PURPOSE: Recently, considering the large number of adolescents suffering from chronic illness, it is important to identify the factors affecting the quality of life (QoL) in order to develop intervention programs. METHODS: Data were analyzed using IBM SPSS 21.0. The general characteristics, psychosocial health status, and life satisfaction distributions of the participants were analyzed using frequency, percentage, mean, and standard deviation. Cronbach's alpha coefficients were calculated to test the reliability of the instrument. The differences in psychosocial health status and life satisfaction according to gender were tested with t-test and Chi-square test. Additionally, multiple regression analysis was used to examine the effect of psychosocial health status on life satisfaction. RESULTS: The multiple regression analysis revealed that depression, ego resilience, and self-esteem were associated with the QoL in both male and female participants. Economic status, subjective health, peer attachment, and smart phone addiction were associated with the QoL in male participants, while exercise time during physical education classes, social withdrawal, and school adaptation were associated with the QoL in female participants. CONCLUSION: The findings suggest that a health promotion program should be developed, which reflects gender differences, to improve the QoL of adolescents with chronic illness.
Adolescent ; Chronic Disease ; Depression ; Diagnostic Self Evaluation ; Ego ; Female ; Health Promotion ; Humans ; Male ; Physical Education and Training ; Quality of Life ; Smartphone ; Social Class

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to identify the relationships among nutritional supplement intake, subjective health status, health control level and health promotion behaviors and to investigate factors affecting health promotion behaviors in pregnant women. METHODS: A total of 153 pregnant women was recruited from a university hospital in J city in Korea. Data were collected using self-reported questionnaires. RESULTS: Most participants (91.5%) took nutritional supplements. Health promotion behavior had positive correlations with subjective health status (r=0.313, p < 0.001), internal control (r=0.229, p=0.004), powerful others locus of control (r=0.162, p=0.046), and doctors locus of control (r=0.215, p=0.008). There was a negative correlation between health promotion behavior and chance locus of control (r=−0.273, p=0.001). Health status (β=0.25, p=0.001), chance locus of control (β=−0.28, p < 0.001), doctors locus of control (β=0.20, p=0.009), and powerful others locus of control (β=0.16, p=0.033) were significant predictors for health promotion behavior. These variables explained 25.8% of the variance in health promotion behavior. CONCLUSION: The study results indicate that it is necessary to develop a nutrition education program and nursing intervention in order to promote health for pregnant women.
Diagnostic Self Evaluation ; Education ; Female ; Health Promotion ; Humans ; Internal-External Control ; Korea ; Nursing ; Pregnant Women

BACKGROUND: This study used the data of Korea Youth Risk Behavior Web-based Survey (KYRBS) to confirm the relationship between electronic cigarette use for smoking cessation among Korean adolescents and demographic, health behavior, and school-life factors. METHODS: Data were taken from the 13th KYRBS in 2017. In this study on 62,276 adolescents, characteristics of 1,244 electronic cigarette users were compared with those of non-electronic cigarette users. The 1,244 adolescent electronic cigarette users were evaluated for characteristics related to smoking cessation. Among the related characteristics, demographic factors comprised sex, grade, economic status, weekly allowance, and residence type. Health status-related factors comprised physical activity, lifetime drinking experience, smoking amount, subjective health perception, and stress perception. School characteristics included school type, academic performance, and smoking cessation education. Chi-square test and logistic regression analysis were performed using complex sample analysis. RESULTS: The proportion of current electronic cigarette users was 2.2% (boys, 3.3%; girls, 0.9%). Of the 41.5% of cigarette users willing to quit smoking, 11% used electronic cigarettes for this purpose. Among the electronic cigarette users, characteristics related to smoking cessation were grade, weekly allowance, and residence type, but logistic regression analysis revealed that increases in grade (odds ratio [OR], 2.01; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.21–3.35) and living with family (OR, 4.17; 95% CI, 1.89–9.18) were associated with smoking cessation. CONCLUSIONS: According to the 13th KYRBS in 2017, adolescents were likely to use electronic cigarette for smoking cessation when they are older and live with their families.
Adolescent ; Demography ; Diagnostic Self Evaluation ; Drinking ; Education ; Electronic Cigarettes ; Female ; Health Behavior ; Humans ; Korea ; Logistic Models ; Motor Activity ; Risk-Taking ; Smoke ; Smoking Cessation ; Smoking ; Tobacco Products

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to examine how social activity (SA) moderates the relationship between age norms (AN) and subjective health status (SHS) among older adults in Korea. Based on the theories of age-integrated structure and active aging, the proposed hypotheses were that SHS has a positive association with attitudes towards AN, and with the interactions between different types of AN and SA. METHODS: Cross-sectional data from a Korean national survey of older adults were analyzed. Participants were older adults N = 10,451, of whom 10,280 were used in the study sample. Multivariate linear regression including interaction terms, was used to examine the associations among SHS, AN, and SA. RESULTS: The results of multivariate linear regression examining learning (ß = 0.066, p < 0.001), working (ß = 0.063, p < 0.001), and remarriage (ß = 0.036, p < 0.001) showed that those who perceived AN more positively, were more likely to have a high SHS. With interaction terms, those who had a positive attitude towards AN for learning and volunteering (ß = 0.025, p < 0.05), and remarriage and engaged in friendship groups (ß = 0.032, p < 0.05) were more likely to have a high SHS. CONCLUSION: SA serves as a great moderator between AN and SHS.
Adult ; Aging ; Diagnostic Self Evaluation ; Friends ; Humans ; Korea ; Learning ; Linear Models ; Marriage

The goal of the present study was to test the reliability and validity of the Japanese version of the Quality of Life after Brain Injury (QOLIBRI) scale. Correlations between the QOLIBRI and Glasgow Coma Scale scores, anxiety, depression, general quality of life (QOL), and demographic characteristics were examined to assess scale validity. The structure of the QOLIBRI was investigated with exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses, as well as the Partial Credit Model. Test–retest reliability was assessed over a 2-week interval. Participants were 129 patients with traumatic brain injury (TBI) recruited from rehabilitation centers in Japan. The QOLIBRI showed good-to-excellent internal consistency (Cronbach's α: 0.82–0.96), test–retest reliability, and validity (r = 0.77–0.90). Factor analyses revealed a 6-factor structure. Compared to an international sample (IS), Japanese patients had lower QOLIBRI scores and lower satisfaction in several domains. There were positive correlations between the QOLIBRI scales and the Short Form 36 Health Survey (r = 0.22–0.41). The Japanese version of the QOLIBRI showed good-to-excellent psychometric properties. Differences between JS and IS may reflect sampling bias and cultural norms regarding self-evaluation. The QOLIBRI could be a useful tool for assessing health-related QOL in individuals with TBI.
Anxiety ; Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; Brain Injuries ; Brain ; Depression ; Diagnostic Self Evaluation ; Glasgow Coma Scale ; Health Surveys ; Humans ; Japan ; Psychometrics ; Quality of Life ; Rehabilitation Centers ; Reproducibility of Results ; Selection Bias ; Weights and Measures

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to identify the individual and regional characteristics that influence suicidal ideation among the Korean elderly population. METHODS: Using data collected from the 2013 Korea Community Health Survey, a multilevel analysis was performed to establish an understanding of individual behavioral patterns and regional influences on suicidal ideation. RESULTS: Among the 77,407 individuals sampled, 11,236 (14.5%) elderly people over 60 years of age experienced suicidal ideation. Among individual factors, age, frequency of communication with friends, religious activity, social activity, leisure activity, trust in neighbors, subjective stress level, depressive symptoms, and subjective health status were significantly associated with suicidal ideation. The results showed that the lower the regional deprivation level, the higher the suicidal ideation odds ratio. In terms of regional size, the most significant effects were found in rural areas. CONCLUSIONS: This study suggested that suicidal ideation in the elderly is associated with community factors, such as the regional deprivation index, as well as personal factors.
Age Factors ; Aged ; Depression ; Diagnostic Self Evaluation ; Friends ; Health Surveys ; Humans ; Korea ; Leisure Activities ; Multilevel Analysis ; Odds Ratio ; Socioeconomic Factors ; Suicidal Ideation

OBJECTIVES: Previous studies have shown that marital status is associated with household composition and living arrangements, which partially explain observed differences in health status according to marital status. However, due to the rapid socioeconomic and demographic transformations of the last few decades, the distribution of marital status among middle-aged adults has become more diverse. Therefore, this study aimed to obtain up-to-date information on the associations between marital status and health and to investigate the implications of these findings for conventional explanations of the health effects of marriage. METHODS: The data for this study were obtained from the 2015 Korean Community Health Study. We compared 4 modifiable lifestyle behaviors—smoking, alcohol consumption, physical activity, and self-rated health status—as outcome variables in association with marital status in Korean middle-aged men (age 40-44) living in Seoul and other regions. RESULTS: Married men showed the lowest cigarette smoking prevalence and the highest subjective health status both before and after adjusting for education and income. The odds of engaging in vigorous physical activity did not show a major difference before and after adjustment for income and education. CONCLUSIONS: In married men, the prevalence of cigarette smoking was lowest and subjective health status was highest, similar to previous studies. However, the prevalence of engaging in physical activity was highest in divorced/widowed/separated men. The health behaviors and health status of Korean middle-aged adults should be more closely followed, since they are representative of demographic changes in the Korean population.
Adult ; Alcohol Drinking ; Diagnostic Self Evaluation ; Education ; Family Characteristics ; Health Behavior ; Humans ; Korea ; Life Style ; Male ; Marital Status ; Marriage ; Motor Activity ; Prevalence ; Residence Characteristics ; Seoul ; Smoking

BACKGROUND: The extent of coverage rate of the public health insurance is still insufficient to meet healthcare needs. Private health insurance (PHI) plays a role to supplement coverage level of national health insurance in Korea. It is expected that reduce unmet need healthcare. This study was aimed to identify relationship between PHI type and the unmet healthcare need and its associated factors. METHODS: Data were obtained from the 2014 Korea Health Panel Survey using nationally representative sample was analyzed. Respondents were 8,667 who were adults over 20 years covered by PHI but have not changed their contract. According to the enrollment form, PHI was classified into three types: fixed-benefit, indemnity, and mixed-type. To identify factors associated with unmet needs, multiple logistic regression conducted using the Andersen model factors, which are predisposing factors, enabling factors, and need factors. RESULTS: Our analysis found that subjects who had PHI with mixed-type were less likely to experience unmet health care needs compared than those who did not have it (odds ratio, 0.80; 95% confidence interval, 0.66–0.98). As a result of analyzing what affected their unmet healthcare needs, the significant factors associated with unmet medical need were gender, marital status, residence in a metropolitan area, low household income, economic activity participation, self-employed insured, physically disabled, low subjective health status, and health-risk factors such as current smoking and drinking. CONCLUSION: The results of this study suggest that having PHI may reduce experience of unmet healthcare needs. Findings unmet healthcare needs factors according to various subjects may be useful in consideration of setting policies for improving accessibility to healthcare in Korea.
Adult ; Causality ; Delivery of Health Care ; Diagnostic Self Evaluation ; Disabled Persons ; Drinking ; Family Characteristics ; Humans ; Insurance ; Insurance, Health ; Korea ; Logistic Models ; Marital Status ; National Health Programs ; Public Health ; Smoke ; Smoking ; Surveys and Questionnaires

BACKGROUND: This study analyzes the effects of the individual's health behavior on the health and the medical demand for the management of health and medical expenses. METHODS: This study uses the Korea Health Panel Survey data from 2010 to 2015. We utilize the panel ordered logit model and the panel Tobit model with the subjective health status and the medical expenses as the dependent variables. RESULTS: Chronic diseases would cause the deterioration of his or her health and the increase in medical expenses. Smoking and drinking alcohol would deteriorate one's health. The total amount of cigarettes increases medical expenses. Exercises could make people healthier, whereas excessive exercise might increase medical expenses. Private health insurance would increase medical expenses. CONCLUSION: Since health could reduce the medical expenses, people should promote one's health by changing one's behavior for health.
Chronic Disease ; Diagnostic Self Evaluation ; Drinking ; Exercise ; Health Behavior ; Insurance, Health ; Korea ; Logistic Models ; Smoke ; Smoking ; Tobacco Products

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study is to analyze the effect of impartiality in providing public health services on subjective health happiness and the mediated effects of public health service quality. Based on this, this study intends to present policy implications to improve public health services. METHODS: The research method is multiple linear regression analysis. The analysis of the mediating effects is performed by Baron & Kenny's test, Sobel-Goodman's test, and Bootstrap. RESULTS: The impartiality of public health services and the quality of public health services are shown to have a statistically significant effect on subjective health happiness. Quality of public health service appears to be mediating the relationship between impartiality in providing public health care and subjective health happiness. CONCLUSION: To promote people's subjective health happiness, it is necessary to secure impartiality in providing public health services in the first place and improve the quality of public health services.
Diagnostic Self Evaluation ; Happiness ; Linear Models ; Methods ; Negotiating ; Public Health ; United States Public Health Service