J Korean Med Sci.  2013 Jan;28(1):128-135. 10.3346/jkms.2013.28.1.128.

Prevalence and Correlates of Depressive Symptoms in Korean Adults: Results of a 2009 Korean Community Health Survey

• Oh DH
• Kim SA
• Lee HY
• Seo JY
• Choi BY
• Nam JH

• KMID: 2158012
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.3346/jkms.2013.28.1.128

Abstract

The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence and correlates of depressive symptoms in the largest number of Korean individuals examined to date. We analyzed cross-sectional data collected from 229,595 Korean adults aged 19 yr and above who participated in a Korean Community Health Survey conducted in 2009. The Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CES-D) was used as the measurement tool for depressive symptoms (CES-D score over 16) and definite depression (CES-D score over 25). Multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed to identify associations between sociodemographic factors and depressive symptoms. The percentages of depressive symptoms and definite depression in the total study population were 11% (7.8% for men, 14.0% for women) and 3.7%, (2.4% for men, 5.0% for women), respectively. Female gender, older age, disrupted marital status, low education and income level, multigenerational household composition and metropolitan residence were associated with greater risk of depressive symptoms. The present study provides a valid prevalence and correlates of depressive symptoms, using the largest representative sample of the Korean general population to date. Various sociodemographic factors contribute to the prevalence and effects of depressive symptoms in Korea.

Keyword

Depression; Epidemiology; Prevalence; Socioeconomic Factors

MeSH Terms

Adult
Age Factors
Aged
Asian Continental Ancestry Group
Cross-Sectional Studies
Depression/*epidemiology
Female
Health Surveys
Humans
Logistic Models
Male
Marital Status
Middle Aged
Odds Ratio
Prevalence
Republic of Korea/epidemiology
Risk Factors
Sex Factors
Social Class
Socioeconomic Factors
Young Adult

Figure

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  Fig. 1 Prevalence of depressive symptoms according to age group.

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