한국 노인의 일자리 기대감, 경제활동이 구강건강 관련 삶의 질에 미치는 영향

Relationship between Job Expectations, Economic Activities, and Oral Health-Related Quality of Life among in Korean Elderly

Objectives: This study analyzed the relationship between oral health-related quality of life, economic activity, and job expectations among elderly individuals aged 65 and over, in response to socioeconomic changes due to rapid population aging. Methods: The study utilized data from the 9th Korean Longitudinal Study of Ageing (KLoSA), surveying a total of 4,490 elderly participants. Results: Oral health-related quality of life showed significant differences according to age, education level, income, and economic activity status. The 65-74 age group scored highest in oral health-related quality of life, with scores tending to decrease as age increased. Elderly individuals engaged in economic activities demonstrated higher oral health-related quality of life compared to those who were not. Job expectations were found to have a positive impact on oral health-related quality of life. This is interpreted as job expectations enhancing self-esteem and self-efficacy, and increasing interest and investment in oral health care through economic stability. Conclusions: This study suggests that elderly economic activity and job expectations can contribute to improving oral health-related quality of life. It proposes the need to link elderly employment policies with oral health policies, and expects to enhance overall quality of life for the elderly by providing practical oral health promotion programs.