang H.S.
        Classification of needed service in elderly group by MI-choice.
        Journal of the Korea Gerontological Society. 2003; 23: 31-43
        • Kim J.A.
        • Jung S.K.
        Study on senior health and health-conscious behaviors in one certain area.
        Journal of Koran Gerontology. 1997; 17: 144-171
        • Kim J.S.
        A study on the health status and health promoting behaviors of older adults in a rural area.
        Journal of Korea Community. Health Nursing Academic Society. 2002; 12: 187-201
      3. Kim, K. S. (1993). Study on the aspect of retirement life in urban area and the necessary policy. Unpublished master's thesis, Sookmyung Women's University, Seoul, Korea.

        • Kim K.T.
        • Park B.G.
        Life satisfaction and social support network of the elderly living alone.
        Journal of the Korea Gerontological Society. 2000; 20: 153-168
      4. Kim, M. O. (1987). Study on elders' sense of isolation and age-associated changes in physical functions. Unpublished master's thesis, Ewha Women's University, Seoul, Korea.

        • Kim N.J.
        Health practice of the elderly and related variable.
        Journal of the Korea Gerontological Society. 2000; 20: 169-182
      5. Kim, S. W. (1997). Study on physical decline and impairment on social activities of elders living alone in Goksung. Unpublished master's thesis, Chosun University, KwangJu, Korea.

        • Kim W.K.
        Subjective and objective social support the association between physical disability and depression in older adults.
        Journal of the Korea Gerontological Research. 2001; 10: 55-74
      6. Ko, S. D. (1996). Study on elements deciding quality of life of elders. Unpublished doctoral dissertation, Ewha Women's University, Seoul, Korea.

      7. Ko, S. Y. (1991). Study on elders' social activities and health. Unpublished doctoral dissertation, Hanyang University, Seoul, Korea.

        • Kwang Y.S.
        • Gu M.O.
        • Un Y.
        A study on the health statue and the needs of health-related services of female elderly in an urban–rural combined city Korea.
        Journal of Korea Community Health Nursing Academic Society. 2003; 17: 47-57
        • Lam C.K.
        • Van Weel C.
        • Lauder I.J.
        Can the Dartmouth COOP/WONCA charts be used to assess the functional status of Chinese patients?.
        Family Practice. 1994; 11: 85-94
        • Lawton M.P.
        The dimensions of morale.
        in: Kent D. Kastenbaum R. Research, planning, and action for the elderly. Behavioral Publications, New York, NY1972: 144-165
      8. Lee, Y. J. (1989). Study on the development of health assessment tools for Korean elders. Unpublished doctoral dissertation, Ewha Women's University, Seoul, Korea.

      9. Min, K. H. (1995). Study on comparison the effects of family support on emotional health of elders in urban and rural areas. Unpublished master's thesis, Kyungpook National University, DaeGoo, Korea.

        • Ministry of Health and Social Affairs, Republic of Korea
        Yearbook of health and social affairs statistics for 1996. Vol. 42. Government Printing Office, Seoul, Korea1996
        • Ministry of Health and Social Affairs, Republic of Korea
        Yearbook of health and social affairs statistics for 2003. Vol. 49. Government Printing Office, Seoul, Korea2003
        • Moon S.S.
        • Nam J.J.
        Health status of elderly in Korea—Focus on physical health and disability of elderly women.
        Journal of the Korea Gerontological Society. 2001; 21: 15-29
        • Neugarten B.L.
        • Havighurst R.J.
        • Tobin S.S.
        The measurement of life satisfaction.
        Journal of Gerontology. 1961; 16: 134-143
        • Oberleder M.
        An attitude scale to determine adjustment in institutions for the aged.
        Journal of Chronic Disease. 1961; 15: 915-923
      10. Park, Y. D. (1997). Study on social safety net systems for elders living alone in poverty. Unpublished master's thesis, Dongguk University, Seoul, Korea.

        • Pfeiffer E.
        A short portable mental status questionnaire for the assessment of organic brain deficit in elderly patients.
        Journal of the American Geriatrics Society. 1975; 23: 433-441
      11. Shin, M. H. (1996). Study on elders' sense of isolation and social support. Unpublished master's thesis, Chonbuk National University, JeonJoo, Korea.

        • Sun W.D.
        State and policy issues of home aged welfare service.
        Journal of the Korea Gerontological Society. 2001; 4: 29-33
        • WONCA Classification Committee
        Functional status measures in general practice.
        Australian Family Physician. 1991; 20: 846-851
        • Yoo S.H.
        Analysis on the use of senior welfare facilities: Elements affecting usage frequency and period.
        Journal of Koran Gerontology. 1997; 21: 100-105