J Korean Gerontol Nurs.  2022 Feb;24(1):1-12. 10.17079/jkgn.2022.24.1.1.

Factors Influencing Depression in Older Adults According to Family Structure (Older Adults Living with Adult Children, a Spouse, or Alone): Data from the 2020 National Older Koreans Data

• Yun K
• Lee YJ

• KMID: 2540579
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.17079/jkgn.2022.24.1.1

Abstract

Purpose
This descriptive research study aimed to identify the factors that influence depression according to household type (older adults who live with a spouse, adult children, or alone).
Methods
A total of 9,790 older adults were selected and analyzed using the 2020 National Older Koreans data. A Rao-Scott x² test was conducted to evaluate the differences in the individual, health-behavior, and mental-health factors according to family structure. A complex samples logistic regression was used to analyze the factors that influence depression according to family structure.
Results
Depression according to family structure was in the order of older adults who live alone, with adult children, or a spouse (p<.001). Total income, number of chronic diseases, hospitalization, exercise, and suicide ideation were identified as depressive factors for older adults who live with adult children. Employment, subjective health status, number of chronic diseases, hospital visitation, hospitalization, drinking, suicide ideation, economic status satisfaction, and cultural life satisfaction were depressive factors for older adults who live with a spouse. Employment, subjective health status, hospitalization, drinking, suicide ideation, and cultural life satisfaction were depressive factors (p<.05) for older adults who live alone.
Conclusion
It is necessary to detect depression early and operate a mental health program considering the family structure of older adults.

Keyword

노인; 우울; 정신건강; Aged; Depression; Mental health