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2 "Horim A. Hwang"
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Original Articles
The Role of Family Interaction Frequency on Depressive Symptoms in Korean Older Adults Aged ≥80 and Living Alone
Horim A. Hwang, Bo Yung Bae, Hyunsuk Jeong, Minsun Yun, Jungeun Choi, Yujin Jeong, Hyeon Woo Yim
J Prev Med Public Health. 2026;59(1):86-94.   Published online December 1, 2025
DOI: https://doi.org/10.3961/jpmph.25.222
  • 1,025 View
  • 135 Download
AbstractAbstract AbstractSummary PDFSupplementary Material
Objectives
Korea is one of the fastest-aging societies, and a large proportion of its older population lives alone. This study examined the impact of family interaction frequency on the association between living alone and depressive symptoms among older adults aged ≥80 years using nationally representative survey data.
Methods
Among the 229 099 participants of the 2019 Korea Community Health Survey, 15 672 participants aged ≥80 years who either lived with close family or lived alone were included in the analysis. Participants living alone were classified according to the frequency of family interaction, ranging from less than once a month to more than once a week. The outcome variable was moderate to severe depressive symptoms, defined as a Patient Health Questionnaire-9 score of ≥10.
Results
The prevalence of depressive symptoms was higher among older adults living alone (9.4–14.1%, depending on the frequency of family interaction) than among those living with close family (6.5%). Older adults living alone who interacted with family less than once a month were more likely to report depressive symptoms compared with those living with close family (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 1.71; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.36 to 2.15). Weekly family interaction mitigated the impact of living alone on the prevalence of depressive symptoms (aOR 1.10; 95% CI, 0.84 to 1.42). The influence of family interaction on the association between living alone and depressive symptoms remained consistent across subgroups of men, women, and those with difficulty in daily activities.
Conclusions
Encouraging regular interaction among family members could serve as an effective strategy to protect the mental health of older adults.
Summary
Korean summary
본 연구는 2019년 지역사회건강조사에 참여한 만 80세 이상의 노인 15,672 명의 자료를 활용하여, 가족과의 정기적인 소통이 독거로 인한 우울증상 유병률의 증가에 미치는 요인을 확인하고자 하였다. 가까운 가족인 배우자 또는 자식과 동거하는 노인들과 비교해 보았을 때, 주 1회 이상의 소통을 하는 독거 노인들의 우울증상 교차비는 유의하게 높지 않았다. 가족과의 정기적인 소통의 보호효과는 성별 또는 일상생활에 어려움에 따른 층화 분석을 한 경우에도 일관된 효과를 보였다.
Key Message
This study explored whether sufficiently frequent family interactions mitigate the increased odds of reporting depressive symptoms due to living alone among older adults aged ≥80. Family interaction of once a week or more frequent mitigated the impact of living alone among the older adults. The protective effect of family interaction remained consistent across gender and difficulty in daily activities.
Association Between Non-adherence to Diabetes Management and Poor Sleep Quality Based on the Korean Community Health Survey
Horim A. Hwang, Hyunsuk Jeong, Hyeon Woo Yim
J Prev Med Public Health. 2025;58(3):260-268.   Published online January 14, 2025
DOI: https://doi.org/10.3961/jpmph.24.486
  • 4,454 View
  • 396 Download
  • 1 Web of Science
  • 1 Crossref
AbstractAbstract AbstractSummary PDFSupplementary Material
Objectives
Adhering to management guidelines, including routine follow-up and education, is crucial for the effective management of chronic diseases such as diabetes. Uncontrolled diabetes is linked to poor sleep quality. We used nationally representative data from community-dwelling Koreans to investigate potential associations between non-adherence to diabetes management and poor sleep quality.
Methods
Of the 228 340 participants in the 2018 Korea Community Health Survey, we analyzed data from 68 246 participants aged 65 years and older. Based on their diabetes status and adherence to diabetes-related tests (glycated hemoglobin, fundus examination, and urine microalbuminuria) and management education, study participants were divided into 3 groups: no diabetes, adherence, and non-adherence. Outcome variables included poor overall sleep quality and sleep disturbances, as measured by the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index.
Results
The study included 934 participants in the adherence group (2.0%) and 13 420 in the non-adherence group (20.2%). Participants displaying non-adherence were significantly more likely to report poor overall sleep quality (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 1.09; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.04 to 1.13) and to experience sleep fragmentation, nocturia, pain during sleep, and difficulty falling asleep compared to participants without diabetes. Even in the earlier stage of diabetes, non-adherent participants were more likely to report poor sleep quality (aOR, 1.06; 95% CI, 1.00 to 1.18).
Conclusions
Patients with diabetes who do not follow management guidelines are more likely to experience poor sleep quality than those without diabetes. Emphasizing diabetes management and increasing awareness of management strategies may improve sleep quality among patients with this disease.
Summary
Korean summary
혈당조절이 되지 않는 당뇨병이 수면 관련 문제의 발생 위험을 높이는 것은 기존 연구에서 알려져 있었으나, 당뇨관리 여부가 지역사회에 거주하는 당뇨환자들의 수면의 질에 미치는 영향은 충분히 탐구 되지 않았었다. 당뇨 관리 (연 2회 이상 당화혈색소 검사, 매년 당뇨합병증 검사, 당뇨관리교육 이수)에 순응하지 않는 당뇨환자들은 당뇨가 없는 일반인들에 비해 수면 문제를 호소할 가능성이 유의하게 높은 것이 확인되었다. 이는 당뇨 유병기간으로 층화분석하였을때도 일관되게 확인되었다.
Key Message
Uncontrolled diabetes is associated with increased risk of sleep-related problems, but the knowledge on the impact of poor diabetes management on the sleep quality of community dwelling patients with diabetes is limited. Diabetes patients who did not adhere to diabetes management (<2 hemoglobin A1c tests, did not take diabetes complication test, or received diabetes management education) were more significantly more likely to report overall poor sleep quality than those without diabetes. The above association remained significant when the patients were stratified by diabetes duration.

Citations

Citations to this article as recorded by  
  • Assessment of Sleep Quality and Its Determinants Among Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus in Mogadishu, Somalia: A Cross-Sectional Study
    Nur Mohamed, Rahma Haji Mohamud, Fadumo Hilowle, Tigad Ali, Yusuf Abdirisak Mohamed, Adan Gabow, Hawa Mohamed, Nor Sidow, Mohamed Sheikh Hassan, Mohamud Waberi
    Diabetes, Metabolic Syndrome and Obesity.2025; Volume 18: 1949.     CrossRef

JPMPH : Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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