Title

Mental health literacy in korean older adults: A cross-sectional survey

Authors

·       Kim Y.S.^a,

·       Lee H.Y.^b,

·       Lee M.H.^b,

·       Simms T.^b,

·       Park B.H.^c

Author Affiliations

·       ^a Graduate School of East-West Medicine Science, Kyunghee University, Yongin-Si, Gyeonggi-Do, South Korea

·       ^b The School of Social Work, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, United States

·       ^c Department of Social Welfare, Pusan National University, Busan, South Korea

Publication Information

Blackwell Publishing Ltd

Date of Publication

September 2017

Series/Report no.

Journal of Psychiatric and Mental Health Nursing, Volume 24, Issue 7, Pages 523 - 533

Key words

Korea; Korean older adults; mental health; mental health literacy; social network; social support

Abstract

Introduction

Korea is experiencing rapid population ageing, spurring an increased need for mental health services for the elderly. Approximately one-third of Korean older adults experience depressive symptoms, and Korea has the highest elder suicide rate among 34 developed nations. Mental health literacy is an important component of promoting mental health, yet studies on the concept have been conducted in few countries.

Aim

This study examines the level of mental health literacy among Korean older adults and identifies factors associated with their mental health literacy.

Method

A cross-sectional survey was conducted with 596 community-dwelling Korean adults aged 65 and older. Andersen's Behavioral Model of Health Services Use framed the study.

Results

Overall, participants displayed low levels of mental health literacy. They had difficulty recognizing their mental health issues and had limited knowledge about self-help strategies. Mental health literacy was positively associated with education, social support, social network and health status.

Discussion and Implications

This study highlights a need for efforts to increase mental health literacy among Korean older adults. Strategies that have the potential to empower this population to proactively attend to their mental health include community-based education and national mental health campaigns.

주요 내용

한국의 노년 인구 수의 급격한 증가와 함께, 노년기 정신 건강 서비스대한 논의의 필요성이 제기되어 왔다. 통계에 따르면, 한국의 노인 세 명 중 한 명은 우울을 경험한 적이 있으며 한국의 노인 자살률은 34개 선진 국가들 중 가장 높은 수치를 기록하고 있다. Mental health literacy 개념은 정신 건강 증진에 있어 중요한 개념이지만, 여태껏 이에 대한 논의가 부족했던 실정이다. 본 연구는 한국 노인의 Mental health literacy에 대해 조사하고, 어떤 요인이 영향을 미치는 지 파악하고자 했다. 이를 위해 596명의 한국 지역 사회 거주 노인을 횡단 조사하였다. 그 결과, 전반적으로 노인들은 낮은 수준의 Mental health literacy를 보였다. 그들은 정신건강 이슈에 대해 스스로 인식하는 데 어려움을 겪었으며, 정신 건강 관련 교육 서비스에 제한이 있었다. 본 연구 결과는 지역 사회 기반의 정신 건강 교육 및 서비스, 그리고 캠페인의 제고 필요성을 제기한다.

ISSN

1365 2850

DOI

10.1111/jpm.12395