Human ; Observation ; Widowhood

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to investigate the relationship between marital status and the incidence of metabolic syndrome in Korean middle-aged women. METHODS: Based on data from the sixth Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (2013–2014), 3,225 women aged 40–69 years were subjected to the analysis. Marital status was categorized as married, unmarried, separated, widowed, or divorced. The odds ratios (ORs) for metabolic syndrome were calculated based on marital status. After adjustment for age, income level, education level, alcohol intake, smoking status, leisure physical activity, menopause status, daily calories, and fat intake, changes in the OR for metabolic syndrome based on marital status were examined by multivariate logistic regression analysis. RESULTS: The OR for metabolic syndrome in the widowed group to the married group was 4.818 (95% confidence interval [CI], 3.861–6.002; P < 0.001) and that after adjustment of age, economic level, education level, alcohol intake, smoking status, physical activity, menopause status, total daily calories, and fat intake was 2.141 (CI, 1.432–3.199; P < 0.001), both of which were statistically significant. The OR for metabolic syndrome in the unmarried group to the married group was 0.246 (CI, 0.141–0.431; P < 0.001) after adjustment of all components. On the contrary, the ORs of the separated group and the divorced group to the married group were not significant. CONCLUSION: In comparison with the married middle-aged group, the widowed middle-aged group tended to have a higher risk of metabolic syndrome, which is speculated to be related to socioeconomic factors and health behavior.
Divorce ; Education ; Female ; Health Behavior ; Humans ; Incidence ; Korea* ; Leisure Activities ; Logistic Models ; Marital Status* ; Menopause ; Middle Aged ; Motor Activity ; Nutrition Surveys* ; Odds Ratio ; Single Person ; Smoke ; Smoking ; Socioeconomic Factors ; Widowhood

We identified traditional risk factors and investigated poorly understood risk factors for suicide attempts according to gender in a large Korean population. We analyzed the data from 6,768 males and 12,475 females with suicidal ideation obtained from the nationwide 2013 Korean Community Health Survey. The dependent variable was suicide attempts within the past year. There was a significant trend towards an increase in suicide attempts with decreasing age in both genders. Compared with those who were married, suicide attempts were significantly higher among those who were widowed, divorced, or separated for males (odds ratio [OR], 2.07; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.34–3.20), but lower for females (OR, 0.66; 95% CI, 0.45–0.98). Current smoking and depression were significant risk factor for suicide attempts in males and females. However, monthly household income, myocardial infarction, and osteoporosis were significantly associated with suicide attempts only in males, whereas education level, recipient of National Basic Livelihood Security, family contact, leisure activity, and drinking frequency were significantly associated only in females. These findings indicate that gender difference should be considered in the assessment, prevention, and management of future suicide attempts by community policy-makers and clinicians.
Depression ; Divorce ; Drinking ; Education ; Family Characteristics ; Female ; Health Surveys* ; Humans ; Leisure Activities ; Male ; Myocardial Infarction ; Osteoporosis ; Risk Factors ; Smoke ; Smoking ; Suicidal Ideation* ; Suicide* ; Widowhood

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to estimate the prevalence and correlates of mental disorders in Korean adults. METHODS: Door to door household surveys were conducted with community residents aged 18-74 years from July 19, 2011, to November 16, 2011 (n=6,022, response rate 78.7%). The sample was drawn from 12 catchment areas using a multistage cluster method. Each subject was assessed using the Korean version of the World Health Organization Composite International Diagnostic Interview (CIDI) based on the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition (DSM-IV). RESULTS: Lifetime and 12-month prevalence estimates were as follows: alcohol use disorders, 13.4% and 4.4%, respectively; nicotine use disorders, 7.2% and 4.0%, respectively; anxiety disorders, 8.7% and 6.8%, respectively; and mood disorders, 7.5% and 3.6%, respectively. The prevalence rates of all types of DSM-IV mental disorders were 27.6% and 16.0%, respectively. Being female; young; divorced, separated, or widowed; and in a low-income group were associated with mood and anxiety disorders after adjustment for various demographic variables, whereas being male and young were associated with alcohol use disorders. Higher income was not correlated with alcohol use disorder as it had been in the 2001 survey. CONCLUSION: The rate of depressive disorders has increased since 2001 (the first national survey), whereas that of anxiety disorders has been relatively stable. The prevalence of nicotine and alcohol use disorders has decreased, and the male-to-female ratio of those with this diagnosis has also decreased.
Adult* ; Anxiety Disorders ; Depressive Disorder ; Diagnosis ; Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders* ; Divorce ; Family Characteristics ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Mental Disorders* ; Mood Disorders ; Nicotine ; Prevalence* ; Tobacco Use Disorder ; Widowhood ; World Health Organization

OBJECTIVE: The present study aimed to investigate predictors for planned suicide attempters. METHODS: This study included 1,003 patients who attempted suicide and visited emergency department. They were divided into two groups, planned suicide attempters (SAs; n=133 [13.3%]) and impulsive SAs (n=870, [86.7%]), and the demographic variables, clinical characteristics, factors related to suicide, and psychiatric resources of the groups were compared. RESULTS: Major depressive disorder and substance use disorders were more common among planned SAs than among impulsive SAs. Additionally, the planned SAs were older, more likely to be divorced, separated or widowed, and more likely to have comorbid medical illnesses, severe depression, higher suicidality, and self-blaming tendencies than the impulsive SAs. Financial problems and physical illnesses were more common in planned SAs but interpersonal conflicts were more frequent in impulsive SAs. Planned SAs had fewer previous suicide attempts but these were more serious suicide attempts. The presence of the hope to die, a written will, and suicidal ideation of a repetitive, intense, and continuous nature were predictive of planned SAs. CONCLUSION: The present findings demonstrated that planned SAs had more severe psychopathology and medical illnesses than impulsive SAs. Therefore, screening for depression, substance use disorders, and suicidal plans among old and medically ill patients may be important for preventing suicide attempts.
Depression ; Depressive Disorder, Major ; Divorce ; Emergency Service, Hospital ; Hope ; Humans ; Impulsive Behavior ; Mass Screening ; Psychopathology ; Risk Factors* ; Substance-Related Disorders ; Suicidal Ideation ; Suicide* ; Suicide, Attempted ; Widowhood

PURPOSE: This study was conducted to identify the current status of studies of bereaved families in Korea. METHODS: We reviewed 97 studies of bereaved families, which were published between 1994 and 2013 in Korea. The studies were classified in three groups according to time, subjects, and topic. RESULTS: First, the number of bereaved family-related studies has increased since 2010. Second, most studies focused on the whole family, and middle-age widows were also popular subjects. Third, the most popular topic was a relationship between certain variables. CONCLUSION: First, variables and their relations among themselves should be approached through an integrated study. Second, a systematic review is needed to assess the effects of interventions on the bereaved. Third, a qualitative research method is needed to broaden and deepen our understanding about the middle-age widowers, parents who lost their children and children who lost their parents.
Bereavement ; Child ; Humans ; Korea ; Parents ; Qualitative Research ; Review Literature as Topic ; Widowhood

OBJECTIVES: This study investigates the prevalence of suicide ideation and its the related factors by gender among Korean adults. METHODS: National cross-sectional data from the database of the first and second year of 5th Korean National Health and Nutritional Examination Survey (KNHANES V-1, V-2) were used for this study. 13,165 adults (> or =20 years) were included in this analysis. RESULTS: The prevalence of suicide ideation was 9.8% for men, 18.9% for women. Renal failure, depression, melancholy, stress, perceived health status, and smoking were significant risk factors among both men and women for suicide ideation. Divorced, separated or widowed of marital status and severe physical activity were related factors of suicide ideation for men. Low educational attainment, and alcohol dependency were associated factors of suicide ideation for women. CONCLUSIONS: There was gender difference of prevalence and risk factors of suicide ideation. These gender differences should be considered for planning and implementing suicide prevention program.
Adult* ; Depression ; Divorce ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Marital Status ; Motor Activity ; Prevalence ; Renal Insufficiency ; Risk Factors ; Smoke ; Smoking ; Suicide* ; Widowhood

PURPOSE: Self-care refer to the activities and practices performed and initiated by an individual on one's behalf in maintaining life, health and well-being. Maintenance of self-care requires use of special skills and scientific knowledge into which nursing plays a vital role in designing and implementation of the plan of care. Literatures have shown that nurses' support to existing older persons' capabilities promote active participation and responsibility for his or her own self-care. Promotion of self -care reduces problems resulting from reactions of older persons in unnecessary dependent roles. Community nurses of Makasar City, South Sulawesi, Indonesia in their task of providing health service of older persons have limited data on characteristics of older persons seeking care, and the common symptom experiences of older persons. Knowledge of the interplay of these factors are important to provide better health services. The objective of the research is to determine the relationship between predisposing factors known as basic conditioning factors (age, gender, marital status, educational level, occupation, living arrangement and common symptoms experience) and the experiences (knowledge, attitude, practice) on self-care of older persons.
METHOD: A descriptive correlational research design was used. The sample consisted of 98 Makassarese older persons who live in Paropo Village, Makassar, South Sulawesi, Indonesia. Survey questionnaire was used for the profile of the respondents and the knowledge, attitude and practice (KAP) on self- care. There were seven (7) who participated in the focus group discussion (FGD). Data was analyzed using descriptive statistics. The relationship between basic conditioning factors and KAP on self-care of older persons was determined. Appropriate processes for ethical consideration was done.
RESULTS: The results of the study showed that the mean age of Makassarese older persons is 71 years, more females, mostly married, widow, not completed elementary school, not working, and living with their children. The common symptom experiences were: joint pains, low back pain; vision problem, myalgia. As to KAP on self-care, Makassarese older persons have fair knowledge, positive attitude, and low level of practice on self- care. There is significant relationship between knowledge on self-care and education, attitude on self-care and common symptom experiences, practice on self-care and age, gender and education. FGD on practice of self-care showed the following. To stay healthy because of chronic ilness, such as, diabetes and hypertension and to deal with other health problems( e.g. toothache, diarrhea), they resorted to selfremedies and prayer,consuming soft diet, reducing salty and sweet food. Nurses were perceived as important in giving information on health care.
CONCLUSION: Knowledge of the interplay of basic conditioning factors and self-care practices among older persons guide nurses on better and effective nursing care towards self-care. Support in terms of education on self-care for older persons have to consider the basic conditioning factors, and the common symptom experiences of older person to help reduce dependency for their health needs.

Human ; Male ; Female ; Aged 80 And Over ; Aged ; Widowhood ; Focus Groups ; Myalgia ; Diet, Sodium-restricted ; Diabetes Mellitus ; Hypertension ; Arthralgia ; Diarrhea ; Causality

This study is to assess how missing values in socioeconomic status (SES) variables were handled in the Korean Journal of Family Medicine (KJFM) article using the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES) data and to estimate the rate of missing SES variables from the 4th KNHANES. We searched all original articles published in the KJFM from 2007 to 2011 and identified those that used KNHANES as their primary source of data. None of the 11 articles which presented KNHANES SES variables took into account of omitions in the analysis. The estimated rate of missing data on education, household income, marital status, and occupation data of the 4th KNHANES was 0.3 (0.05)%, 2.7 (0.2)%, 0.5 (0.1)%, and 9.4 (0.9)%, respectively. When all four variables were used simultaneously, the rates increased to 11.8 (0.9)%. Respondents with missing household income tended to be older (P < 0.001), less educated (P < 0.001), and more likely to be unemployed (P < 0.001), and widowed (P < 0.001). A similar relationship was shown for missing occupation data. Omissions in SES variables in KNHANES were related to certain characteristics of study participants. Researchers using KNHANES data should keep in mind the possible bias which can be introduced by missing SES values.
Bias (Epidemiology) ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Family Characteristics ; Humans ; Korea ; Marital Status ; Nutrition Surveys ; Occupations ; Social Class ; Socioeconomic Factors ; Widowhood

BACKGROUND: Marital status is as an important sociodemographic variable for health studies. We assessed the association between marital status and health behavior in middle-aged Korean adults. METHODS: This is a cross-sectional study of 2,522 Korean middle-aged adults (1,049 men, 1,473 women) from the 2010 Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. The subjects were classified as living with a partner or living without a partner (never married, separated, widowed, and divorced). We assessed the relationship between marital status and five health behaviors (smoking, high-risk alcohol intake, regular exercise, regular breakfast consumption, and undergoing periodic health screening). RESULTS: Age, income level, educational level, and occupational classification were all significantly associated with marital status. The risk of undergoing health screening (odds ratio [OR], 0.53; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.32 to 0.90) and having regular breakfast (OR, 0.50; 95% CI, 0.27 to 0.92) were significantly lower in men living without a partner than with a partner. Women living without a partner had a higher smoking risk (OR, 2.27; 95% CI, 1.09 to 4.73) and a higher risk of high-risk alcohol consumption (OR, 5.33; 95% CI, 1.65 to 17.24) than their counterparts. CONCLUSION: Korean middle-aged adults living with partners are more likely to have healthier behavior than living without a partner. The association between marital status and health behaviors differed by sex.
Adult ; Alcohol Drinking ; Breakfast ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; Female ; Gender Identity ; Health Behavior ; Humans ; Male ; Marital Status ; Mass Screening ; Nutrition Surveys ; Smoke ; Smoking ; Widowhood