Attitude toward One's Own Aging among Korean Middle-aged Adults and the Elderly

Abstract

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.

Combatting ageism in the Western Pacific region

“…43−47 This association, however, might be more complex given the interdependence between family members. In South Korea, for example, research has found a tendency towards negative self-perceptions of aging among older people, 48,49 with both intergenerational and spousal relations and contexts (including health status) being associated with one's self-perceptions of aging, thus, stressing the interdependence between family members. 50 There also are variations in self-perceptions of aging across different age cohorts, with younger Japanese cohorts reporting better self-perceptions of aging compared with older cohorts, 47 as well as variations across geographic areas, with rural Chinese older adults reporting poorer self-perceptions of aging.…”

Effects of Health Status, Depression, Gerotranscendence, Self-Efficacy, and Social Support on Healthy Aging in the Older Adults with Chronic Diseases

“…First of all, in order to improve the healthy aging of older adults in Korea, it would be needed to understand its degree and then to analyze the variables related to it. However, the research on the health of older adults in the nursing aspect has been limited to the concept of attitude towards aging [7], life satisfaction [8], quality of life, health-related quality of life, successful aging, and health conservation [9][10][11][12], while there are not many studies on healthy aging [13]. Especially, a study on healthy aging was conducted a long time ago when the environment was quite different from the recent environment [13], and it did not clearly divide older adults, so it needs to be analyzed more systematically.…”

Nursing Homes of the Elderly in Asia: A comparison of Korea and Japan

“…Thus, family visits to the nursing homes greatly aids in the lowering of the stress levels of elderly and the plays healing roles in their mental and physical state (Choi, Ransom, & Wyllie, 2008). It is not an exaggeration to state that the elderly consider their family to become increasing valuable and important as time goes on (Jo, 2006). Despite all these barriers and negative feelings for the nursing homes, many elderly people were willing to stay and work it out if it meant helping their families and not creating more burden for them.…”