도시와 농촌지역 거주 노인의 사회활동, 우울 및 건강관련 삶의 질 간의 관계: 2019년 지역사회건강조사 자료활용

Abstract

Purpose: This study aimed to investigate the association of social participation and depressive symptoms with health-related quality of life (HRQoL) among older adults living in urban and rural areas. Methods: This secondary, cross-sectional study was conducted with a total of 66,765 adults aged ≥65 years (urban-26,485 and rural-40,280) who participated in the household and individual surveys of the Korea Community Health Survey 2019. Data on the main study variables including social participation, depressive symptoms, and HRQoL were collected from August 16 to October 31, 2019. Multiple linear regression was used to identify the factors affecting HRQoL in urban and rural older adults. Results: The proportion of social participation (χ²=354.69, p<.001) and the level of HRQoL (χ²=12.06, p<.001) were significantly higher in older adults living in urban area than those in rural area. However, there was no significant difference in depressive symptoms between older adults living in urban and rural areas. Multiple linear regression analysis showed that social participation and depressive symptoms were significant predictors of HRQoL in both urban and rural older adults. Conclusion: Our main finding highlights that active participation in social activities and management of depressive symptoms in older adults regardless of living arrangements are crucial to improve HRQoL in later life. Interventions to increase social participation include early assessment of depressive symptoms in the community to promote HRQoL. More longitudinal studies are needed to identify the factors associated with HRQoL between older adults living in urban and rural areas while considering neighborhood environment and living arrangements.