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KMID : 0897520090140020057
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Journal of Korean Association of Social Psychiatry
2009 Volume.14 No. 2 p.57 ~ p.66
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Effect of Internet Use on the Quality of Life in Community Dwelling Korean Elders
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Cheon Jin-Sook
Byun In-Woo
Byun Hyun-Woo
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Abstract
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Objectives：The aims of this study were to reveal current status of internet use, to identify influencing factors on using internet, and to know association of quality of life with internet use among Korean elderly.
Methods：Social demographic data and information related to internet use were obtained using questionnaires for one hundred Korean elderly living in Seoul with age over 60. Patterns of internet use and the quality of life also measured using the Internet Addiction Scale(IAS) and the Geriatric Quality of Life-Dementia(GQOL-D).
Results：1) Among Korean elderly, 31% had been using internet, and 36% had personal computers. Main purpose of using internet was for emailing(67.7%), information surfing(54.8%) and enews(45.2%) in order. About 87.1% of old internet users experienced such physical symptoms as eye sign, fatigue, and hand or neck stiffness in order. Almost half of internet non-users recognized need of learning internet(56.5%) and wanted to learn internet(52.2%). 2) The mean(±SD) IAS score of elderly internet users was 22.58±10.62. They were in the range of score 2-47, all of whom were classified into non-internet addictors. 3) Internet use among Korean elderly was influenced on gender (p<0.05), age(p<0.01), educational level(p<0.001), economic status(p<0.001), having job(p<0.05), marital status(p<0.005) and having personal computer(p<0.001). 4) The mean(±SD) GQOL-D score of elderly internet users(38.26±7.17) was significantly(p<0.05) higher than those of elderly internet non-users(34.86±8.49). There was statistically significant positive correlation between IAS scores and GQOL-D scores (γ=0.428, p<0.05).
Conclusions：Nearly one third of Koren elderly had been using internet. Their internet use pattern seemed to be healthy. Using internet among Korean elderly might improve their quality of life.
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KEYWORD
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Korean elderly, Internet use status, Internet Addiction Scale, Quality of life
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