Quality of Life of Middle-aged and Older Persons

Abstract

중·노년층의 삶의 질을 향상시킬 수 있는 정책적 대응 방안을 모색하기 위한 경험적 기반을 마련하는 것을 목적으로 하고 있는 본 연구는 공적 개입을 통해 삶의 질향상이 필요한 대상을 파악해보고, 제한된 제원으로 중·노년층의 삶의 질을 향상시키기 위한 공적 개입을 시도할 때 우선순위를 두어야 할 대상을 구체적으로 파악하였다. 연구목적을 달성하기 위하여 2010년도 제3차 고령화연구패널 자료(50세 이상 7,628명)를 활용하여 중·노년층의 삶의 질을 계량화하고 유형화하였으며, 통계청에서 4년마다 실시하는 생활시간조사 자료(2009년도)를 분석하였고, 다양한 중·노년층의 삶의 질을 종합적으로 이해하기 위한 사례분석을 실시하였다.

With the ageing of baby boomers, social concerns are increasing on the middle-aged. In addition to the existing policy concerns on older persons, these newly growing concerns call for a better understanding of middle-aged Koreans, who are going down the same path of ageing that older Koreans took. In this context, this study aims to provide the empirical base for policy measures to enhance the quality of life of middle-aged and older Koreans and to bring out efficient policy responses to population ageing. To that end, this study analyzes the third wave of Korea Longitudinal Survey on Aging (KLosa) and Time-Use Survey 2009. In addition to these quantitative approaches, qualitative approaches are taken such as in-depth face-to-face interviews. This study consists of four parts. The first part provides an analysis of KLosa. Based on 16 indicators in 4 areas, quality-of-life scores are calculated for each area. Also, this study categorizes middle-aged and older persons into 5 types according to scores measured on economic condition, health status, and social activities. The second part presents the main results from the analysis of Time-Use Survey. The third discusses the main themes and findings from in-depth interviews conducted of a total of 20 persons. Based on the findings, the last part makes suggestions for policy directions and priority-setting for the different age groups concerned.