KIHASA has published the KCI-listed Health and Social Welfare Review, Vol. 45, No. 2. This issue features 30 peer-reviewed articles.

EDITORIAL: Can We Continuously Reduce Elderly Poverty? Lee, Wonjin, KIHASA

Article I: A Study on Multidimensional Predictors of Frailty in Community-Dwelling Older Adults: A Decision Tree-Based Approach Han, Sangyoon, Semyung University

This study aims to identify the key multidimensional predictors of frailty in community-dwelling older adults and propose strategies for frailty prevention and management at the community level. To achieve this, a decision tree analysis was conducted to explore the interactions among various frailty predictors based on a multidimensional frailty model and to identify key patterns that increase frailty risk. The study utilized data from the 2023 National Survey of Older Koreans, analyzing a total of 9,951 community-dwelling adults aged 65 and older. The results indicated that instrumental activities of daily living (IADL) were the most critical factor in distinguishing frailty status. Additionally, subjective health status, sleep quality, educational attainment, and nutritional status were identified as significant predictors of frailty among community-dwelling older adults. Based on these findings, this study proposes specific measures for frailty prevention in healthy older adults and early detection and intervention for pre-frail individuals. Furthermore, the findings can serve as foundational data for the development of a community-based integrated care system.

Article II: Does the Relationship between Single-Person Household Status and Depression Vary Depnding on Age?: The Role of Income, Social Relationships, and Family Relationships Kim, Jin-Young, Korea University

Previous studies have reported that single-person households tend to have higher levels of depression compared to multi-person households, and that this relationship may vary with age. This study has two main objectives. First, it aims to examine whether age moderates the relationship between single-person household status and depression among Korean adults. Second, if a moderating effect is identified, the study seeks to explain this effect through three factors: equivalized household income, satisfaction with social relationships, and satisfaction with family relationships. To achieve this, data from the 18th wave (2023) of the Korean Welfare Panel Study, a nationally representative survey, were analyzed. A multiple regression analysis was conducted using data from 14,047 adults. The main findings of the study are as follows. First, single-person households were found to have lower income levels and higher depression levels compared to multi-person households. Second, the depression gap tended to increase with age, particularly in older adults. This pattern can be explained by three mechanisms: (1) the influence of income on depression became stronger with age, and (2) satisfaction with family relationships and social relationships decreased more significantly with age among single-person households. The theoretical contribution of this study lies in identifying the heterogeneity of single-person households by age and elucidating the mechanisms through which disadvantages in depression increase with age. The policy contribution is that it highlights the need for social interventions to secure income and strengthen social relationships among elderly single-person households in order to reduce their depression levels.

Article III: "A Qualitative Case Study on the Cross-Addiction Experiences of Alcoholics Yoon, Jiyoung & Chun, JongSerl, Ewha Womans University

This study aims to explore the lived experiences of alcoholics with cross-addiction amidst socio-environmental changes, such as the diversification of addiction subjects and improved accessibility. The goal is to enhance the understanding of cross-addiction and propose strategies for its improvement. To achieve this, in-depth interviews were conducted with six participants who had experienced cross-addiction. These participants were users of alcohol rehabilitation services and self-help groups in the Seoul, Incheon, and Gyeonggi regions. The collected data were analyzed using a qualitative case study approach with thematic analysis. The results revealed three overarching themes: "Triggers of Cross-Addiction," "The Journey from Nicotine Cross-Addiction to Recovery," and "The Expansion and Circulation of Multi-Cross-Addiction," along with nine subthemes and 24 meaning units. Based on these findings, the study provides a deeper understanding of alcoholics with cross-addiction. It also proposes practical and policy recommendations, including active interventions and support for smoking cessation, enhanced assessments of other addictions, mental illnesses, and family history, monitoring of addictive substitute behaviors during case management, and strengthened education for addiction and mental health professionals.

Article IV: Resident-Led Integrated Health and Welfare Case Management in Depopulated Areas: A Case Series Study Choi, Jihee, Chung-Ang UUniversity, et al.

This study aims to explore the potential role of community members in integrated care for older adults through an action research approach. The research was conducted in Jeongeup City, Jeollabuk-do, one of the depopulated cities in South Korea. Sixteen community volunteers were selected as "Village Care Managers" and assigned to various towns and villages. Their activities included identifying health and welfare needs of older adults, coordinating AI-based care calls and follow-up actions, organizing health promotion programs, and linking community resources. Three joint case conferences with local health and welfare organizations were held during the intervention, and the analysis focused on three cases where resource linkage was attempted. The findings revealed that resident-led case management effectively addressed care needs by strengthening social networks and communication among community members, while also improving proximity and continuity of care. These outcomes were comparable in both quantity and quality to expert-led case management. Furthermore, trust restoration among neighbors and the initiation of voluntary mutual care were notable achievements. However, challenges included limited access to health-related services, a lack of information on welfare resources, and the passive involvement of local resources in addressing complex needs, which hindered the overall effectiveness of the intervention. This study highlights the potential for community members to lead integrated care and emphasizes the need for ongoing support and research.

Article V: The Influence of Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity on Career Immaturity among Adolescents: Focusing on the Moderated Mediating Effect of Anxiety by Household Economic Status Lee, RaeHyuck, Soonchunhyang University & Lee, Jae-Kyoung, Gyeongbuk National University

The purpose of this study is to verify the influence of Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity (ADH) on career immaturity among adolescents, the mediating effect of anxiety, and the moderated mediating effect of anxiety by household economic status. This study conducted regression analyses using raw data from the Korean Teenagers’ Mental Health Study and the PROCESS Macro method. First, the results showed that adolescents’ ADH positively and significantly influenced career immaturity. Second, anxiety had a partial mediating effect, such that the level of ADH increased anxiety, which, in turn, increased career immaturity. Third, the mediating effect of anxiety was moderated by household economic status: the mediating effect of ADH on career immaturity through anxiety was more pronounced for those of low household economic status than for those of medium and high household economic status. Based on the analyzed results of this study, we discuss strategies for promoting career maturity among adolescents through dealing with their ADH.

Article VI: The Structure of the Sense of Isolation among Deinstitutionalized Disabled People Jeon, Geun Bae, Daegu Saram Center for Independent Living for Persons with Disabilities & Jo, Han-jin, Daegu University

This study examined a sense of isolation, which was reported to be the main difficulty that deinstitutionalized disabled people experienced in the community after leaving institutions, based on Bourdieu's capital theory, and established key variables―such as health status, institutionalization experience, perception of support systems, and social capital―and verified their structural relationships. The data were collected from June 1 to September 10, 2023, through a one-on-one, face-to-face survey conducted by trained interviewers. A total of 365 deinstitutionalized disabled people aged 18 and older participated in the survey. Our analysis used data from 310 people, excluding outliers, missing values, and insincere responses. The explanatory power of the final research model was 55.9% for perception of supp ort systems, 90.7% for social capital, and 46.8% for isolation. Out of 17 hypotheses tested, 11 were supported. The analysis revealed that the health status of deinstitutionalized disabled people had a significant direct effect on perception of support systems, social capital, and isolation. Past experience of living in an institutional setting was found to have a significant direct effect on perception of supp ort systems and social capital. In addition, perception of support systems had a significant direct effect on social capital and isolation. Health status and the experience of institutionalized living were found to significantly mediate the effects on social capital and isolation. Ultimately, this study challenges the common belief that people with disabilities experience loneliness simply because they have left institutions, and reveals a structural pathway through which the experience of institutionalized living diminishes perception of national systems, which in turn deepens a sense of isolation.

Article VII: Changes in Depressive Symptoms during the Covid-19 Pandemic by Employment Status Park, Juhyun, KIHASA, et al.

The COVID-19 pandemic significantly impacted the mental health of the population due to preventive measures against the virus’ spread and subsequent changes in the economic environment. Notably, the relationship between mental health and employment status was expected to vary. This study aimed to comprehensively analyze depression levels by employment status during the COVID-19 pandemic. The research utilized data from the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES) and analyzed individuals aged 19 to 64 from the years 2018, 2020, and 2022. The dependent variable was the prevalence of depressive disorders measured using the PHQ-9 scale, while the main independent variable was employment status, categorized into wage workers, self-employed individuals, and economically inactive populations. Logistic regression analysis was conducted to examine the associations. The analysis revealed that the prevalence of depressive disorders among the entire study population increased in 2020, the early phase of the pandemic, compared to 2018, but showed a declining trend in 2022. The prevalence was highest among the economically inactive population. In most models, wage workers and self-employed individuals had lower probabilities of depressive disorders compared to the economically inactive population in 2018 and 2020, while no significant differences were observed across employment statuses in 2022. These findings suggest that the COVID-19 pandemic had varying impacts on depression levels depending on employment status, with the economically inactive population emerging as a particularly vulnerable group in terms of mental health. This underscores the need for targeted support policies for such groups during national crises like the COVID-19 pandemic. The results provide foundational data for managing mental health in disaster scenarios.

Article VIII: The Impact of Longest-Held Job in Lifetime on Job Satisfaction among Employed Older Adults: Comparing Occupation Chang, Sung Hyun, Seoul National University

This study examined the impact of the longest-held job on job satisfaction among employed elderly individuals, comparing different occupations. Data from the 2023 National Survey of Older Koreans were analyzed using propensity score matching and multiple regression methods. The results of the analysis are as follows. First, job satisfaction was significantly higher for employed seniors who remained in their longest-held job compared to those who did not. Second, elderly workers in professional, managerial, administrative, and service/sales occupations experienced a significant increase in job satisfaction when they continued working in their longest-held job. On the other hand, for those employed in agriculture, forestry, fishery, craft/equipment operation, and elementary occupations, no significant relationship was found between continued engagement in the longest-held job and job satisfaction. These findings suggest the need to develop suitable employ ment opportunities and labor policies for the elderly, leveraging their lifetime work experience.

Article IX: Gender Wage Gap, Employment Dynamics, and Fertility Koo, Namkyu, Sungkyunkwan University

The gender wage gap has narrowed in recent years, particularly among younger cohorts, coinciding with a decline in fertility rates. This study examines the impact of the decreasing gender wage gap in the labor market on fertility rates over the same period. Using panel data constructed at the county level from 2013 to 2023, a two-way fixed effects model was employed to account for unobserved heterogeneity in individual and temporal characteristics. The analysis reveals that a 10-percentage-point increase in women’s wages relative to men’s in the 25？39 age group is associated with a reduction of approximately 1.17 births per 1,000 women, indicating a negative effect on fertility. However, when incorporating the interaction effect with the gender employment rate gap, a significant positive interaction effect emerges. Simulation of the marginal effects based on the gender employment rate ratio demonstrates that when the employment rate ratio is 60%, a 10-percentage-point increase in women’s wages relative to men’s reduces the number of births per 1,000 women by approximately 4.57. Conversely, when the employment rate ratio reaches 90%, the number of births per 1,000 women increases by approximately 3.83. These findings suggest the presence of a substitution effect, wherein higher wages for women increase the opportunity cost of childbearing, thereby reducing fertility. At the same time, when the likelihood of women exiting the labor force due to childbirth is sufficiently low, higher wages may generate an income effect that positively influences fertility by enhancing household income.

Article X: Hierarchy of Impairement and Labor Market Vulnerability in Disability Employment Policy Kang, Euiyoung, Sogang University

This study analyzes the impact of the Double Count Policy for Severely Disabled Workers, introduced in South Korea. Using the first wave of the Panel Survey of Employment for the Disabled, we employed propensity score matching, difference-in-differences (DID), and triple differences (DDD) methods to examine the policy’s effects. Our findings demonstrate that while the policy increased overall employment among severely disabled workers, it unexpectedly decreased their likelihood of securing permanent employment and failed to generate significant improvements in wages and occupational status. In our analysis by disability type, severely disabled workers with sensory impairments and internal disabilities showed lower employment outcomes compared to those with external physical disabilities, while workers with mental disabilities consistently demonstrated the lowest performance across all indicators. These results suggest that although the policy contributed to quantitative employment growth for severely disabled workers, it improved neither employment stability nor job quality to any significant extent. Furthermore, the policy's varying impact across disability types indicates that it has inadvertently reproduced existing hierarchies of impairment in the labor market. This study makes a significant contribution by examining the policy's effects using individual-level data and causal inference methods, revealing its limitations in addressing labor market vulnerabilities and suggesting additional policy measures.

Article XI: Effects of Working Hours Distribution on Fertility: A Pooled Time-Series Analysis of 19 OECD Countries Nahm, Jaewook, Korea National University of Education

This study conducted a pooled time-series analysis using data from 19 OECD countries from 2000 to 2018 to comprehensively explore the effect of working hours on fertility. Building on the understanding of the relationship between working hours and fertility that has been established by previous studies, we analyzed how the distribution and the duration of working hours affect fertility, with particular attention to differences between women and men. The main results of the analysis are as follows. First, with other factors controlled for, total working hours have a negative effect on fertility. Second, the proportion of workers who work less than 40 hours per week has a greater effect on reducing the birth rate than total working hours alone. However, an increase in ultra-short-hour work (fewer than 20 hours per week) has no significant effect on the birth rate. Third, the distribution of working hours for both women and men has a similar effect on the fertility rate. Fourth, the distribution of working hours at the intermediate level (20 to 40 hours per week) fully mediates the effect of working hours on fertility. These results indicate that, in terms of the effect on fertility, policies on working hours should prioritize reducing overall working hours for all workers rather than simply increasing the number of part-time jobs or offering targeted time-support measures for women. This suggests that the current trend in South Korea's labor market policy, which continues to favors long working hours and supports a flexible application of the the existing 40-hour workweek with a 52-hour cap, may negatively affect fertility.

Article XII: The Impact of Perceived Social Conflict on Depression among Young Adults: Focusing on the Mediating Role of Social Trust  Park, Chaerim, Sungkyunkwan University

This study aims to empirically analyze the impact of perceived social conflict on depression among young adults and the mediating role of social trust. Using data from the 2022 "Survey on the Lives of Young Adults" conducted by the Korea Institute for Health and Social Affairs (KIHASA), a sample of 14,931 young adults was analyzed. Several key findings emerged. First, the level of depression increases with the level of perceived social conflict. Second, higher levels of perceived social conflict are associated with lower levels of social trust. Third, social trust mediates the relationship between perceived social conflict and depression. This indicates that as the level of perceived social conflict rises, social trust decreases, which in turn exacerbates depression. Based on these results, this study recommends that the government and local authorities implement policies to alleviate social conflict and enhance social trust in order to protect the mental health of young adults. Specifically, creating spaces for communication, providing opportunities for participation in various social organizations, and ensuring employment stability for young adults are crucial. This study is significant in that it empirically explores the impact of perceived social on young adults’ mental health within the unique context of Korean society and offers policy recommendations to promote their well-being and social integration.

Article XIII: A Comparative Analysis of Home Care Systems in South Korea, the United States, Australia, and Japan  Han, Da Jeong & Kim, So Yoon, Yonsei University

This study examines whether older adults' self-determination right is respected in their use of care services. It aims to identify issues in the Home Care System of Long-Term Care Insurance, suggest improvements, and guide future policies. Using Gilbert & Terrell’s framework, we compared home care systems in South Korea, the United States, Australia, and Japan. The comparative analysis showed that, unlike in other countries, older adults in South Korea's Home Care System had difficulty participating in service delivery and making meaningful choices. Moreover, the system lacked adequate support for those with limited decision-making capacity to make informed choices. In contrast, the United States, Australia, and Japan have systems that empower older adults to participate actively in service delivery and make their own choices. Additionally, the United States and Australia have widely implemented decision-making support systems. Furthermore, these countries have made efforts to respect older adults’ right to self-determination in the service delivery process by implementing self-directed care programs. These findings highlight the need for stronger mechanisms to empower older adults in service delivery and decision-making within the Home Care System of Long-Term Care Insurance. Policies should also strengthen mechanisms for older adults to exercise their right to self-determination in home care services and promote decision-making support in care settings.

Article XIV: Intercity Migration and Marriage Behavior among Young Adults Kim, Gahyun, Cheongju Welfare Foundation

The trend of young people moving from non-metropolitan areas to the capital region has become increasingly prominent. Comparing intercity movement patterns and projecting future trends is crucial for assessing the current state of non-capital provinces and shaping future policy directions. Therefore, this study examined movement patterns and marriage behavior among young adults in Cheongju, Cheonan, and Jeonju. Using data from the Population and Housing Census, this study focused on individuals aged 19 to 34. A total of 7,891 complete cases without missing values were analyzed. The main findings are as follows. First, while Cheongju and Jeonju showed similar patterns of regional movement with a relatively higher proportion of continuing residents, Cheonan had a higher rate of inflow from other cities and provinces. Second, the likelihood of marriage was higher for women than for men and increased with age. Regional movement patterns were also a significant factor. In all three cities―Cheongju, Cheonan, and Jeonju ―recent in-movers were relatively more likely to marry than long-term residents. Based on these findings, this study suggests job support measures and marriage promotion policies to help increase the settlement rates of young people moving into non-capital provinces. Additional policy implications include the need to build infrastructure that support young adults who have resided in these areas for extended periods.

Article XV: Experiences of Elder Abuse and Analysis of Age, Period, and Cohort Effects Kim, Jungsook & Lee, Mijun, Konkuk University

This study analyzed trends in the prevalence of elder abuse and tested for age, period, and cohort effects. Using data from four waves of the National Survey of the Elderly (2011, 2014, 2017, and 2020), descriptive statistics were employed to examine the prevalence of abuse victimization by year and perpetrators by type of abuse. An APC analysis was conducted to test for age, period, and cohort effects. The results showed that the prevalence of elder abuse decreased over time: 12.7% in 2011, 9.9% in 2014, 9.8% in 2017, and 7.2% in 2020. Physical abuse was the only type of abuse that showed a significant increase, with abuse by friends and neighbors increasing about 3.7 times between 2011 and 2020. Only the period effect was significant in the APC analysis, with significantly lower rates of abuse victimization in 2014, 2017, and 2020 compared to 2011. These findings suggest that effective policies are needed to prevent elder abuse, particularly physical abuse. Preventive measures should take into account the nature of abuse perpetrated by friends and neighbors as well as family members. The findings also highlight the need to expand infrastructure and strengthen policy interventions for the prevention of elder abuse.

Article XVI: Multisectoral Collaboration for Integrating Health and Social Services: Insights from Neighborhood-Level Health Promotion  Heo, Hyun-Hee, Korea University, et al.

This study explored the current status, barriers, and strategies for enhancing the integration of health and social services within neighborhood-level health promotion programs. In-depth interviews were conducted with ten key stakeholders who had experience with local health and social welfare initiatives. Thematic analysis was applied to the transcribed data, using the “Conceptual Framework for Integrated Care” proposed by Valentijn and colleagues to support a structural understanding of service integration. The findings revealed that integration within health promotion programs operates as a multidimensional structure across micro (practice), meso (organizational), and macro (systemic) levels, with each level encompassing both facilitating and hindering factors. At the micro level, excessive workloads and the deprioritization of collaboration emerged as key barriers, indicating a need for education and training to strengthen cross-sectoral collaboration capacities. At the meso level, unclear professional roles and the tokenistic operation of the coalition were major challenges, requiring the mitigation of hierarchical and cultural divides between professionals and the activation of community participation in governance. At the macro level, insufficient linkage between health and social welfare policies and the absence of operational guidelines were critical obstacles, underscoring the importance of sustained policy support and the establishment of institutional foundations. To effectively integrate health and social services in health promotion programs, it is essential to promote community engagement, strengthen neighborhood-level health functions, and adopt a population-based approach. Multisectoral collaboration is necessary to address the structural challenges of integration.

Article XVII: The Relationship Between Accessibility to Maternal and Child Health Centers and Maternal and Child Health Indicators: Focusing on Maternal and Child Health Care Service Areas Shin, Hansu, National Medical Center

Various government policies are being implemented to address the issues of low birth rates and an aging population. However, the infrastructure for childbirth is deteriorating due to a decline in delivery medical institutions and a shortage of medical personnel. This problem is particularly acute in rural areas, where the gap in medical accessibility is widening, making the establishment of infrastructure based on medical service zones an urgent matter. This study analyzes the accessibility of healthcare for pregnant women and newborns by establishing maternal and child healthcare service areas and proposes ways to improve delivery infrastructure based on this analysis. The service areas were identified using a modified Dartmouth Atlas methodology based on Hierarchical Clustering. A total of 31 service areas were identified. Additionally, maternal and child health indicators by service area were analyzed, and the correlation with the travel distance to maternal healthcare centers was examined. The results showed that in areas where the travel distance was above-average, both the maternal and child health indicators had higher mortality rates. However, t-test and Pearson correlation analyses revealed no statistically significant correlations , except in the case of maternal mortality rates. This study confirms the need to address regional disparities in medical accessibility and to strengthen delivery infrastructure. The findings can serve as important foundational data for future maternal and child healthcare policy development.

Article XVIII: The Influence of Perceptions of Regional Transportation and Healthcare Environments on Unmet Healthcare Needs: A Multi-Level Analysis by Fiscal Independence Levels Min, Dong-hoo & Lee, Hye-jae, Korea National Open University

The purpose of this study is to determine the effect of regional environmental perceptions (specifically, satisfaction with transportation and healthcare environments) on an individual's experience with unmet healthcare needs, and to examine whether healthcare accessibility, measured by distance, moderates this effect based on the level of local financial independence. We used data from the Korea Community Health Survey and National Geographic Indicators for our analysis, which involved a multi-level logistic regression of 225,501 adults aged 19 and older residing in 249 si-gun-gu districts. The analysis revealed that positive perception of the local transportation and healthcare environment significantly reduced the probability of experiencing unmet healthcare needs, compared to a negative perception. In addition, subgroup analysis based on financial independence levels found that the probability of experiencing unmet healthcare was significantly lower in all subgroups where participants had a positive perception of the local transportation and healthcare environments. Interaction analysis showed no significant interactions in regions with low fiscal independence. However, in regions with medium fiscal independence, a significant interaction was found between general hospital accessibility and perceptions of the transportation environment. In regions with high fiscal independence, a significant interaction was observed between general hospital accessibility and perceptions of the healthcare environment. This study contributes to the existing literature by empirically analyzing the effects of perceived environments, which have been relatively less discussed compared to objective environments, on unmet healthcare needs on a national scale.

Article XIX: Local Community Experience and Well-Being of Urban Single-Person Households: A Qualitative Multicase Study Yoo, Seunghyun, Seoul National University

This qualitative multi-case study explores the meaning of local community for single-person households in Korea's large cities at a time when the importance of community has been reaffirmed. It also analyzes the relevance of community activity experiences to well-being. From December 2023 to February 2024, a total of 14 participants from four communities in Seoul and Gyeonggi-do took part in the study. Case descriptions and cross-case synthesis were conducted on the data. The communities' activities focused on self-sufficiency and housing improvement, elderly care, activist training, social support among neighbors, talent exchange, and alternative family communities. Community experiences of belonging, growth, support, local attachment, good neighbors, and intention to stay played a role in promoting well-being. While some communities chose co-ops as a means of sustaining their activities, others remained unregistered. The latter were ‘loose’ communities, unbound by formality and performance orientation. An online activity-based community was also characterized by looseness, allowing members to come and go, take on flexible roles, and foster warm relationships without crossing boundaries. Leaders' networking skills, access to space, and public support emerged as common factors in community activities. However, public policies fail to reflect loose communities, those that cross administrative boundaries, and individuals who live effectively alone. There is a need for research and practice that reflect the realities of single-person households and the evolving nature of community in contemporary society, in order to better promote and support community life.

Article XX: Effectiveness of the Pilot Project for Home-Based Care for Tuberculosis Patients Shin, Donggyo, National Health Insurance Service Ilsan Hospital, et al.

Since October 2021, Korea has implemented a pilot project for home-based care targeting tuberculosis (TB) patients. The project aims to enhance cure rates by offering systematic education, counseling, and patient management services tailored to the diverse medical needs of TB patients. This study evaluated the effectiveness of the pilot project by analyzing health insurance claims data from the Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service. To compare medical utilization, healthcare costs, and mortality rates between participants and non-participants in the pilot project, chi-square tests, t-tests, multiple regression, and multiple logistic regression analyses were conducted. The results showed that patients who participated in the home-based care program had lower average numbers of outpatient visits, shorter hospital stays, reduced emergency service use, and lower associated medical costs compared to non-participants. In addition, the mortality rate among participants was significantly lower. These findings suggest that home-based care for TB patients can help prevent disease progression and reduce long-term hospitalization, ultimately improving patients’ quality of life and treatment outcomes by delivering consistent medical management outside traditional healthcare institutions.

Article XXI: The Validation of the Korean Dementia Public Stigma Scale (K-DPSS) Choi, Sun & Park, Jeongsoo, Ajou University

This study aimed to validate the Korean version of the Dementia Public Stigma Scale (K-DPSS), based on the social cognitive model, to systematically assess public stigma toward dementia among the general population. A total of 1,000 adults aged 20-69 completed an online survey. Participants were randomly divided into two groups (n=300; n=700) for exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses. Results supported a four-factor structure comprising 11 items: discomfort/fear, incapability/loss, dehumanization, and burden. Behavioral stigma factor "exclusion", included in the original scale, was not retained in the Korean version. The K-DPSS demonstrated convergent validity through significant correlations with dementia attitudes, fear of dementia, ageism, and anxiety about aging. Demographic analyses revealed that women, individuals aged 40-60, and married respondents showed significantly higher scores on the burden subscale. These findings suggest that the stigma-related cognitive, emotional, and behavioral responses differ across demographic groups. The omission of the exclusion factor may reflect social desirability bias and a cultural tendency to suppress negative expressions. The K-DPSS is expected to serve as a validated instrument for evaluating psychosocial interventions aimed at promoting dementia awareness, informing caregiver support policies, and fostering dementia-friendly environments.

Article XXII: Musculoskeletal Discharge Coordination Service: User and Provider Experience Kwag, Eunyoung, Seoul Metropolitan Seonam Hospital, et al.

This study is a qualitative examination of the ‘Experiences of Users and Providers of Musculoskeletal Discharge Linkage Service’, a project initiated by the Ministry of Health and Welfare to establish a public health and medical cooperation system. Data were collected through in-depth interviews with both users and providers of the musculoskeletal discharge linkage service at Seonam Hospital in Seoul, conducted from September 23 to October 14, 2024. From the experiences of the users, 11 subcategories and 3 categories were derived: ‘Factors hindering the use of discharge linkage service’, ‘Satisfactory discharge linkage service’, and ‘Most necessary resources for discharge to home.’ From the experiences of the providers, 10 subcategories and 3 categories were derived: ‘Factors hindering return to the community after discharge’, ‘Factors for success in discharge linkage service’, and ‘Support system for successful return to the community.’ This study is significant in that it comprehensively analyzes the experiences of discharge linkage services, incorporating the multifaceted perspectives of both users and providers. Notably, it highlights the differences in perception between users and providers on topics such as the need for discharge-linked services, the importance of early intervention during hospitalization, the need for standardized practices for multidisciplinary cooperation, and strategies for enhan cing self-management capabilities. These findings underscore the importance of continuous health management through linkages between hospitals and local communities. The results can therefore serve as foundational data for improving the operation of discharge-linked services and for establishing business models for responsible medical institutions nationwide.

Article XXIII: Relationship between Inadequate Residential Environment Factors and Energy Poverty among Energy Voucher Users: Panel Logit Analysis Lee, Joungmin, University of Nevade, Reno & Kim, Jinseok, Seoul Women's University

This study aimed to examine the relationship between inadequate residential environment factors and energy poverty among energy voucher users by analyzing data from the 13th (2017) to the 17th (2021) waves of the Korean Welfare Panel Study. A panel logit random effects model was applied to 1,127 households with experience using energy vouchers. The study employed energy poverty as the dependent variable and considered vulnerable housing factorssuch as housing type, heating type, and physical housing environment―as independent variables. Control variables included income, residential area, household size, occupancy type, and region. The analysis revealed that energy voucher users residing in housing with poor energy efficiency were more likely to experience energy poverty compared to those in better residential conditions. Based on these findings, the study suggests that energy welfare policies should extend beyond financial support for energy costs to include measures that enhance the energy efficiency of housing environments.

Article XXIV: A Study on the Prevalence of Young Adult Caregivers and Their Unmet Healthcare Needs: Using Data from the 2022 Youth Life Survey Yang, Hyun, Yonsei University, et al.

This study aims to examine the prevalence of young adult caregivers in South Korea and explore the relationship between caregiving status and unmet healthcare needs. Using data from the 2022 Youth Life Survey, we analyzed responses from 14,966 young adults aged 19 to 34. Caregiving status was defined as the independent variable, and the experience of unmet healthcare needs as the dependent variable. Logistic regression was conducted to analyze the association between caregiving status and unmet healthcare needs across multiple models: unadjusted, adjusted, population-weighted, propensity score matching. Among all participants, 82 individuals were identified as young adult caregivers. Across all models, caregiving status was significantly associated with unmet healthcare needs, with odds ratios[OR] of 5.0, 2.4, 3.7, 2.4, 2.0, and 2.9, respectively(p<.05). These findings highlight a meaningful association between caregiving status and unmet healthcare needs among Korean youth. The results suggest the need for systematic policy efforts to improve healthcare access for young adult caregivers and to mitigate unmet needs. Future research should incorporate detailed characteristics of caregiving roles and investigate potential causal pathways.

Article XXV: Drug Addiction as Attachment Trauma and Family as a Recovery Resource: Focusing on <Beautiful Boy> Cho, Hanna & Cho, Soo min, The Catholic University of Korea

This study analyzes the process by which attachment trauma experienced during childhood leads to drug addiction, using the true story portrayed in Beautiful Boy. It explores the physical, psychological, and relational challenges faced by drug addicts and their families, as well as the co-dependent dynamics that arise within families affected by addiction. The narrative of Beautiful Boy is analyzed using a qualitative research approach, examining the experiences of both the protagonist, the drug addict, and the addicted family. The process from attachment trauma to addiction recovery is conceptualized as a spiral structure. At the individual level, six key themes were identified: “Attachment Disruption in Childhood,” “Addiction and Intense Drug Dependency,” “Loss of Control Over Drug Use,” and “Reaching Rock Bottom and the Emergence of a Recovery Will.” At the family level, two additional themes were identified: “Codependency within the Addicted Family System” and “Re-establishment of Family Boundaries.” The study contributes to the understanding of drug addiction and emphasizes the importance of family resources in the recovery process, re-examining the role of the family in addiction recovery.

Article XXVI: A Systematic Literature Review on Factors Related to Medication Adherence in Hypertensive Patients HByun, Joonsoo, Institute of Health & Environment, Seoul National University & Ko, Tae-Joon, Seoul National University

This paper presents a systematic literature review on factors influencing medic ation adherence in patients with hypertension. It categorizes these factors into five groups―patient factors, condition factors, therapy factors, socioeconomic factors, and health system factors―based on the WHO multidimensional adherence model. The review included studies retrieved from RISS, KISS, DBpia, and PubMed, and the search, conducted in April 2024, was restricted to papers published after 2010. The key search terms included ‘hypertension’, ‘medication’, and ‘adherence’. Following quality assessment, 22 papers were selected for review. Most of these studies used logistic regression analysis to explore the relevant factors. Common factors influencing medication adherence identified in the selected studies included: old age, health behavior, and self-effic acy (patient factors); comorbidities (condition factors); drug satisfaction (therapy factors); medication cost burden and city residency (socioeconomic factors); chronic disease management programs and patient-provider communication (health system factors). Notably, health system factors were shown to enhance medication adherence by reinforcing patients' health beliefs about the factors mentioned above through consistent instructions and education. Based on these findings, this study suggests that improving medication adherence in patients with hypertension requires strengthening patients’ beliefs about medication adherence and enhancing existing disease management programs.

Article XXVII: Reconsidering the Boundaries of Disability Categories in South Korea: The Inclusion of Chronic Illness Mun, Yeongmin, Chung-Ang University

The current Korean Act on Welfare of Persons with Disabilities strictly defines disability based on specific types of physical and mental impairments, which results in the exclusion of individuals with certain chronic illnesses from the disability category. This study examines the legal and institutional issues surrounding the expansion of disability categories and reviews major international cases to propose directions for improving Korea’s disability welfare system. The findings indicate that countries such as the United Kingdom, Germany, and Japan define disability based on functional limitations and difficulties in social participation, and they have established legal grounds for including certain chronic illnesses within the scope of disability. An analysis of domestic court rulings on disability recognition reveals that the expansion of disability categories has primarily been driven by individual legal disputes. Since the 2010s, Korean courts have increasingly interpreted the list of qualifying conditions under the Act as an illustrative guideline rather than an exhaustive enumeration, signaling a shift toward assessing disability in the context of social and environmental interactions. This study also argues that social consensus and institutional coordination are necessary to address the potential financial and administrative burdens caused by an increase in welfare recipients, and that gradual expansion of disability categories and flexible policy implementation are required to ensure the sustainability of the system.

Article XXVIII: Perceived Social Insecurity Across Support System Types: Comparing Young, Middle-Aged, and Elderly Adults Byun, Geumsun, The Seoul Institute

This study employs data from the Survey on the Experience and Perception of Social Issues in Korea to classify support systems―encompassing both public and private sources―into four distinct types. It then examines how these support system typologies are associated with individuals' perceptions of social insecurity. The findings indicate that individuals in lower-income groups experience significantly higher levels of deprivation in health and education compared to their higher-income counterparts. Furthermore, the distribution of support system types varies systematically by income level. Lower-income individuals are more likely to perceive society as insecure, and 12.7% of them fall into Type 1―characterized by a lack of both public and private support― compared to 7.9% in the higher-income group. Type 4, which denotes access to both public and private support, is most prevalent among the elderly (62.0%) and least among the late middle-aged (16.4%). The youth exhibit the second-highest proportion in this category after the elderly. Among younger individuals, those with lower incomes are more likely to perceive heightened social insecurity, and this perception is further shaped by the type of support system to which they belong. In contrast, the elderly demonstrate a somewhat different pattern: public support systems appear to partially mitigate perceived social insecurity in this group. This suggests that social security benefits may play a buffering role in alleviating the sense of insecurity associated with age-related social risks.

Article XXIV: The Effect of Parents’ Economic Support on Employment among NEET Youth: Recurrent Event Survival Analysis Park, Jin Won & Han, Chang-Keun, Sungkyunkwan University

Employment instability among youth is one of the key factors contributing to the increase in NEET (Not in Education, Employment & Training) youth. On the other hand, parental economic support has a positive impact on the probability of employment among NEET youth by promoting human capital accumulation and job search. Therefore, this study analyzes the impact of parental economic support on the probability of transition to employment among NEET youth, using data from the Youth Panel Survey (YP2007) conducted by the Korea Employment Information Service. Descriptive statistics, frequency analysis, the Kaplan-Meier survival function, and Cox proportional hazards model analysis were performed using STATA 18.0. The Kaplan-Meier survival function analysis showed a distinct divergence between the survival curves of the two groups based on economic support status at the 18-month mark, indicating that NEET youth receiving economic support had a higher likelihood of employment. The Cox proportional hazards model further confirmed that the probability of employment increased significantly with the amount of economic support received. This study highlights the importance of parental financial support in the job search process and proposes policy measures aimed at promoting fair competition among youth.

Article XXX: Serial Mediation Effects of Health Consciousness on Depression in Diabetes Patients: The Moderating Role of Gender Zhen, Dandan, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui University of Chinese Medicine, China & Suh, Jeongkyo, Joongbu University

This study investigated the dual pathways linking health consciousness to depression in diabetic patients, emphasizing serial mediation by physical activity and generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), alongside gender-dependent moderation. Data from the 2022 Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES) were analyzed using SPSS and AMOS. Serial multiple mediation effects were examined via bootstrapping, and multi-group analysis evaluated gender’s moderating role. Among diabetic patients, 6.2% exhibited moderate-to-severe depressive symptoms, with 0.7% meeting criteria for severe depression. Health consciousness exerted both direct and total indirect effects on depression, with physical activity and GAD serving as sequential mediators. Critically, the mediation pathway through physical activity demonstrated the strongest effect, surpassing the GAD-related pathway. Gender significantly moderated three key relationships: (1) between health consciousness and depression, (2) physical activity and depression, and (3) GAD and depression. Male patients showed stronger direct effects of health consciousness on depression reduction, whereas females exhibited greater sensitivity to mediation through physical activity. These findings highlight health consciousness as a pivotal modifiable factor in depression pathogenesis and underscore the necessity of gender-tailored interventions. Clinical implications emphasize dual strategies: enhancing health consciousness to activate protective behaviors and designing sex-specific programs―cognitive-focused approaches for males versus physical activity-integrated interventions for females. This study provides a robust empirical foundation for multidimensional, personalized diabetes care targeting mental health comorbidities.