Age discrimination and depression among older adults in South Korea: Moderating effects of exercise

Hyun Kang , Emily S. Ihara
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Abstract

Background

This study examines the association between perceived age discrimination and depression among South Korean older adults and whether regular exercise can moderate this association. There has been a noticeable rise in ageism in both the media and the society during and following the COVID-19 pandemic. Perceived age discrimination can lead to an internalization of ageist attitudes and stereotypes, resulting in decreased self-efficacy and increased negative emotions, which negatively impact on the health of older adults. While regular exercise has been shown to boost self-esteem and enhance positive self-perceptions of aging, its potential as an intervention against the psychological impact of age discrimination is under-explored.

Methods

Using data from 9,920 participants (aged 65+) in the 2020 National Survey of Older Koreans, depression was regressed on age discrimination controlling for age, gender, education, marital status, self-rated health, employment status, and activities of daily living (ADLs). A hierarchical multiple regression analysis was employed to examine the moderating effect of exercise.

Results

Higher levels of perceived age discrimination were directly associated with higher levels of depression. Regular exercise significantly moderated this relationship, reducing the negative impact of perceived age discrimination on depressive symptoms.

Conclusions

Considering the rise of ageism in South Korea, regular exercise can serve as an important mechanism for combating ageism by effectively managing stress and enhancing self-resilience. Our findings highlight the importance of promoting exercise as a potential strategy to mitigate the detrimental mental health effects of age discrimination, particularly in the post-pandemic era.
韩国老年人的年龄歧视和抑郁:运动的调节作用
本研究探讨了韩国老年人年龄歧视与抑郁之间的关系,以及是否有规律的锻炼可以缓和这种关系。在2019冠状病毒病大流行期间和之后,媒体和社会中的年龄歧视明显增加。感知到的年龄歧视可导致年龄歧视态度和陈规定型观念内化,导致自我效能下降和负面情绪增加,从而对老年人的健康产生负面影响。虽然有规律的锻炼已被证明可以增强自尊,增强对衰老的积极自我认知,但它作为一种干预年龄歧视心理影响的潜力尚未得到充分探索。方法利用2020年韩国老年人全国调查9920名参与者(65岁以上)的数据,控制年龄、性别、教育程度、婚姻状况、自评健康状况、就业状况和日常生活活动(ADLs),对年龄歧视进行抑郁回归。采用层次多元回归分析检验运动的调节作用。结果高水平的年龄歧视与高水平的抑郁直接相关。有规律的锻炼显著地缓和了这种关系,减少了年龄歧视对抑郁症状的负面影响。结论:考虑到韩国年龄歧视的上升,定期锻炼可以有效地管理压力,增强自我适应能力,作为对抗年龄歧视的重要机制。我们的研究结果强调了促进锻炼作为减轻年龄歧视对心理健康有害影响的潜在策略的重要性,特别是在大流行后时代。
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来源期刊
Aging and health research
Aging and health research Clinical Neurology, Public Health and Health Policy, Geriatrics and Gerontology
CiteScore
0.60
自引率
0.00%
发文量
0
审稿时长
12 weeks
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