title: A comparison of the factors influencing life satisfaction between Korean older people living with family and living alone.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  As the global population of older people continuously increases, many countries are beginning to experience health problems associated with older age. These countries may be interested in knowing and understanding the health problems experienced by the older Korean population, which is projected to age the most rapidly.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  This study aimed to compare and examine the factors that influence the life satisfaction between older people living with their family and those living alone.
  
  
  METHODS
  A cross-sectional survey was conducted. The participants comprised a total 300 older Koreans (150 living with their family, 150 living alone) aged 65 years or over who met the eligibility criteria. All measures were self-administered. Data were analysed using the SAS statistical software program version 6.12 (SAS Institute Inc., Cary, NC).
  
  
  RESULTS
  The older people living with their family were better than the older people living alone in perceived health status, self-esteem, depression and life satisfaction. Perceived health status, self-esteem, depression, age and monthly allowance were found to be the factors related to the life satisfaction of older people living with their family and those living alone. The factors that were found to have the greatest influence on the life satisfaction of older people living with their family and those living alone were depression and perceived health, respectively.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study may help healthcare providers to understand the factors that can influence the life satisfaction among older people living with their family and living alone in Korea.
authors.affiliation: College of Nursing Science, Kyung Hee University, Seoul, Korea.
authors.forename: S H
authors.initials: SH
authors.lastname: Shin
authors.forename: S R
authors.initials: SR
authors.lastname: Sok
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged / Q000523:psychology*; D044466:Asian People / Q000523:psychology; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003863:Depression; D005191:Family Characteristics / Q000208:ethnology; D006293:Health Promotion; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D010549:Personal Satisfaction; D056910:Republic of Korea; D012649:Self Concept