Korea Disease Control Agency Finds Higher Depression Risk Among Elderly Living Alone

As people age, their mental health requires special attention, especially for seniors living alone. According to recently released data from the Korea Disease Control Agency (KDCA), elderly individuals living alone are at a higher risk of experiencing depression.

The analysis found that single-person households had 2.3 times the prevalence of depressive symptoms compared to households with two or more people. The 70 and older age group showed a 1.7 times higher rate compared to the overall population. Socioeconomic vulnerabilities, such as unemployment, low income, and households receiving basic livelihood support, were found to be linked to depression risk.

Sleep duration showed the strongest correlation with depressive symptoms. Compared to those sleeping 7-8 hours a day, individuals sleeping less than 6 hours or more than 9 hours had a 2.1 times higher likelihood of experiencing depressive symptoms. Lack of walking practice increased the likelihood by 1.4 times, and insufficient strength training by 1.2 times. Smoking increased the likelihood by 1.7 times, and heavy drinking by 1.3 times.

The likelihood of depressive symptoms was 2 times higher for individuals who interacted with others less than once a month, and 1.8 times higher for those with low trust among neighbors. Based on these findings, the KDCA formulates regional public health policies by considering high-risk groups and key related factors.