Factors Favoring Independent Over Shared Living Arrangements Among the Elderly Korean

This article explores the factors influencing the independent living arrangements of Korean senior citizens. Data are drawn from a 2011 national survey of the Living Conditions and Welfare Needs, conducted by the Korea Institute for Health Social Affairs, and composed of 7,833 elderly people aged 60 and over. The selected sample is divided into two groups – living alone and living with others (e.g., spouse or adult children). One-third of the sample group, 31%, was reported to live on their own. All three models were tested. First, the person-environment (P-E) theory of aging is adopted to test how elders living alone fit adequately into their social environment. The P-E model suggests that those having fewer social resources are less likely to adapt to their environment. Second, the cultural expectancy theory represents the changing cultural phenomenon of residential patterns which facilitates separate living arrangements. Third, the social convoy model is employed to test elders’ social involvement. The hierarchical logistic regression analyses show that elderly individuals living on their own are found to have less control over their environment; they are demographically disadvantaged and perceive their living status as low.
The elders living alone are more likely to rely on either adult children or society for their ideal old age living expenses. Finally, those elderly living by themselves tend to meet their friends less than those living with others.
The results of this study clearly show that elderly Koreans living alone are prone to live in an environment that is not congruent with their needs. Policies for improving social environments of individuals living alone are strongly needed.