Despite the increasing number of homecare workers, a reliable and valid tool with which to measure burnout among Korean homecare workers is still lacking. The aim of this study was to examine the reliability and construct validity of the Korean version of the Copenhagen Burnout Inventory (CBI-K). The study population consisted of 465 homecare workers. Data were collected in 2016 through a self-administered questionnaire including the three subscales of the CBI-K, the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CESD-10), a measure of work–life conflict, and questions about respondents’ sociodemographic characteristics. The confirmatory factor analyses results showed that the model fit indices of the refined three-factor model, in which the PB, WRB, and CRB subscales each contained six items, were acceptable (CFI = 0.924, SRMR = 0.049, RMSEA = 0.091). Furthermore, based on the results for construct reliability, discriminant validity of the refined three-factor model and job characteristics of homecare workers, we proposed that an abbreviated two-factor scale using the PB and CRB subscales could be used, with appropriate model fit indices (CFI = 0.950, SRMR = 0.047, RMSEA = 0.084). Each of the PB, WRB, and CRB subscales of CBI-K were associated with depressive symptoms even after controlling for covariates. The CBI-K has adequate reliability and validity for use with homecare workers. To increase its practicality, we suggest a refined form comprising only PB and CRB subscales can be used rather than a three-factor model.

Purpose: This study examined the effects of virtual reality (VR)-based fundamental nursing education on nursing students’ knowledge of the hospital environment, academic self-efficacy, learning flow, educational satisfaction, and academic achievement.Methods: In total, 137 nursing students participated in this non-equivalent control group pretest-posttest study, with 69 and 68 in the experimental and control groups, respectively. Differences in the dependent variables between the two groups before and after the intervention were compared using the independent-sample t-test and Mann-Whitney U test.Results: The VR intervention group showed significantly higher knowledge of the hospital environment (t=3.88, p<.001), educational satisfaction (z=-3.82, p<.001), and academic achievement (z=-2.54, p=.011) than the control group.Conclusion: These findings indicate that VR-based education is an effective intervention for improving knowledge of the hospital environment, educational satisfaction, and academic achievement in nursing education.

^* Total Mean±SD;

This study was conducted to investigate the trend in functional changes over time and factors associated with the number of areas showing functional decline in older adults who had been discharged from acute care hospitals. This longitudinal study involved 156 patients aged ≥ 65 years who were admitted to one tertiary hospital in Seoul and discharged home. Authors investigated patient demographic and health-care characteristics and the number of areas showing functional decline at 1 and 3 months after discharge. The data were analyzed using univariate and multivariate Poisson regression models. The number of areas showing functional decline increased between admission and 1 month after discharge and had declined slightly at 3 months after discharge. The factors associated with the number of areas showing functional decline at 3 months after discharge were age, education level, and length of hospitalization (p < .05); the factors associated at 1 month after discharge were medical department and caregiver relationship (p < .05). The results indicate that older patients with no spouse or those with their elderly spouse as their caregiver are at risk of functional decline in a greater number of areas after discharge. Therefore, a comprehensive health-care policy to ensure care continuity is required for functional health maintenance for older adults after hospital discharge.

Objectives: This study examined the associations between digital literacy and self-rated health (SRH), depression, and life satisfaction among older adults in the Republic of Korea.Methods: Data were obtained from the 2023 National Survey of Older Koreans (n=9,951). Digital literacy was evaluated based on participants’ ability to use 8 smartphone functions and their perceived difficulty adapting to a digital society. Dependent variables included SRH, depression (measured using the short form of Geriatric Depression Scale), and life satisfaction (assessed through a composite score across 7 domains). Multiple logistic regression was applied for SRH and depression, while linear regression was conducted for life satisfaction, adjusting for sociodemographic and health-related covariates.Results: Higher digital literacy was significantly associated with better SRH and greater life satisfaction. Compared to participants with no digital skills, those with moderate or high digital literacy had higher odds of reporting good SRH and significantly higher life satisfaction scores. Older adults who reported difficulty adapting to a digital society demonstrated significantly lower SRH and life satisfaction. However, after adjusting for covariates, the association between digital literacy and depression was not statistically significant.Conclusion: Higher digital literacy is linked to better SRH and greater life satisfaction. Moreover, digital literacy reduced the explanatory power of socioeconomic variables, suggesting that it serves as an important behavioral determinant. These findings underscore the importance of promoting digital literacy as a means of improving health equity and well-being in aging populations.

Objectives: Social activities are important and influential factors for healthy aging. However, limited information is available regarding the associations of the type and intensity of social participation with health and well-being. This study aimed to investigate how various types of social activities are associated with several dimensions of health outcomes.Methods: This cross-sectional study utilized data from the Seventh Korean Longitudinal Study of Aging, which included 5,526 adults aged 60 years and older. Multivariate linear regression analysis was employed to analyze the associations of social activities with depression, self-rated health, and life satisfaction. Additionally, subgroup analyses by sex and age were performed.Results: Among the participants, 73.5% reported involvement in at least 1 of the 4 types of social engagement. After adjustment for all covariates, individuals who participated in any social activity reported better self-rated health and higher life satisfaction compared to those who did not participate. However, the intensity of engagement in different social activities had varying impacts on subjective health outcomes. An increased level of participation was associated with a lower rate of depression and improved self-rated health. However, no significant differences were observed in the relationship between the intensity of participation in activities (with the exception of alumni societies or family councils) and life satisfaction.Conclusion: This study suggests that to improve their health, older adults in the Republic of Korea should not only engage in social activities but also do so actively and regularly.