Purpose
This study aimed to construct and test the Actor and Partner Interdependence Mediation Model (APIMeM) of aging anxiety of middle-aged couples based on Social Cognitive Theory and the “Crossover” concept.
Methods
Couples’ data were collected from 192 middle-aged couples.
Results
Actor effects and partner effects were supported in the two APIMeM models. Regarding the wives' aging anxiety, the actor effect of their climacteric symptoms and their cognition (husband climacteric symptoms) was mediated by their self-efficacy. Similarly, the partner effect of the husbands' cognition (wife climacteric symptoms) was also mediated by their husbands' self-efficacy. Considering the husbands' aging anxiety, the actor effect of the husbands' climacteric symptoms and the husbands' cognition (wife climacteric symptoms) was mediated by the wives' self-efficacy. The partner effect of the wives' climacteric symptoms and their cognition (husband climacteric symptoms) was mediated by the husbands' self-efficacy.
Conclusion
To reduce the aging anxiety of middle-aged couples and to reach a healthy old age, it is essential for a wife and husband to realize this together. It is considered that the aging anxiety of middle-aged couples will be more effectively prevented by implementing an interactive program to enhance self-efficacy, which has been identified as an important parameter of the actor-partner effect.

Purpose
The purpose of this study is to explore the benefits of and barriers to disclosing one’s depressive feelings to others. In particular, this study contrasts the barriers to face-to-face communication of depressive feelings with the benefits of using Mobile Instant Messaging (MIM). Methods: A total of 300 South Koreans participated in an online survey about their perceptions of disclosing depressive feelings. Paired t-tests, one-way ANOVA, and linear regression were used to examine the effect of demographic characteristics on the tendency to disclose depressive feelings. A semantic network analysis was conducted with open-ended responses to explore the proposed barriers and benefits. Results: Barriers to expressing depressive feelings in face-to-face communication were observed, while benefits of using MIM were revealed. More importantly, while the perception of social norms was a major barrier to disclosing depressive feelings in face-to-face communication, it was a benefit of disclosing depressive feelings via MIM. Conclusion: The results highlight the benefits of utilizing MIM as a channel for the disclosure of depressive feelings, which may, in turn, enhance emotional well-being.

Citations

• Digital Youth's Self-talk and Pep-talk: Mood Regulation via Mobile Media and Emotional Well-being
  Soontae An, Hannah Lee
  Journal of Korean Academy of Fundamentals of Nursing.2022; 29(3): 337.     CrossRef

Purpose
The developmental tasks of the midlife are to integrate youth and aging, have a positive attitude to aging, and prepare for old age. The purpose of this study was to identify the influence of health condition and awareness of successful aging on preparation for old age of midlife in the community.
Methods
The participants in this study were 247 middle-aged people, aged between 40 and 64 years and living in Korea. The data collection period was from December 2019 to January 2020, and data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, independent t-test, one-way ANOVA, Pearson’s correlation coefficients, and multiple regression with the SPSS Statistics 23.0.
Results
Results showed statistically significant correlations between health condition and awareness of successful aging (r=.19, p=.002), health condition and preparation for old age (r=.27, p<.001), and awareness of successful aging and preparation for old age (r=.58, p<.001). Age (β=-.11, p=.029), avocation (β=.12, p=.022), health condition (β=.13, p=.017), and awareness of successful aging (β=.53, p<.001) were all factors influencing preparation for old age in final model, and its explanatory power was adjusted R 2 of .39.
Conclusion
Intervention programs such as a regular mental and physical health checkups and tailored post-retirement plans for middle-aged people should be developed to promote health conditions and enhance awareness of successful aging.

Citations

• The Effects of Health Status and Social Support on Happiness in Middle­Aged Women
  Bok Hui Baek, So Young Choi
  Journal of Korean Public Health Nursing.2024; 38(1): 16.     CrossRef

Purpose
The objective of this study was to assess effects of a medication adherence promotion program for breast cancer patients receiving adjuvant hormonal therapy.
Methods
This study used a randomized control group repeated measures design. A total of 79 participants were recruited from an outpatient clinic in the Chonbuk National University Hospital, Jeonju city. The program's effects on medication adherence, perceived stress, depression, and fatigue were assessed at three points: before, at the 9th week, and again at the 16th week of the program application. The data were collected from July 3 to November 9, 2017.
Results
Statistically significant differences in changes in medication adherence, perceived stress, and depression over the assessment points between experimental and control groups were revealed. Scores on medication adherence in the experimental group improved at the 9th week mark and lowered a little at the 16th week, but remained higher than before the program application, however. Scores on perceived stress and depression in the experimental group improved at the 9th week and stayed almost at the same level at the 16th week.
Conclusion
It is clear that consistent nursing interventions are needed to promote and maintain medication adherence and associated symptoms, particularly for breast cancer patients who require long-term hormonal therapy.

Purpose
The purpose of this study was to investigate the roles of the perception of aging symptoms in mediating and moderating the relationship between family function and stress in middle-aged adults.
Methods
This was a cross-sectional correlational study of 244 middle-aged men and women. Self-administered surveys were conducted using the Family APGAR, stress index, and symptom management beliefs questionnaire. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, independent t-test, Pearson’s correlation coefficient, hierarchical multiple regression analysis, and PROCESS macro using SPSS 23.0.
Results
A significant interaction between family function and the perception of aging symptoms in predicting stress was found, indicating a moderating effect of the perception of aging symptoms on the relationship between family function and stress. An indirect effect of family function on stress through the perception of aging symptoms was not significant, indicating an insignificant mediating effect of the perception of aging symptoms.
Conclusion
The relationship between family function and stress differed depending on participants’ perceptions of aging symptoms. Individuals with negative perceptions of aging symptoms may be vulnerable to stress caused by poorer family function. It is necessary to develop programs to help modify negative perceptions of aging as well as strengthen family function to decrease the stress of middle-aged adults.

PURPOSE
This study aimed to investigate a successful aging experience of aged on the in-home benefits of long-term care insurance.
METHODS
The participants included 12 aged individuals receiving such benefits. Data were collected using in-depth interviews from November of 2016 to July of 2017. The qualitative analysis process followed the grounded theory method by Strauss and Corbin.
RESULTS
The research results indicate that the core category was “living my life in my home using my remaining abilities”. The phenomenon was “recognizing the limitations of my body”, and causal conditions were “old and sick body” and “depression”. The interaction strategies were “examining my body”, “engaging in self-reflection”, “controlling my mind”, “taking care of my health according to the illnesses I experience”, “managing my remaining abilities”, “connecting with a supportive network”, and “spending time”. The outcomes were “living by adapting to my limited body conditions”, “leading my life with the help of others”, “sharing the meaning of life with others”, and “reestablishing my life values”.
CONCLUSION
Based on the this results, systematic health management programs such as personalized physical activity to maintain and preserve remaining function of the body should be develop to maintain the life in my home for aged.

Citations

• Successful aging among the elderly with mild cognitive impairment facing the crisis of old age: a grounded theory study
  Haeyun Shin, Suhye Kwon
  Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing.2025; 55(2): 301.     CrossRef
• Transition Experiences of the Elderly from Long-Term Care Hospital to Home: Focusing on the Elderly Living Alone of Community Care Project
  Yun Hee Hwang, Ga Eon Lee
  Journal of Korean Academy of Community Health Nursing.2021; 32(3): 382.     CrossRef

PURPOSE
Geriatric depression is often closely connected with physical symptoms among older adults. This study aimed to determine the factors related to depressive symptoms among older adults with multiple chronic diseases.
METHODS
We assessed 6,672 older adults using data extracted from the 2014 National Survey on the Elderly in Korea. The short form of the Geriatric Depression Scale and the Korean versions of the Mini-Mental State Examination for dementia screening and the DETERMINE Your Nutrition Health Checklist were used. Statistical analyses included independent t-test, χ2 test, and logistic regression analysis.
RESULTS
We found that 36.7% of the older adults exhibited depressive symptoms, and the average score on the short form of the Geriatric Depression Scale was 5.90±4.53. The factors significantly related to depressive symptoms were unemployment (Odds Ratio [OR]=1.85, 95% Confidence Interval [CI]=1.59~2.15), “high risk” nutritional management status (OR=1.19, 95% CI=1.16~1.22), slight visual dysfunction (OR=1.21, 95% CI=1.05~1.38), high visual dysfunction (OR=1.41, 95% CI=1.04~1.91), slight hearing dysfunction (OR=1.22, 95% CI=1.05~1.43), slight chewing dysfunction (OR=1.37, 95% CI=1.19~1.59), high chewing dysfunction (OR=1.59, 95% CI=1.30~1.95), low cellphone utilization (OR=1.60, 95% CI=1.04~2.46), older age (OR=0.99, 95% CI=0.98~1.00), and higher educational level (OR=0.96, 95% CI=0.95~0.98).
CONCLUSION
Preventive interventions for depressive symptoms should include nutritional education programs, functional assistive devices, and the use of information technology.

Citations

• Muscle Strength Moderates the Relationship between Nutritional Health Risk and Depression in Korean Older Adults
  Jeonghyeon Kim, Seamon Kang, Haeryun Hong, Hyunsik Kang, Ju-Hyoung Kim, Sang-Koo Woo
  Nutrients.2022; 14(3): 665.     CrossRef
• Effects of Nutritional Health Risk and Physical Activity on Depressive Symptoms in Older Adults
  Jihye Gwon, Jiho Shin, Hyunsik Kang
  Exercise Science.2022; 31(2): 173.     CrossRef
• Mental health problems and hypertension in the elderly: Review from the HOPE Asia Network
  Yuda Turana, Jeslyn Tengkawan, Yook C. Chia, Jinho Shin, Chen‐Huan Chen, Sungha Park, Kelvin Tsoi, Peera Buranakitjaroen, Arieska A. Soenarta, Saulat Siddique, Hao‐Min Cheng, Jam C. Tay, Boon W. Teo, Tzung‐Dau Wang, Kazuomi Kario
  The Journal of Clinical Hypertension.2021; 23(3): 504.     CrossRef
• Factor Structure and Validation of the 12-Item Korean Version of the General Health Questionnaire in a Sample of Early Childhood Teachers
  Boram Lee, Yang-Eun Kim
  Education Sciences.2021; 11(5): 243.     CrossRef
• Missing in Action: Bridging Capital and Cross-Boundary Discourse
  Sora Lee, Valerie Braithwaite
  The ANNALS of the American Academy of Political and Social Science.2020; 691(1): 258.     CrossRef

PURPOSE
This study was designed to investigate the impact of the elderly's basic psychological needs and wisdom on successful aging.
METHODS
The study participants were 150 elderly people aged at least fifty five years of age. The participants were drawn from six welfare centers serving the elderly located in Gwangju metropolitan city, Naju city, and Jeonnam province from February 2017 to March 2017. Data were collected by three self-report questionnaires measuring successful aging, basic psychological needs, and wisdom. For data analysis, SPSS/WIN 18.0 program was utilized including one-way ANOVA, independent t-test, Pearson correlation coefficients, and multiple regression.
RESULTS
This study showed a positive correlation between successful aging and basic psychological needs (r=.75 p < .001), wisdom(r=.74 p < .001). In addition, successful aging has a positive correlation with autonomy (r=.32 p < .001), competence (r=.77 p < .001), and relationship (r=.73 p < .001). The competency (β=.40), relationship (β=.18), wisdom (β=.34) have a 69% (F=96.38, p < .001) explanatory power for the successful aging in the elderly.
CONCLUSION
The findings suggest the necessity to support the basic psychological needs of the elderly in order to support wise lives.

Citations

• Attitudes Toward Aging and Influencing Factors in Middle Adulthood
  Jung-Ha Kim, Hye-Yeon Kim
  Journal of Families and Better Life.2025; 43(1): 143.     CrossRef
• COVID-19 Outbreak Restrictions on Daily Activities and Its Psychological Impact on Elderly: A Scoping Review
  Mohamad Qayum Mohamad Sabri, Syahirah Robani, Nor Faridah Ahmad Roslan, Kwai Sang Yau Matthew, Ahmad Zamir Che Daud
  Malaysian Journal of Medicine and Health Sciences.2022; 18(s15): 349.     CrossRef
• Study of the Successful Aging of the Elderly Women in Rural Area
  So Hee Shin, Keum Seong Jang, On Choi
  Journal of Health Informatics and Statistics.2019; 44(2): 198.     CrossRef

PURPOSE
The purpose of this study was to identify and compare the factors influencing attitude toward one's own aging among Korean middle-aged adults and the elderly.
METHODS
A cross sectional study was performed with a total sample of 70 middle-aged adults and 64 elderly reside in two metropolitan areas. Data were collected from August 2015 to November 2015 using the Perceived Health Status Scale, the Health Locus of Control Scale and the Attitude Toward own Aging (ATOA) Scale. The statistics used include percentage, t-test, Pearson's correlation coefficient, and multiple regression.
RESULTS
Mean age for each age group were about 52 and 76 years old for middle-aged adults and the elderly respectively. A considerable proportion of all participants reported a negative attitude toward aging. Perceived health status was the common factor influencing attitude toward one's own aging in both age groups. Middle-aged adults identified presence of chronic illness and internal health locus of control as important factors. In contrast, the elderly reported that education and others-dependent health locus of control such as powerful others had a significant impact on ATOA. Each regression model explained 31% and 55% of the total variance of ATOA among middle-aged adults and among the elderly.
CONCLUSION
Both middle-aged adults and the elderly with low perceived health status are at risk of negative ATOA's. The type health locus of control need to be identified and utilized based on individuals' tendency to improve positive ATOA. That is, middle-aged adults might need reinforcement of their self-will whereas the elderly might need enhancement of social support and network of family and healthcare providers.

Citations

• Combatting ageism in the Western Pacific region
  Liat Ayalon, Senjooti Roy
  The Lancet Regional Health - Western Pacific.2023; 35: 100593.     CrossRef
• Effects of Health Status, Depression, Gerotranscendence, Self-Efficacy, and Social Support on Healthy Aging in the Older Adults with Chronic Diseases
  Hee-Kyung Kim, Jeong-Hyo Seo
  International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health.2022; 19(13): 7930.     CrossRef
• Effects of Cognicise-Neurofeedback on Health Locus of Control, Depression, and Quantitative Electroencephalography Alpha Asymmetry in Elderly Women
  Heewook Weon, Jieun Yoo, Jumhwa Yu, Miso Park, Haekyoung Son
  Brain Sciences.2021; 11(7): 899.     CrossRef
• “Better be dead than grow older:” A qualitative study on subjective aging among older Koreans
  Eun Young Choi, Sung Hyun Ko, Yuri Jang
  Journal of Aging Studies.2021; 59: 100974.     CrossRef
• Negative attitudes toward aging mediated the association between HIV status and depression among older people in mainland china
  Sitong Luo, Xue Yang, Zixin Wang, Pei Qin, Hui Jiang, Xi Chen, Jianmei He, Bishan Huang, Joseph Tak-fai Lau
  Journal of Affective Disorders.2020; 277: 1005.     CrossRef
• Influence of the Perception of Aging Symptoms as a Mediator and Moderator on the Relationship between Family Function and Stress in Middle-Aged Adults
  Hyun-E Yeom, Kyoung Ok Ju
  Korean Journal of Adult Nursing.2020; 32(2): 175.     CrossRef

PURPOSE
The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of health promotion program on healthy aging preparation for late middle aged women.
METHODS
The research design was a non-equivalent control group quasi-experimental study. Participants were recruited from K and Y cities in Gyeong-nam Province from October, 2013 to January, 2014. They were 26 for the experimental group and 31 for the control group. The experimental group participated in a health promotion program for healthy aging preparation. The program consisted of education, exercise, and small group discussion over 8 weeks. Data were analyzed by Chi-square, t-test and ANCOVA, using the PASW 18.0 program.
RESULTS
There were significant improvements in aging anxiety and general self-efficacy, health promoting behaviors in the experimental group compared to those of the control group. However, there was no significant differences in attitude toward older adults between the two groups.
CONCLUSION
The health promotion program on healthy aging preparation for late middle aged women was found to be effective in enhancing aging anxiety and self-efficacy, and health promoting behavior. Thus, the developed program is recommended for use in clinical practice as an effective nursing intervention for late middle aged women in order to keep up with their health in later life.

Citations

• The effect of multiple nursing interventions on physical activity and health promotion in the elderly: A randomized controlled trial
  Zeynep Saçıkara, Dilek Cingil
  Geriatric Nursing.2024; 59: 150.     CrossRef
• Effects of a Walking Exercise-Focused Health Promotion Program for Middle-Aged Women in the Korean Community
  Soojeong Yang, Hyunlye Kim
  International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health.2022; 19(22): 14947.     CrossRef
• Concept Analysis of Health Promotion Activities in the Middle-aged Women
  Jeong-Soo KIM
  JOURNAL OF FISHRIES AND MARINE SCIENCES EDUCATION.2020; 32(5): 1242.     CrossRef
• Effects of aromatherapy on stress, fructosamine, fatigue, and sleep quality in prediabetic middle-aged women: A randomised controlled trial
  Myung-Haeng Hur, Jun Hwa Hong, SeongHee Yeo
  European Journal of Integrative Medicine.2019; 31: 100978.     CrossRef

PURPOSE
The purpose of this study was to analyze the effect of sexual attitude among the elderly to their sexual life while exploring the moderating effect of general characteristics in the relationship between sexual attitude and sexual life.
METHODS
A descriptive research design was used. The subjects were 322 married elderly from four silver centers in Seoul and Gangwon-do. Aging Sexuality Attitude Scale developed by White (1982) was used to examine sexual life status and general characteristics of the subjects (gender, age, academic background, religion, economic status, and residential type). For data analysis, chi2-test, t-test, and ANOVA were conducted. Since the dependent variable of sexual life is a binary variable, hierarchical logistic regression was implemented.
RESULTS
There were 180 people (55.9%) who had a sexual life. Depending on gender (chi2=35.03, p<.001), academic background (chi2=29.45, p<.001), and economic status (chi2=7.36, p=.025), the subjects showed significant difference in terms of sexual life. Regarding sexual attitude, the subjects showed significant difference depending on gender (t=-5.47, p<.001), age (t=-2.31, p=.021), academic background (t=5.16, p<.001), economic status (F=3.17, p=.043), and sexual life status (t=4.99, p<.001).
CONCLUSION
It is important to devise the sex education program in consideration of gender, age, and academic background that showed moderating effects.

Citations

• Necessity and methods of sexual education in the elderly population
  Hana Yoon
  Journal of the Korean Medical Association.2019; 62(6): 320.     CrossRef
• Effects of Expressive Sexual Coping Behavior on the Prostitution Attitude of Spouseless Men
  Byeong-Joo Jeon, Keon-Hoo Kim
  Journal of Digital Convergence.2015; 13(2): 13.     CrossRef

PURPOSE
The purpose of this study was to identify aging anxiety and influencing factors of middle-aged adults.
METHODS
Descriptive correlation design was used. Three hundred and three middle-aged adults participated in the study and completed the questionnaires in the period from September 11 to October 15 of 2011. The data was analyzed using independent t-test, one-way ANOVA, Scheffe test, Pearson correlation coefficients, and hierarchial multiple regression analysis.
RESULTS
Aging anxiety of middle-aged adults was higher than a moderate level. Socio-demographic variables such as age, religion, education, economic level, perceived health status and experience of living with older adults influenced significantly on aging anxiety. In contrast, general self-efficacy, aging knowledge and attitude toward older adults were negatively correlated with aging anxiety. Hierarchial multiple regression analysis incorporating these variables showed an explanation rate of aging anxiety at 21%. And religion, perceived health status, attitude toward older adults, and general self-efficacy were statistically significant among variables that influence on aging anxiety.
CONCLUSION
The findings of this study suggest that senior preparation programs that can enhance self-efficacy, induce positive attitude on older adults and promote health should be implemented to reduce aging anxiety of middle-aged adults.

Citations

• 중년 여성의 행복감과 삶의 의미가 노화 불안에 미치는 영향*
  성민 전, 정윤 박
  Journal of Family Relations.2025; 29(4): 49.     CrossRef
• Yaşlı Bireylere Bakım Verenlerde Yaşlılık Dönemi Korkusu ve Ölüm Kaygısı
  Kübra Sarı, Merve Çayır Yılmaz
  Geriatrik Bilimler Dergisi.2025; 8(1): 10.     CrossRef
• Aging is inevitable: understanding aging anxiety related to physical symptomology and quality of life with the mediating role of self-esteem in adults
  Rowaida Yawar, Soulat Khan, Maryam Rafiq, Nimra Fawad, Sundas Shams, Saher Navid, Muhammad Abdullah Khan, Nabiha Taufiq, Areesha Touqir, Moazma Imran, Tayyab Ali Butt
  International Journal of Human Rights in Healthcare.2024; 17(2): 170.     CrossRef
• Association between Menopausal Women’s Quality of Life and Aging Anxiety: The Role of Life Satisfaction and Depression
  Seunghee Lee, Mijung Jang, Dohhee Kim, KyooSang Kim
  Medicina.2024; 60(8): 1189.     CrossRef
• Evaluating Eye Health and Interest in Eye Health Care of Middle-Aged Adults
  Myoung-Hee Lee, Ka-Ul Choi, Se-Jin Kim
  Journal of Korean Ophthalmic Optics Society.2023; 28(2): 83.     CrossRef
• Aging anxiety and beliefs about exercise in middle-aged women
  Nedim TEKİN, Adeviye AYDIN
  Turkish Journal of Kinesiology.2023; 9(3): 214.     CrossRef
• The health status, aging anxiety, social networking, generativity, and happiness of late middle-aged adults
  Hae Kyung Chang
  The Journal of Korean Academic Society of Nursing Education.2021; 27(4): 392.     CrossRef
• The Effects of Climacteric Symptom Cognition, Self-efficacy on Aging Anxiety in Middle-Aged Couples: Actor and Partner Interdependence Mediation Model
  Yeon-Suk Kim, Myung-Haeng Hur
  Korean Journal of Adult Nursing.2021; 33(3): 247.     CrossRef
• Development of an Aging Anxiety Scale for Middle-Aged Women
  Haejin Lee, Mi-Ae You
  Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing.2019; 49(1): 14.     CrossRef
• The Effects of Social support, Self-efficacy and Perceived health status on Aging anxiety of the Middle-aged women
  Young-Ok Jung, Hyo-Sook Oh
  Journal of Korean Public Health Nursing.2016; 30(1): 30.     CrossRef
• Aging Anxiety, Factors of Successful Aging and Preparation for Aging in Early and Late Middle Age
  Kum-Hee Hong, Ju-Young Ha
  Journal of Korean Public Health Nursing.2015; 29(1): 29.     CrossRef
• Influences on the Aging Anxiety of University Students
  Suk-Jung Han, Hyo-Sun Kim
  Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society.2015; 16(2): 1164.     CrossRef

PURPOSE
The aim of the study was to identify the effects of education from using cellular phones and a short messaging service.
METHODS
Collected data included baseline demographics, blood pressure, abdominal circumference, total cholesterol, body mass index and health behavior index (Dietary Practice Guidelines Score, Physical Activity, Drinking frequency, Stress score, Subjective health status, and Action change stage score). Data were collected at public health centers in Chungcheongnam-do from January to December, 2011. Data obtained from Individual health counseling Programs in Chungcheongnam-do. Analysis was divided into health risk group and Disease management group, using a paired t test.
RESULTS
Following the education of using short messaging service of cellular phones Health risk group was a reduction in the systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, waist circumference. Disease management group was a reduction in the systolic blood pressure and body mass index. In both groups, there were improvement in the Health behavior index; dietary practice guidelines score, physical activity, stress score, subjective health status and action change stage scores.
CONCLUSION
These results indicated that education using short messaging service of cellular phone for Community was effective in improving health behaviors and status. By applying the results, development of customized teaching messages for stable settlement is required.

Citations

• Short-term Effects of a Lifestyle Intervention Program on Eating Behaviors, Physical Activity and Cardiovascular Risks in Korean Adults
  Jiyeon Park, Hyekyeong Kim
  Korean Journal of Health Education and Promotion.2014; 31(4): 37.     CrossRef

PURPOSE
The objective of this study was to identify the relationships between family function and successful aging of vulnerable elderly using the circumplex model.
METHODS
The participants were the elderly (N=401) who were over 65 years old living in H city under the National Livelihood Security Act. Family Adaptability and Cohesion Evaluation Scale III and Successful Aging Instrument were used.
RESULTS
The family function perceived by the study subjects was average 43.20 +/- 16.62 out of maximum 100 points. According to the analysis on family types suggested by circumplex model, there were 183 people for balance family (45.6%) and 218 people (54.4%) for extreme family. The total points on successful aging were 1.67 +/- 0.37 out of 3 points. When the difference in points on the Successful Aging instrument were analyzed according to the scores on the Family Adaptability and Cohesion Scale those points of the balanced family were statistically significant (t=2.087, p=.038).
CONCLUSION
In case of the balanced family type, the level of perceiving successful aging was relatively higher. For the improvement of family function, it is advised that the successful aging perception among vulnerable elderly can be uplifted through a program that enables effective communication with other family members.

PURPOSE
This study was conducted to evaluate successful aging (SA) in elderly individuals and to determine the factors that influence SA.
METHODS
The subjects included 207 elderly individuals from D city, Korea. The data were obtained between July 1 and August 30, 2008. The participants were assured of anonymity and confidentiality. For the evaluation, Kim & Shin's SA scale, Lawton's instrumental activities of daily living (IADL) scale, Jon's self-esteem scale, Kee's geriatric depression scale short form-Korean (GDSSF-K), and Hong's productive activities scale were used. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, the t-test, analysis of variance (ANOVA), and Pearson correlation coefficients; multiple regression analysis was performed using the SPSS/WIN 10.0 program.
RESULTS
The maximum score for SA was 34, and the mean score was 22.62. It was found that SA was significantly correlated to IADL, self-esteem, depression, and productive activity. Depression was the most powerful predictor of SA and it accounted for 40.6% of the total variance in SA. Self-esteem, productive activity, living situation, economic status, and age together accounted for 62.1% of the total variation in SA.
CONCLUSION
Depression, self-esteem, and productive activity were identified as variables that influence SA. On the basis of these results, we conclude that nurses should assist elderly individuals in order to facilitate SA. Moreover, individualized nursing management strategies must be developed in order to facilitate SA.

PURPOSE
This study examined the mood state, activities of daily living, and attitude toward aging in the elderly according to the existence of a spouse and investigated the relation between these factors. METHOD: The subjects consisted of 190 elderly people, who were classified into two groups: those with and without a spouse. The data was collected from March to December 2004 using a structured questionnaire that included general characteristics, mood states, instrumental activities of daily living (IADL), and an attitude toward aging scale. The collected data was analyzed using the program SPSS, including descriptive statistics, chi2-test, ANOVA, Scheff's test, and the Pearson correlation coefficient. RESULT: 1. There were significant differences between the two groups in mood state (t=-3.349, p=.001), anxiety-depression (t=-3.350, p=.001), and anger (t=p=.003) in the mood state subscales, and in attitude toward aging (t=2.514, p=.013). 2. There was a significant positive correlation between vigor and IADL (r=.253, p=.012) in the elderly with a spouse. 3. When there was a spouse, there was a significant difference according to gender (t=2.587, p=.012) in IADL. Without a spouse, there were significant differences in mood states according to education level (F=3.315, p=.023), in anxiety-depression according to the presence of illness (t=2.156, p=.033), in vigor according to age (F=3.439, p=.020) and education level (F=5.285, p=.002), and in IADL according to monthly income (F=3.322, p=.023) and the presence of illness (t=2.172, p=.032). CONCLUSION: An individualized approach is needed for elderly people that considers living arrangements and the existence of a spouse.

This ethnography was based on Kleinman's explanatory model of a health care system. It is conducted to make thick discription of illness conception of the elderly in a sociocultural context. The basic assumptions were as follows. 1) A health care system is a cultural system, and as with any other cultural system, it is a system of symbolic meanings anchored in a particular arrangement of social institutions and patterns of interpersonal relationships; 2) In all societies health care activities are more or less interrelated. Therefore, they need to be in a holistic manner as socially organized responses to disease that constitute a special cultural system; health care system; 3) Health and illness experiences are the natural process of disease. Individuals who recognized a for state of health, their family, neighbors, and communities define the state, search for causes of the health problems, and response to it. According by, they proceed to search for healing stratagies. So, understanding of the illness experience is the starting point for health care. The study participants were 12 elders aged 60 or more. The fieldwork was conducted in an agricultural clan village of Namwon city. The data collection and analysis were cyclic, from descriptive observation, domain analysis, focused observation, taxanomic analysis, selected observation, componential nalysis, and finally cultural themes were all analysed. Proxemic and text analysis techniques were used according to the characteristics of the data. The data of sociocultural context and descriptive data were collected from 1990 to 1992. Informations on illness concepts were collected during 1994 using focused observation. Data confirming and contrast observations were conducted from 1997 and 1999. Illness concepts of the elderly were taxonomized supernatural cause, non-supernatural cause, immediate cause, and ultimate cause. The supernatural ones were ancestors, god of home, god of village, and ghost such as 'sal(evil force of dead man)' and 'gagqui(ghost of begger)'. The non-supernatural ones were Ki, natural phenomenones, natural objects, foods, human and human behaviors. Immediate ones were insufficiency and overflows, discretion and consolidation, disorder and out of order, cloudness and contamination, and fluctuation and stagnation of supernatural cause and non-supernatural ones. Ultimate causes were intrusion and loss of supernatural and non- supernatural ones. The cultural themes of illness concepts of the elderly are: 1) illness concepts are not based on causality principle, but on reciprocal principle; 2) illness concepts are affected by social level and charicteristics of the patients; 3) the causes of disease are recognized as imposed both positive and negative effects on health based on interpretation of the indiviuals; 4) illness concepts reflects on principles of everyday life of the society members such as hierachial structure and group cohesiveness; 5) illness concepts are ruled on principle of reciprocity and spread; 6) illness concepts are interrelated with physical environment of the participants. It can be concluded that the illness concepts of the elderly in a traditional clan village are a component of health care system as a cultural system based on these results. The these results can be a useful basis for gerontological nursing practice and education.

The purpose of this study was about the experience of middle aged women's aging process. The qualitative research method used was the phenomenological approach. This study tried to discover meaning of life and to understand real experiences of their life and to explore the essence of middle aged women's experience of aging. Furthermore, this study tried to establish of concept of middle age women's holistic health and to help of theoretical development to improve the health. The interviewees were 12 members. The data were collected through in-depth interviews with audiotape recording done by the investigators over a period of five months. The data were analyzed Colaizzi method, new data were continuously coded into statements, cored meanings, themes, groups of themes, and categories. The data were separated into 4 categories; body change, feeling the miss, wise coping and planning the future. The group of themes belonging to 4 categories were body change, sexual change; fleeting, tiredness, attachment of the youth; acceptance, a situation as the adult, fill up the hollow feeling, management body; dying peacefully, preparing for the senior age, being ready to pass away.

This Qualitative nursing research used a hermeneutic phenomenological approach to discover meaning in an aging experience. The ultimate aim of the inquiry was to discover the essence of aging experience and to promote understanding. The study used Van Manen's methodology of phenomenological research. Multiple strategies for data collecting were utilized : in depth face-to-face interview & analysis of elder's literature. The following themes of experience emerged : changing of physical shape, being expelled out in the field of life, reformationing of family relationship, rhythmical patterning of life & death, developing of reflective self-consciousness, awareness of self-expansion creatively. From this study essential themes for understanding aging experience, need for continuing inquiry were identified.