Influence of Health-Related Status and Social Activities on Depressive Symptoms in Korean Older Adults Who Live Alone

The current study aimed to explore predictors of depressive symptoms in Korean older adults who live alone using data from the 2017 National Survey of Older Koreans. Participants were 2,258 adults (females, n = 1,838 [81.4%]; males, n = 420 [18.6%]) aged ≥65 years (mean = 75.9, SD = 6.8 years). Multiple hierarchical regression analysis indicated that perceived health status, instrumental activities of daily living (IADL), social gatherings, interaction frequency with children living separately, income quintile, religion, and education were significant predictors of depressive symptoms. In particular, perceived health status, IADL, and interaction frequency with children living separately were the most powerful predictors of depressive symptoms in older adults living alone. The result of the current study was to verify the relationship between social activity and depression of older adults who live alone. This study suggests that contact with children and social gatherings may help prevent depression in older adults who live alone. [ Journal of Psychosocial Nursing and Mental Health Services, 59 (2), 25–30.]