Korean version of the Geriatric Social Readjustment Questionnaire: cross-cultural comparison between Koreans and Americans in the perception of life events

ABSTRACT

The purpose of this study was to construct a Korean version of the Geriatric Social Readjustment Questionnaire (K-GSRQ), to investigate its applicability to the elderly and to compare cross-cultural differences in the perception of the life events between Koreans and Americans. The K-GSRQ consists of 33 items. Most of the life events considered as crucial in old age were similar in ranking in comparison between Koreans and Americans. Some differences in ranking can be attributed to the differences in Socio-cultural backgrounds. The K-GSRQ was applied to controls, neurotic cases and cases with physical illnesses. The result suggest that the Korean version of the Geriatric Social Readjustment Questionnaire is applicable for the study of the health status of the elderly in Korea.