title: Effects of number and gender of offspring on quality of life among older adults: evidence from the Korean Longitudinal Study of Aging, 2006-2012.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  We examined correlations between number and gender of offspring and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) and quality of life (QoL) in older adults.
  
  
  METHODS
  We used data from the 2006-2012 data sets of the Korean Longitudinal Study of Aging.
  
  
  METHODS
  There were 10,242, 8680, 7907 and 7480 participants in 2006, 2008, 2010 and 2012, respectively.
  
  
  METHODS
  Number and gender of offspring.
  
  
  METHODS
  We measured participants' QoL and HRQoL using a visual analogue scale developed by the Korea Labour Institute and which is similar to the EQ-VAS, a European measure.
  
  
  RESULTS
  We estimated the HRQoL and QoL of individuals with offspring. Estimates for the HRQoL and QoL of parents with no offspring were -7.762 and -9.384, respectively (both p<0.0001) versus parents with two offspring. For parents with five or more offspring, the estimates for the HRQoL and QoL were -1.529 and 0.885, respectively (p<0.001 and p<0.017, respectively) compared with parents with two offspring. For fathers with no offspring compared with fathers with two offspring, the estimates for the HRQoL and QoL were -6.143 and -7.492, respectively (both p<0.0001).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These results suggest that number of offspring is associated with both HRQoL and QoL. Those with no offspring showed the lowest HRQoL and QoL. Although having five or more children had positive associations with QoL, it had negative associations with HRQoL. Public health services for those with poor quality of life should provide effective support programmes and services based on these findings.
authors.affiliation: Department of Public Health, Graduate School, Yonsei University, Seoul, Republic of Korea Institute of Health Services Research, Yonsei University, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Jae-Hyun
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.affiliation: Department of Public Health, Graduate School, Yonsei University, Seoul, Republic of Korea Institute of Health Services Research, Yonsei University, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Sang Gyu
authors.initials: SG
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.affiliation: Department of Public Health, Graduate School, Yonsei University, Seoul, Republic of Korea Institute of Health Services Research, Yonsei University, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Jaeyong
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Shin
authors.affiliation: Department of Public Health, Graduate School, Yonsei University, Seoul, Republic of Korea Institute of Health Services Research, Yonsei University, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Kyung-Hee
authors.initials: KH
authors.lastname: Cho
authors.affiliation: Department of Public Health, Graduate School, Yonsei University, Seoul, Republic of Korea Institute of Health Services Research, Yonsei University, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Jae-Woo
authors.initials: JW
authors.lastname: Choi
authors.affiliation: Institute of Health Services Research, Yonsei University, Seoul, Republic of Korea Department of Preventive Medicine, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Eun-Cheol
authors.initials: EC
authors.lastname: Park
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000375:Aging / Q000523:psychology*; D005191:Family Characteristics; D005260:Female; D006306:Health Surveys / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010290:Parents / Q000523:psychology*; D011788:Quality of Life / Q000523:psychology*; D056910:Republic of Korea; D017678:Sex Distribution; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
keywords: PUBLIC HEALTH; SOCIAL MEDICINE