Employment and occupation effects on late-life depressive symptoms among older Koreans: a cross-sectional population survey

BACKGROUND: The present study investigated the prevalence of depressive symptoms in older Koreans and identified associations between depressive symptoms and occupational factors. METHODS: Data from the Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey V (2010–2012) were used to analyze 7320 participants aged 55 years or older. Complex sample logistic regression analysis was performed after adjusting general characteristics to determine associations between depressive symptoms and occupational factors. RESULTS: Among older Korean men, the prevalence of depressive symptoms in the employed and the non-employed groups were 9.9 % and 13.7 %, respectively. Employment status was significantly associated with depressive symptoms after adjusting for general factors (OR: 0.69, 95 % CI: 0.49–0.97). Among older Korean women, the prevalence of depressive symptoms in the employed and the non-employed groups were 17.4 % and 20.3 %, respectively, but employment status was not significantly associated with depressive symptoms. Second skill level occupational groups (clerks, plant and machine operators) in particular showed significantly lower prevalence of depressive symptoms than the non-employed group of men (9.3 % vs 13.7 %). By occupation type, the odds ratios were 0.31 (95 % CI: 0.10–0.97, clerks) and 0.47 (95 % CI: 0.23–0.86, plant and machine operators) adjusting for general factors. CONCLUSIONS: The employed group showed lower late-life depressive symptom prevalence than the non-employed group among older Korean men. In addition some second skill level occupations (clerks, plant and machine operators) were significantly associated with a lower risk of depressive symptoms after adjusting for general factors in older Korean men.

Self-efficacy and Physical Activity Behavior among Older Korean-Americans / 성인간호학회지

PURPOSE: The purpose of present study was to explore relationship between physical activity (PA) behavior and self-efficacy among older Korean-Americans (OKAs) based on reviewing major theories that are used to understand PA behavior, particularly as they relate to older adults within sociocultural contexts. METHODS: 151 OKAs, living in California, were recruited and interviewed once. Self-efficacy and PA level were measured by Exercise Self-Efficacy Scale, Community Healthy Activities Model Program for Seniors (K-CHAMPS) questionnaire, respectively. RESULTS: 82.8% of OKA women and 72.4% of OKA men had relatively low (38.8+/-29.3) self-efficacy related to PA. Exercise self-efficacy was statistically significant and positively associated with frequency for moderate and greater PA (r = 0.25, p < .01), frequency for all listed PA (r = 0.21, p < .05), caloric expenditure for moderate and greater PA (r = 0.23, p < .01), and caloric expenditure for all listed PA (r = 0.31, p < .01). CONCLUSION: Social Cognitive Theory including self-efficacy can provide insight about how to shape strategies that encourage OKAs to adhere to regular PA because it focuses on environmental as well as personal factors. Increased efforts are needed to understand the other factors associated with being active in OKAs.