Research Trends of Picture Books for Older Adults over 65 in South Korea

Abstract

The goal of this study is to analyze trends of picture book research for older adults over 65 during last 15 years (2005-2019) to foresee research direction in the future. Forty-three domestic studies using picture books for older adults over 65 were selected from RISS with four types of academic data including academic journal articles, masters’ and doctoral dissertations, books, and financially funded public research reports. Picture book research of older adults over 65 steadily increased with a sharp upward slope toward the 3rd term (2013-2015) reflecting the aging society of South. Korea. Research subjects were mostly focused on older adults as characters/real people in books, illiterate, and dementia as well. Psycho-emotional therapy, self-related ingredients such as self-growth, -integration, -identity, -esteem, -confidence, and young children’s understanding of older adults Diverse research methods were used with literature reviews the most. The research frequency of academic fields are in the order of, education (especially early childhood & special ED), counselling and psychotherapy, and social science. More research for older adults over 65 are needed to improve their better life and easier adaptation to aging Korea through publications, psycho-emotional support systems, and publicly financed network and research reports for practical advocacy.