Korean J Fam Pract.  2023 Mar;13(1):47-54. 10.21215/kjfp.2023.13.1.47.

Stress-Related Factors in Korean Middle-Aged and Older Adults: The 8th Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (2020)

Affiliations
  • 1Department of Family Medicine, Osan Hankook Hospital, Osan, Korea

Abstract

Background
Stress reactions are related to physical illness and may induce psychosocial and biological changes. Illnesses caused by chronic stress may have negative effects. To minimize such effects, systemized care management for stress is required. This study aimed to comprehend stress-related factors in middle-aged and older adults and mitigate them in clinical practice.
Methods
A total of 1,956 adults aged 40–64 years from the 8th Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey were included. Subjects were divided into two groups based on stress level and their general characteristics, health-related factors, and lifestyle-related factors compared. A multiple logistic regression analysis was performed to evaluate the effect of each factor on perceived stress level.
Results
Weighted multiple logistic regression analysis revealed that depression (odds ratio [OR], 3.556; P<0.001), unmet medical needs (OR, 2.264; P<0.001), dinner frequency (OR, 2.116; P=0.016), breakfast frequency (OR, 1.438; P=0.024), age (OR, 1.427; P=0.003), frequency of alcohol consumption (OR, 1.345; P=0.022), and physical activity (OR, 1.305; P=0.013) were correlated with perceived stress level.
Conclusion
Health screening, unmet medical needs, meal frequency, physical activity, alcohol consumption, and smoking are modifiable factors affecting perceived stress level. Implications derived from study results may be utilized as structured data for systematic stress management by primary care professionals.

Keyword

Psychological Stress; Middle Age; Mental Health; Health Behavior; Primary Healthcare
Full Text Links
  • KJFP
Actions
Cited
CITED
export Copy
Close
Share
  • Twitter
  • Facebook
Similar articles
Copyright © 2024 by Korean Association of Medical Journal Editors. All rights reserved.     E-mail: koreamed@kamje.or.kr