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Prior literature has documented an association between cancer and depressive symptoms. There has been a limited understanding about whether the association between cancer and depressive symptoms varies by gender and whether social engagement moderates this association. Using seven waves of the Korean Longitudinal Study of Ageing (N = 10,055), we examine the association between cancer and depressive symptoms among middle- and older-aged adults in Korea. We conduct fixed-effects regression models to account for unobserved characteristics of individuals that may confound this association. We first investigate whether the association between cancer and depressive symptom differs by gender. We distinguish among cancer types to assess potentially distinctive mental health consequences of different types of cancer. Then, we explore whether social engagement moderates the cancer-depressive symptoms association. Naive OLS models yielded significant associations between cancer and depressive symptoms for both men and women. However, our preferred fixed effects estimates revealed that the association was statistically significant only for men, and not for women. This association was especially pronounced for lung cancer. We also found that one's level of social engagement including informal connections and formal social activities moderates the link between cancer and depressive symptoms. Cancer is not only a leading cause of death, but also a serious threat to one's mental health. This study sheds light on gender differences in psychological reactions to cancer among Korean adults. Findings of this study hold important implications for programs aiming to improve the mental health and quality of life of cancer patients.

Introduction: Despite increasing numbers of homeless people, less attention has been paid to their mental health, particularly associated with crime victimization. This study sought to examine the ...

Objectives Housing is one of the social determinants of health, and the evidence of its impact in this area has been increasingly expanded. However, in spite of its importance, there have been few studies to investigate an association between housing and health in Korea. Our study aimed to investigate housing tenure and affordability and their effects on health outcomes in Korea. Study design We selected 9456 participants from the 10–11th wave of the Korea Welfare Panel Study, after excluding missing variables. Housing tenure and affordability were chosen as independent variables, and depressive symptoms and self-rated health were selected as dependent variables. Methods Logistic regression was implemented to investigate the association between housing tenure/affordability and health outcome, and all covariates such as sex, age, and household income were adjusted. Results Compared with homeowners, renters are more likely to have depressive symptoms (odds ratio [OR]: 1.26, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.08, 1.47) and poor self-rated health (OR: 1.38, 95% CI: 1.19–1.61). Also, health effects of housing unaffordability were observed differently by tenure, showing that the likelihood of having depressive symptoms (OR: 1.56, 95% CI: 1.15, 2.13) and poor self-rated health (OR: 1.51, 95% CI: 1.10, 2.06) is significantly high among renters who reported unaffordability. Conclusion This study could provide evidence of housing as a determinant of health by showing that both housing tenure and affordability are significantly related to health outcomes.

Young adults are prone to psychological stress and anxiety induced by major transitions to adulthood. While employment has predominated in previous research on the social determinants of young people’s mental health, this study examines the association between young people’s housing problems and mental health in the context of an unaffordable housing market. Using the Survey on the Living Conditions and Welfare Needs of Youths (n = 1308) in Korea, the study found that perceived poor housing quality and material hardship are negatively associated with the mental health of young adults living independently. Specifically, while poor housing quality and material hardship induced by housing cost burden were negatively associated with single-person households’ mental health, only poor housing quality was associated with non-single-person households’ mental health. This study is one of the few studies examining the linkage between housing problems and mental health of young adults and informs the interventions aimed at promoting the psychological well-being of young adults in the transition from parents’ homes to independent living.

Objectives This study investigates longitudinal within-person associations between urinary incontinence (UI) and depressive symptoms among older women. Drawing on activity theory, this study also adds to limited knowledge about the mediating role of physical activity and social engagement in the association between UI and depressive symptoms. Methods Using 6 waves of a nationally representative longitudinal study of older adults in Korea between 2008 and 2018, this study examined the relationship between UI and depressive symptoms among women aged 70 and older. Fixed effects models were estimated to account for unobserved time-invariant confounding factors. Sobel mediation tests were conducted to formally test for mediation. Results Fixed effects estimates showed that, after adjusting for a wide array of time-varying covariates, having UI is positively associated with depressive symptoms among older women (b = 0.238, p < .05). Results revealed that individuals who begin to experience UI tend to have less frequent social interactions and participate in fewer social activities. UI, however, is only marginally associated with a decrease in physical activity. Reductions in physical activity, social connections, and social activities jointly explain about 22% of the association between UI and depressive symptoms, rendering it statistically insignificant. Discussion UI poses a threat to psychological well-being among older women. This is partly explained by a decrease in physical activity and disruption in social engagement. This study reaffirms the significance of the programs that promote physical and social activity among older adults.

Despite growing attention to housing as a social determinant of health, few studies have featured the interplay of its diverse impacts on health. Using the Korea Welfare Panel Study, this study used logistic regression analysis for examining how housing tenure and affordability are associated with depressive symptoms under different physical dwelling conditions among low-income households in Korea. In our findings, renters, compared with homeowners, were more likely to report depressive symptoms, and housing unaffordability was associated with a higher likelihood of having depressive symptoms. When dwelling conditions were considered, housing tenancy, compared with ownership, tended to be associated with depressive symptoms among adequate housing dwellers, whereas housing unaffordability was associated with depressive symptoms mainly among those living in substandard housing conditions. The findings suggest that the linkage of multiple housing problems to psychological well-being is dynamic. Public health policies and housing subsidy programs should, therefore, be designed based on a comprehensive account of not only tenure or income status, but also dwelling conditions.

Objectives Intimate partner violence (IPV) has only attracted limited attention in Korea despite numerous studies in Western countries that indicate IPV is associated with depressive symptoms. This study examined the association of IPV with depressive symptoms and suicidal ideation as moderated by the perceived gender roles of married women in South Korea. Study design We analyzed a data set of 4659 married females from the 8th wave of the Korea Welfare Panel Study. Participants were categorized into three groups of non-IPV, non-physical IPV, and physical IPV. The presence of depressive symptoms and suicidal ideation was then used to predict mental health outcomes. Methods Logistic regression helped to investigate the association of IPV and mental health. Furthermore, an interactive regression of IPV and perceived gender roles was also done. Results Each type of IPV (non-physical and physical) was significantly associated with depressive symptoms (Odds ratios [ORs]: 1.65 and 4.34; 95% confidence interval [CIs]: 1.28–2.13 and 2.71–7.28, respectively) and suicidal ideation (ORs: 1.40 and 3.84; 95% CIs: 1.06–1.85 and 2.32–6.36, respectively) after adjusting for covariates. In addition, women who experienced IPV and reported having traditional gender roles were also more likely to report depressive symptoms (OR: 4.59; 95% CI: 2.90–7.28) and suicidal ideation (OR: 7.28; 95% CI: 3.56–14.87). Conclusions Research findings indicate an increasingly marked pattern of work-family conflict in regard to the relationship between traditional gender roles and the effect of IPV on the mental health of women. Policy efforts are needed to reduce IPV as a mental health risk factor and address paternalistic traditions deeply rooted in Korean society that place women in an inferior family status.