Association of Family Type with Happiness Attributes Among Older Adults

Abstract

Background: This study used secondary data from the 2017 Korean Community Health Survey to compare the associations between depressive symptoms, present health status, socio-physical environment, social support networks, and social activities with happiness among older adults from three different family types. Method: The study employed a non-experimental, cross-sectional research design. The data were analyzed using the chi-square test, one-way ANOVA, and Logistic regression. Results: Findings revealed a significant difference in the happiness index among older adults living alone (6.22±2.11), older adults living with their spouse (6.76±1.99), and older adults living with their family (6.46±1.94) (F = 88.69, p < .001). As the result of logistic regression, older adults living alone (odds ratio (OR) = 0.75, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.57–0.99) and those living with their family (OR = 0.80, 95% CI = 0.65–0.99) demonstrated greater happiness as the frequency of contact with their family increased. Older adults living with their spouse indicated an increase in happiness when their contact with friends was higher (OR = 0.69, 95% CI = 0.56–0.84). Conclusion: It was confirmed that factors influencing happiness differed according to older adults’ family type, thus suggesting that older adults’ happiness could be facilitated through interventions that consider their circumstances, including family type. Keywords: family type; happiness; older adult; social activities; socio-physical environment