Is Health Literacy Associated With Depressive Symptoms Among Korean Adults? Implications for Mental Health Nursing. Issue 4 (20th May 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Rhee, Taeho Greg; Lee, Hee Yun; Kim, Nam Keol; Han, Gyounghae; Lee, Jeonghwa; Kim, Kyoungwoo
• Is Part Of: Perspectives in psychiatric care. Volume 53:Issue 4(2017:Oct.)
• Page Start: 234
• Page End: 242
• Publication Date: 2016-05-20
• Subjects: Depression -- health literacy -- intervention -- Korean -- mental health; Psychiatric nursing -- Periodicals; Psychiatric nursing -- Research -- Periodicals; 616.890231
• DOI: 10.1111/ppc.12162
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0031-5990

Abstract

Abstract : OBJECTIVE: This study investigated whether health literacy is associated with depressive symptoms among Korean adults, when adjusting for relevant risk factors for depression. METHODS: Data were collected from a sample of 585 community‐dwelling Korean adults living in Seoul and Kwangju, South Korea, using a quota sampling strategy. A cross‐sectional, multivariate regression analysis was used to investigate the association between health literacy and depressive symptoms. RESULTS: When controlled for covariates, a lower level of health literacy was significantly associated with a higher level of depressive symptoms. CONCLUSION: Health literacy may play an important role in preventing and treating depression. Future research is needed to determine if improving health literacy, through health promotion interventions, can enhance community‐dwelling Korean adults' understanding of depressive symptoms and relevant treatment options.