A comparison of the factors influencing life satisfaction between Korean older people living with family and living alone

SHIN S.H. & SOK S.R. (2012) A comparison of the factors influencing life satisfaction between Korean older people living with family and living alone. International Nursing Review 59 , 252–258 Background: As the global population of older people continuously increases, many countries are beginning to experience health problems associated with older age. These countries may be interested in knowing and understanding the health problems experienced by the older Korean population, which is projected to age the most rapidly. Aim: This study aimed to compare and examine the factors that influence the life satisfaction between older people living with their family and those living alone. Methods: A cross‐sectional survey was conducted. The participants comprised a total 300 older Koreans (150 living with their family, 150 living alone) aged 65 years or over who met the eligibility criteria. All measures were self‐administered. Data were analysed using the SAS statistical software program version 6.12 (SAS Institute Inc., Cary, NC). Results: The older people living with their family were better than the older people living alone in perceived health status, self‐esteem, depression and life satisfaction. Perceived health status, self‐esteem, depression, age and monthly allowance were found to be the factors related to the life satisfaction of older people living with their family and those living alone. The factors that were found to have the greatest influence on the life satisfaction of older people living with their family and those living alone were depression and perceived health, respectively. Conclusions: This study may help healthcare providers to understand the factors that can influence the life satisfaction among older people living with their family and living alone in Korea.     

Relationship of health status and social support to the life satisfaction of older adults

We examined the relationship of health factors and social support to life satisfaction in older adults dwelling in a rural town. The gender difference in variables related to life satisfaction was also discussed in this study. One hundred and forty-two older adults (86 females and 56 males) who completed a self-administered questionnaire and participated in a health examination in 1998 or 1999 comprised the study participants. The t-test and chi-square test were used to assess the differences between the two genders. Correlation measure and multiple regression analysis were used to assess the relationship between life satisfaction and other health related or socially related factors for each gender. Significant gender differences were observed in living status and several health related factors. According to the results of the multiple regression analyses, life satisfaction was related to mental health and age in females, while it was related to mental health status and social support from others in males. Gender differences in the variables associated with life satisfaction were observed among the community-dwelling older adults. These data suggest the importance of mental health for older adults. When preparing health promotion strategies for older adults, results of gender differences as they related to social support and life satisfaction should be applied in practice.     

Investigating the Domains of Life Satisfaction in Middle-Aged,Late Middle-Aged,and Older Adults with a Physical Disability

Little research exists that explores which domains of life satisfaction contributed to life satisfaction among Korean older adults with a physical disability. The purpose of this study was to investigate which domains of life satisfaction predicted life satisfaction by the identified different age groups among Korean older adults with a physical disability. This study analyzed the Panel Survey of Employment for the Disabled (PSED) collected in 2015 in Korea. A total of 2331 participants were used and examined their socio-demographic status, the satisfaction of life domains (social, health, finance, leisure, work and marital), and the overall life satisfaction. The results show that marital and employment statuses play an important role in promoting the overall life satisfaction for adults and older adults with a physical disability. In addition, this study suggests that the social and leisure satisfaction of an individual are the major contribution to life satisfaction among older adults (aged 55 and over) who have a physical disability.     

Perceived health, life satisfaction, and cardiovascular risk factors among elderly Korean immigrants and elderly Koreans

Acknowledging that changes in sociocultural environment influence health status, the purpose of this study was to compare perceived health, life satisfaction, and cardiovascular health in elderly Korean immigrants and elderly Koreans. In this cross-sectional study, a convenience sample of 88 elderly Korean immigrants and 295 elderly Koreans 65 and older were recruited from Korean communities in the United States and Korea. Respondents' perceived health was measured by self-assessment; life satisfaction was self-assessed using a dichotomous scale of general satisfaction with life; and cardiovascular health status was surveyed by self-report of major diagnosed cardiovascular risk factors (i.e., hypertension, hyperlipidemia, diabetes mellitus) and body mass index measurement for obesity. Despite having better perceived health and life satisfaction, elderly Korean immigrants also had higher prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors. The findings provide health care providers with useful information for effective health assessment of minority immigrants.     

Factors influencing the adaptation to skilled nursing facilities among older Korean adults

This study was conducted to identify the factors that influence the level of adaptation of older Korean adults to skilled nursing facilities. The subjects were 500 adults aged 65 or older who were living in six different skilled nursing facilities in Seoul and Gyeong‐gi‐do, South Korea. The measures were a demographic form, Health Self‐Rating Scale, Activities of Daily Living Scale, Self‐Efficacy Instrument, Korean Simple Depression Scale, Quality of the Facility Scale and Facility Adaptation Scale. The analyses showed that the prediction model was significant (F = 128.624, P < 0.001). The value of the adjusted R² was 0.435, which corresponds to the explanatory power of 43.5%. The factor that was found to have the greatest influence on the adaptation of older Korean adults to skilled nursing facilities was activities of daily living (β = ?0.564), followed by self‐efficacy (β = 0.321), quality of the facility (β = 0.164), depression (β = 0.133), decision to enter a skilled nursing facility (β = 0.122), perceived health status (β = 0.064) and age (β = ?0.010). This cross‐sectional study provides preliminary evidence that the level of adaptation of older Korean adults to skilled nursing facilities is related to their activities of daily living, self‐efficacy, depression, decision to enter a skilled nursing facility, perceived health status and age, and to the quality of the facility.     

Humor and its relationship to perceived health, life satisfaction, and morale in older adults

The purpose of this investigation was to examine the relationship between the use of humor as a coping strategy and health indicators as measured by perceived health, life satisfaction, and morale in older adults. A packet of questionnaires was administered to a nonrandom sample of 73 noninstitutionalized adults over age 55. Of the independent variables of situational humor, coping humor, residence, gender, age, living arrangements, and socioeconomic status (SES), none are significant predictors of perceived health at the .017 alpha level, whereas the variable of living arrangements is predictive of life satisfaction. Furthermore, coping humor and socioeconomic status are predictive of morale in older adults. This study adds to the knowledge of humor as a coping strategy as well as a developmental concept in older adults. Implications for nursing practice and research are discussed.     

Predictors of life satisfaction: perceptions of older community-dwelling adults

The purpose of this study was to investigate variables that predict life satisfaction in elderly individuals. A convenience sample of 70 older community-dwelling adults participated in the study. Instruments used included the Life Satisfaction Index A Scale, three subscales from the Self-Evaluation of Life Function Scale, the Perceived Control Scale, Hollingshead's Two Factor Index of Social Position, and the Self-Rated Health Subscale of the Philadelphia Geriatric Center Multilevel Assessment Instrument. When the influence of health and social position was held constant, social interaction was the only additional significant predictor of life satisfaction. When health and social position were not held constant, social interaction, perceived control, and social position were significant predictors of life satisfaction. The findings indicate that nursing practice, education, and research should focus on assessment and interventions relative to promoting and maintaining health, perceived control, and social interaction among elderly individuals living in the community.     

Daily life consequences of hearing loss in the elderly

Purpose.?To assess the daily life consequences of hearing loss in older adults and to explore the influences of hearing loss, subjective assessment of health and general life satisfaction, gender, age and marital status.

Method.?Eighty-four participants, each older than 65 years, were consecutively recruited from a hospital waiting list for outpatient hearing aid fitting. All participants were assessed by pure-tone audiometry. Daily life consequences of hearing loss were measured using the Hearing Disability and Handicap Scale, which assesses perceived activity limitation and participation restriction. Another questionnaire was used to measure self-assessed health and life satisfaction.

Results.?Adjusted linear regression analysis showed that activity limitation was significantly associated with increased hearing loss (p == 0.028) and decreased health (p == 0.009), and participation restriction with lower estimated life satisfaction (p ≤ 0.001). Gender, age and marital status were not determinant factors for perceived activity limitation or participation restriction.

Conclusions.?Daily life consequences of hearing loss, health conditions and general life satisfaction are closely related. These findings indicate that health factors and psychosocial aspects should be emphasised as a natural part of audiological rehabilitation.     

The impact of self-compassion on mental health,sleep, quality of life and life satisfaction among older adults

Given South Korea's rapidly aging population, mental health and quality of life (QoL) in older adults are increasingly becoming important. Self-compassion (SC), defined as extending compassion to oneself in times of suffering, has been found to have associations with positive mental health outcomes. This study was performed to examine associations between self-compassion and mental health symptoms, sleep disturbance, life satisfaction, and health-related quality of life (HR-QoL) among older Korean adults. The participants in this cross-sectional study included 203 older Korean adults aged 65 and over. Findings of this study suggest that self-compassion in older adults protects them from developing mental health and sleep disturbance symptoms while enhancing their life satisfaction, self-care, and usual activities. Therefore, interventions fostering self-compassion may benefit older adults’ mental health and quality of life.     

Spirituality in later life: effect on quality of life

The purpose of this study was to explore the effects of spirituality on quality of life (QOL) in older adults when age, gender, social support, and health status are controlled. A secondary analysis of data was conducted using results from a cross-sectional survey of older adults. Data were available from a convenience sample of 426 people living in British Columbia, Canada, who volunteered to complete the questionnaire. Instruments included the WHOQOL-100 and a demographic data sheet. The results show spirituality was not a significant factor contributing to QOL in this sample, and that the strongest predictors of overall QOL were social support and health satisfaction. Given difficulties in measuring spirituality and homogeneity of the sample, further research is warranted.     

Factors influencing exercise participation and quality of life among elderly Korean Americans

The purpose of this study was to identify factors influencing exercise participation and quality of life among elderly Korean Americans. This study used a focus group design. Elderly Korean Americans age 60 and older residing in Seattle, Washington were recruited from a senior house, which serves low-income elderly. Thirteen older adults participated in a focus group discussion. Data analysis used content analysis. Factors influencing exercise participation included health status, advancing age, cultural self-consciousness, and lack of transportation. Factors influencing quality of life included health status, socioeconomic isolation, and spirituality. This study provides useful knowledge for designing future health promotion programs for this cultural minority group.     

Sexuality and quality of life

The purpose of this research was to explore the relationships between sexual activity and intimacy and quality of life (QOL) of older adults. The authors' research question was "To what extent do age, gender, marital status, health status, education, satisfaction with personal relationships, sexual activity, and satisfaction with intimacy explain older adults' ratings of QOL?" A secondary analysis was conducted using results from a cross-sectional survey. Data were available from a convenience sample of 426 individuals living in British Columbia, Canada, who volunteered to complete the questionnaire. Instruments included the WHOQOL-100, WHOQOL-OLD, and a demographic data sheet. It was found that the strongest contributors to the variance of overall QOL were satisfaction with personal relationships, followed by health status andsexual activity. Age, gender, marital status, and education were not significant. The implications for gerontological nurses include the need to support personal relationships for older adults, to encourage health promotion, and to ensure sexuality is discussed with older adults.     

Prevalence and predictors of poor sleep quality in Korean older adults

The purposes of this study were to evaluate the levels of sleep quality and to examine its related factors in the elderly Korean adults. A cross‐sectional research design was used, and 157 adults, aged from 65 to 89, were recruited from five community health centres in Gyeonggi province and Seoul, Korea. All participants were informed about the purpose of the study and were asked to provide demographic characteristics, chronic conditions, self‐rated health, pain, depression, life satisfaction and sleep quality. More than 60% of the participants reported having poor sleep quality. Hierarchical multiple regression analysis showed that age, self‐rated health, pain and depression were related to poor sleep quality. The findings suggest that it is important to screen regularly for sleep quality, and attention to depression, poor self‐rated health and perceived pain were needed to improve sleep quality of older adults.     

Life satisfaction, self-esteem, and perceived health status among elder Korean women: focus on living arrangements.

The purpose of this study was to examine whether living arrangements significantly affect life satisfaction, self-esteem, and perceived health status of elder Korean women. A total of 121 women aged 65 to 89 was interviewed in an urban community senior center in Korea. The convenience sample was obtained by face-to-face interviews using a structured questionnaire. Life satisfaction, self-esteem, and perceived health status were strongly correlated with each other. Living arrangements significantly affected life satisfaction, self-esteem, and perceived health status. Women who live with their married son had the highest life satisfaction and self-esteem and perceived themselves to be healthier in comparison to their counterparts. Therefore, government programs need to be developed to assist children in caring for their parents to improve their overall well-being.     

Health literacy and functional health status in Korean older adults

Aims and objectives. The aim of the study was to investigate the relationships of health literacy to chronic medical conditions and the functional health status among community‐dwelling Korean older adults. Background. In the literature, limited health literacy has been reported to have adverse effect on health outcomes. However, the link between health literacy to health status among Korean older adults needs to be clarified. Design. A cross‐sectional survey. Methods. A cross‐sectional survey of 103 community‐dwelling Korean older adults was conducted from June 2007–September 2007. Health literacy was measured using the Korean Functional Health Literacy test and functional health status was measured using the subscales of the Medical Outcomes Study 12‐item Short‐Form Health Survey. Results. Individuals with a low health literacy had significantly higher rates of arthritis and hypertension. After adjusting for age, education and income, older individuals with low health literacy had higher limitations in activity and lower subjective health. In a model adjusting for age and income only, older individuals with low health literacy were more likely to report lower levels of physical function and subjective health and higher levels of limitations in activity and pain. Conclusions. Among community‐dwelling Korean older adults, limited health literacy is associated independently with higher rates of chronic medical conditions and lower subjective health status. Relevance to clinical practice. Nurses are key to providing health education to older adults. The understanding of the relationship of health literacy to health status is essential to develop communication and health education efforts for older adults in nursing practice.     

Social Networks of Women Caregivers

Abstract Social networks and the support that network members provide are important resources for family caregivers in sustaining their caregiving role. Caregivers' perceptions of support from family and friends have been linked to their health status (R. Kahn & T. Antonucci, 1980; I. Sandler & M. Barrera, 1984). The purpose of this study was to explore the social networks and types of perceived support described by women who are caregivers of cognitively impaired older adults. Content analysis was used to examine interview data from a longitudinal qualitative study of 20 women caregivers of cognitively impaired older persons. An important finding of this study was the identification of a typology of social networks of the women caregivers. The caregivers' perceptions of satisfaction with support received and experience of conflict with network members varied according to the characteristics of their social network. Those caregivers who belonged to diverse social networks reported high satisfaction with the support that they received and little or no conflict. Those caregivers with kin-dominated social networks reported little satisfaction with support received and a high degree of conflict.