Recently, there has been a rise in the number of spouses becoming primary caregivers to patients with dementia. This study identifies the mediating effects of depression and sleep quality on the relationship between perceived stress and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) among primary caregiving spouses of patients with severe dementia through a secondary data analysis of the 2018 Korea Community Health Survey by the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency. Data from 229 primary caregiving spouses of patients with severe dementia were analyzed using descriptive statistics, Spearman’s rank correlation or Pearson’s correlation analysis, and the lavaan R package, version 0.6-9. The association between perceived stress status (PSS) and the European Quality of Life Five Dimension (EQ-5D) index was highly significant. The direct effect of PSS observed in the model was nullified with both the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 and the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index as mediators, which implies that they mediate the effect of PSS on caregivers’ EQ-5D indexes. The mediation model accounted for 33.2% of the variance in the EQ-5D index of caregivers. The results suggest the need to develop an intervention to improve sleep quality and manage depression to mitigate a decline in HRQoL for these caregivers.

Purpose:The purpose of the study was to develop a predictive model of Health-related Quality of Life (HRQoL) for Korean Goose daddies -they live alone in Korea to support their families who moved overseas for children's education. Methods: Data were collected from 151 goose daddies from May to June of 2011 by using the structured self-reported questionnaires. The collected data were analyzed using SAS program (version 9.2) and SAS CALIS procedure. Results: Frequency of exercise, monthly income, depression, perceived physical health, and perceived mental health had direct effects on HRQoL and Depression was the variable accounting for major total effect on HRQoL. It could be explained that predictor variables accounted for 76% of the health-related quality of life. Conclusion: In order to improve Goose daddies' HRQoL, predictive factors, such as age, exercise, nutritional status, monthly income, depression, perceived physical health, and perceived mental health, should be considered. Furthermore, should the need of the exercise and diet program, early detection of depression and the treatment for it be emphasized. Also, there is a need to establish institutional structures to support goose daddies in adversity.

Owing to a growing older adult population, dementia is emerging as an important health issue. Given that maintaining cognitive functions is crucial for the prevention of dementia, this study aimed to identify the predictors of cognitive function in community-dwelling older adults, through a secondary data analysis of the 2017 National Survey of Older Koreans. A total of 9836 participants were classified into three age groups—young-old (65–74 years), old-old (75–84 years), and oldest-old (≥85 years)—and were separately analyzed using multiple linear regression models. The final model explained 28.0%, 35.0%, and 37.0% of variance in cognitive function in the three age groups, respectively. The most potent predictors of cognitive function in the young-old were electronic device-based activities, instrumental activities of daily living (IADL), and nutrition management; the predictors for the old-old group were electronic device-based activities, IADL, and dementia screening, and those for the oldest-old group were frequency of contact with acquaintances, traveling, and religion. Thus, age group-specific interventions are needed to effectively promote cognitive function among older adults. Digital literacy education, use of community-based elderly welfare programs, opportunities for social interactions, and physical activities can help older adults in maintaining a functional status and muscle strengthening.

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