Influence of Living Arrangements on the Management and Control of Hypertension: A Mixed-Methods Study of Korean American Elderly

Abstract

Elders living alone may experience worse health outcomes than do those living with spouse and/or children. Using baseline data from a randomized trial to promote high blood pressure (HBP) control in Korean elders (N=440), we examined the relationship between living arrangements and HBP control. We also interviewed a sub-sample to better understand the patterns of social interactions associated with different types of living arrangements. One in five reported living alone; this group tended to be older and female, and resided in senior group housing. Those living alone were twice as likely as those living with a spouse to have controlled BP (OR=2.08; 95% CI 1.09–3.97), even after controlling for study covariates. Those in senior group housing had frequent social interactions that involved conversations around health, encouragement concerning medication taking, and health information sharing. In conclusion, Korean elders living independently are neither socially-isolated nor at increased risk for poor BP control.

Predictors of happiness among older Korean women living alone

“…Consistent with prior studies, in the present study, the degree of self‐esteem was associated with the level of happiness, despite the fact that participants were living alone. Self‐esteem has been found to be related to the size of the social network, and older women might be particularly sensitive to social support . The older women living alone in the present study participated in social activities, such as dancing or cooking, and this helped them retain their self‐esteem.…”

“…However, these results were not always consistent. For example, in recent studies, the mental health and vitality of women living alone was found to be better than that of individuals living with their spouses . Similarly, it is meaningful to understand that older women living alone in South Korea have a moderate level of happiness.…”

“…For example, in recent studies, the mental health and vitality of women living alone was found to be better than that of individuals living with their spouses. 22,24 Similarly, it is meaningful to understand that older women living alone in South Korea have a moderate level of happiness. Indeed, it begs the question: Why do they not have a low level of happiness, given that they were living alone?…”

“…Culturally, women tend to have a greater obligation to support children than do men, which can make it difficult for them to have a social network outside the household while living with family. 24 Living alone in later life might help them develop a social network outside the household, which might positively influence their psychophysical function. 24 The self-esteem of this population was moderate and they had a mild level of depressive symptoms.…”

“…24 Living alone in later life might help them develop a social network outside the household, which might positively influence their psychophysical function. 24 The self-esteem of this population was moderate and they had a mild level of depressive symptoms. From the results of hierarchically regression analysis, the level of happiness was significantly related to the degree of self-esteem and depressive symptoms; that is, older women with a high degree of self-esteem and mild depressive symptoms tended to have a higher level of happiness.…”