A Comparative Study on Health Status, Depression, and Quality of Life between the Elderly Living with Family and the Elderly Living Alone

Kim, Kwuy Bun; Lee, Yun Jung; Sok, Sohyune R

Abstract

PURPOSE: This study was a descriptive survey research to compare and to examine the levels of health status, depression, and quality of life between the elderly living with family and the elderly living alone, the relations among the factors.
METHODS
Subjects were the 441 elderly over 65 years old(243 elderly living with family; 198 elderly living alone) in Seoul and Gyung-gi province. Data were collected from January to March, 2007. Collected data were analyzed through SAS/PC 11.0 version.
RESULTS
First, the health status and quality of life in the elderly living with family were higher than them in the elderly living alone. Also depression in the elderly living with family was lower than that in the elderly living alone. Second, in all elderly there was positive correlation between health status and depression. There were negative correlations between health status and quality of life, and between depression and quality of life. Third, the economic environments in all elderly did effect to the health status, depression, and quality of life.
CONCLUSION
In conclusion, it's requested a special attention of the current job level or interpersonal relationship of older people.