Study of the Successful Aging of the Elderly Women in Rural Area

Abstract

Objectives: This study is the descriptive survey study to research the factors affecting successful aging of the elderly women in rural areas. Methods: The data was collected by using the tools of successful aging, health promoting behavior, depression based on 280 women aged over 65 in 16 centers for senior citizens located in B-district, J-province from June to July 2016, and 273 copies suitable for the study were analyzed. Results: It was analyzed that the successful aging and health promoting behavior showed the significant positive correlation (r = 0.86, p < 0.01), the successful aging and depression (r =-0.74, p < 0.01), and the health promoting behavior and depression (r =-0.67, p < 0.01) showed the significant negative correlation. The factors affecting the successful aging of the elderly women in rural areas were the health promoting behavior (β = 0.24, p < 0.001) and depression (β =-0.20, p < 0.001), and the explanatory power of model was 82.2% (F = 314.27, p < 0.001). Conclusions: This study suggests a need for promoting the health promoting behavior and the structural movements in the local community to mediate the psychological risk factors as depression for the successful aging of the elderly women living in a rural area.

Association between successful aging transitions and depressive symptoms among older Korean adults: findings from the Korean longitudinal study of aging (2006–2018)

“…Cross-study comparisons are difficult due to variations in successful aging criteria and lack of longitudinal studies; however, previous evidence suggests an inverse cross-sectional relationship between SA and depression. A descriptive study by Shin et al investigated the correlation between SA, measured using a Korean elderly successful aging scale, and depression in elderly women, noting that the two factors had a significant inverse correlation [ 26 ]. A study conducted in Brazil used active aging, a concept similar to successful aging, having a common feature of social activity participation, stated that older adults who actively aged had a lower prevalence of depression after controlling for multiple confounders [ 27 ].While the exact mechanism behind the relationship between SA and depression remains unknown, we hypothesized that compared to those met criteria for SA, those who could not meet criteria for SA feel discouraged and hopeless due to the accumulation of multiple burdens (such as cognitive decline, disability, and limited social circle and activity), thereby causing feelings of depression [ 28 ].…”