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The impact of living arrangements on quality of life among Korean elderly: findings from the Korean Longitudinal Study of Aging (2006–2012)

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Abstract

Purpose

To investigate the impact of different living arrangements on quality of life (QoL) and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in the elderly.

Methods

We used data from the first to fourth wave of the Korean Longitudinal Study of Aging. Using the first wave as a baseline, the data included 5050 individuals aged 60 years and older with at least one living child. QoL and HRQoL were measured using a visual analogue scale developed by the Korean Labor Institute that bears similarity to the EQ-VAS. Living arrangements were categorized based on household composition (single household, one-generation household, two-generation household, and three-generation household) and the marital status of a cohabiting adult child. A generalized estimating equation was used to examine the association between living arrangements and QoL/HRQoL.

Results

Compared to elderly individuals living in three-generation families with a married child, those in a single household (QoL: β = −2.67 [P = 0.001]; HRQoL: β = −2.24 [P = 0.007]), those living in a three-generation family with an unmarried adult child (QoL: β = −5.19 [P < 0.0001]; HRQoL: β = −3.41 [P < 0.0001]), and those living in a two-generation family with an unmarried adult child (QoL: β = −2.88 [P < 0.0001]; HRQoL: β = −2.80 [P < 0.0001]) were more likely to have lower QoL and HRQoL. These associations were particularly strong for women and individuals in the lowest equivalent household income group.

Conclusion

It is necessary to devise government programs not only for elderly individuals living alone, but also for those living with an unmarried adult child; elderly persons who are female and part of the lowest equivalent household income group must receive particular attention.

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Acknowledgements

The authors appreciate the administrative support provided by the Yonsei University Institute of Health Services Research.

Authors’ contributions

J.K. (first author), Y.C. (second author), and E.-C.P. (corresponding author) directly participated in the planning, execution, and analysis of the study. S.P. contributed to the revision of the article for solving statistical issues. K.H.C. and Y.J.J. provided assistance for the analysis of the study.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Public Health, Graduate School, Yonsei University, Seoul, Republic of Korea

    Juyeong Kim, Young Choi, Kyoung Hee Cho & Yeong Jun Ju

  2. Institute of Health Services Research, Yonsei University, Seoul, Republic of Korea

    Juyeong Kim, Young Choi, Sohee Park, Kyoung Hee Cho, Yeong Jun Ju & Eun-Cheol Park

  3. Department of Biostatistics, Graduate School of Public Health, Yonsei University, Seoul, Republic of Korea

    Sohee Park

  4. Department of Preventive Medicine, Institute of Health Services Research, Yonsei University College of Medicine, 50 Yonsei-ro, Seodaemun-gu, Seoul, 120-752, Republic of Korea

    Eun-Cheol Park

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  1. Juyeong Kim
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Correspondence to Eun-Cheol Park.

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Kim, J., Choi, Y., Park, S. et al. The impact of living arrangements on quality of life among Korean elderly: findings from the Korean Longitudinal Study of Aging (2006–2012). Qual Life Res 26, 1303–1314 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11136-016-1448-6

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