PURPOSE
The purpose of this study was to compare depression, somatoform disorders, and quality of life among older adults.
METHODS
Samples of 280 community-dwelling Korean older adults were included. The age range of the participants was 60 to 90 years (average 72.6+/-6.4). The participants were assigned to one of two groups based on reported scores on the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index from September 2006 to March 2007. The two groups were designated as "poor sleepers"and "good sleepers". A T-test was used to compare depression, somatoform disorders and quality of life between the two groups.
RESULTS
Forty-six percent of participants reported scores that indicated they were poor sleepers. Poor sleepers reported significantly higher depression scores (p<.001), higher somatoform disorders scores (p<.001), lower for each SF-36 quality of life dimension, and lower mental and physical health summary scores (p<.001) than the reported scores of those participants who were classified as good sleepers.
CONCLUSION
Older adults with poor sleep patterns are more likely to report higher depression, more somatoform disorders and a lower quality of life. Additional research is needed to identify the appropriate nursing interventions aimed at improving sleep quality, depression symptoms, somatoform disorders and the quality of life.

PURPOSE
The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationships between a experience of falling, fear of falling, depression, and perceived health status in urban areas.
METHODS
After obtaining Institutional Review Board (IRB) approval, a one-time, face-to-face, and private interview was conducted with each participant who was eligible and agreed to participate in this study from May 2007 to August 2007 by trained graduate-level nursing students. The questionnaires consisted of Fall Efficacy Scale, K-GDS, and SF-36. The collected data were analyzed with SPSS/PC 12.0 program, which was used for frequency, percentage, mean, standard deviation, t-test, and hierarchical regression.
RESULTS
The major findings of this study were as follows; 1) approximately 9% of participants had fallen within one year. Study participants reported moderate fear of falling(M=43.80); moderate physical health (M=42.31) and mental health(M=46.05); and low depression status(M=10.38). 2) there were significant differences in fear of falling according to gender, experience of falling, exercise, and depression. 3) significant factors influencing on fear of falling were experience of falling and physical health status.
CONCLUSION
The results of this study indicate that nurses working closely with older adults should be taught the impact of previous falls and physical health status on fear of falling and need to reinforce exercise behavior for older adults who are vulnerable to fear of falling.