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Social Psychiatry and Psychiatric Epidemiology

Published in:

01-01-2015 | Original Paper

Association between living arrangements and depressive symptoms among older women and men in South Korea

Authors: Dong Hoon Oh, Joon Hyuk Park, Hye Young Lee, Shin Ah Kim, Bo Youl Choi, Jung Hyun Nam

Published in: Social Psychiatry and Psychiatric Epidemiology | Issue 1/2015

Abstract

Purpose

We investigated the relationship between different types of living arrangements and depressive symptoms among older Korean women and men.

Methods

Data were obtained from a nationally representative cross-sectional health survey conducted in 2009 in South Korea. A total of 60,305 participants (34,172 women and 26,133 men) aged 60 years and older were included in the analysis. The living arrangements were categorised into six types as follows: (1) living with a spouse only; (2) living with a spouse in an extended family; (3) living with a spouse in a nuclear family; (4) living alone; (5) living without a spouse in an extended family; and (6) living without a spouse in a nuclear family. The Korean version of the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale was used as the measurement tool for depressive symptoms. We used multiple regression analysis to estimate the effects of living arrangement on depressive symptoms.

Results

A total of 16.8 % of the total study population showed depressive symptoms. Living with a spouse only was the most common type of living arrangement (46.3 %). Women and men living with a spouse only were the least likely to have depressive symptoms. However, living without a spouse in a nuclear family and living alone were most strongly associated with depressive symptoms in women (OR 1.81; 95 % CI 1.64–2.00) and men (OR 2.71; 95 % CI 2.43–3.03), respectively.

Conclusions

The prevalence of depressive symptoms are associated with the living arrangements of elderly Koreans. There are gender differences in these associations, that may stem from the different demands of social roles and relationships in the family.

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Title: Association between living arrangements and depressive symptoms among older women and men in South Korea
Authors: Dong Hoon Oh
Joon Hyuk Park
Hye Young Lee
Shin Ah Kim
Bo Youl Choi
Jung Hyun Nam
Publication date: 01-01-2015
Publisher: Springer Berlin Heidelberg
Published in: Social Psychiatry and Psychiatric Epidemiology / Issue 1/2015
Print ISSN: 0933-7954
Electronic ISSN: 1433-9285
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00127-014-0904-2

At a glance: The ONWARDS insulin icodec trials

Springer Medicine

Association between living arrangements and depressive symptoms among older women and men in South Korea

Abstract

Purpose

Methods

Results

Conclusions

At a glance: The ONWARDS insulin icodec trials

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Purpose

Methods

Results

Conclusions

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