Korean Longitudinal Survey Of Women Research Articles

Patterns of depression among women post-divorce and the influential factors: Latent growth modeling

ObjectivesThe purpose of this study is to longitudinally examine the change in depressive symptoms immediately following divorce among Korean women during the COVID-19 outbreak, as well as to verify the factors affecting the change in depressive symptoms. MethodsA total of 401 women from the Korean Longitudinal Survey of Women & Families(KLoWF) were analyzed between 2012(4th wave) and 2020(8th wave). Latent Growth Modeling is utilized to assess the overall trajectory of depressive symptoms in women following divorce. ResultsIn the immediate aftermath of divorce, the level of depressive symptoms in divorced women was high, but gradually decreased over time, only to reappear later on. The factors impacting the initial depressive symptom levels among women post-divorce revealed that lower educational attainment, lower subjective economic status, and poorer subjective health status were associated with higher depressive symptom levels. Among the factors influencing the rate of change in depressive symptoms, living alone emerged as the only statistically significant factor. The depressive symptom levels of women living alone declined gradually, whereas the depressive symptom levels of women living with someone decreased more rapidly. ConclusionAs a result of this study, valuable data can be used to develop practical interventions aimed at enhancing the mental well-being of women post-divorce, particularly during challenging circumstances such as the COVID-19 outbreak.

Maternity protection and work-family balance support policies: A Korean case study

More Korean women participate in economic and social activities, but also more of them decide not to work or to delay childbirth. This study used data from the Korean Longitudinal Survey of Women & Families (KLoWF) between 2010 and 2018 to examine changes in awareness of the policies on maternity protection and work-family balance support, and the factors behind them. We selected 972 female workers (between 15 and 49 years of age) for this analysis. Using Growth Mixture Modelling (GMM), we identified three types of changes in awareness. Having lower education levels and fewer children, working in production rather than professional management, and having a smaller workforce increase the likelihood of being in the ‘reducing’ type of awareness change. These findings suggest the need for a review of current maternity protection and work-family balance support systems, and guide the future directions for improvement which we identify at the end of the article.

Partner's contribution to housework and couple bonding activities among Korean working women: Heterogeneity by socioeconomic status

The present study investigates: (a) how a partner's contribution to housework is associated with couple bonding activities among Korean women in dual-earner couples and (b) whether this association varies by socioeconomic status. Using eight waves from the Korean Longitudinal Survey of Women & Families (N = 5758), we estimated fixed effects models to account for individual-level heterogeneity. Engagement in couple bonding activities was measured by the frequency of physical and cultural activities with a partner. Fixed effects estimates showed that a partner's contribution to housework is positively associated with engagement in physical and cultural activities with a partner. The association between a partner's contribution to housework and physical and cultural activities was more pronounced among women in dual-earner couples in which the woman was highly educated. The association for cultural activities, not physical activities, was amplified by household income. This study supports the notion that a more equal distribution of housework is important for improving the quality of life in a marriage.

Impact of parental leave system on the childbirth plan among working married women: a three-year follow-up study of the Korean longitudinal survey of women and families

BackgroundThe Korean government seeks to balance work and family and alleviate low fertility by implementing a parental leave system. This study aimed to identify the impact of the parental leave system on childbirth among married working women in South Korea.MethodsThis study used three-year follow-up data from the Korean Longitudinal Survey of Women and Families (2016, 2018, and 2020). The number of participants was 324 at baseline. Logistic regressions using a generalized estimating equation model were performed to examine the impact of parental leave on childbirth. Sub-analyses of covariates, childbirth support, and parental leave systems were conducted.ResultsOf workers covered by the parental leave system, 31.7% considered childbirth. Women covered by parental leave were 3.63 times more likely to plan childbirth (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.32–9.99). The tendency to plan childbirth was pronounced among those in their early 30s (adjusted odds ratio [AOR], 7.20) and those who thought that having children was necessary (AOR, 4.30). Child planning was more influenced by leave support (AOR, 6.61) than subsidies.ConclusionsParental leave systems can have a positive impact on working married women’s childbirth plans. Although this system was effective in a group interested in childbirth, it did not create a fundamental child plan. Time support is more important than money concerning childbirth plans. The parental leave system had an impact on childbirth plan. Appropriate parenting policies can effectively increase the fertility rate.

Association between long working hours and the development of suicidal ideation among female workers: An 8-year population-based study using the Korean Longitudinal Survey of Women & Family (2012–2020)

Long working hours and overwork have recently emerged as pressing public health concerns. We explored the association between long working hours and suicidal ideation in female workers. A total of 8017 women (24,331 observations) from the fourth to eighth waves of the Korean Longitudinal Survey of Women and Families (2012–2020) were analyzed. To address the repeated measurements within each participant, we employed a generalized estimating equation to estimate the odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs). The prevalence of suicidal ideation was 1.9% for those working 35–40 h/week and 4.4% for those working ≥55 h/week. Compared to individuals working 35–40 h/week, those working ≥55 h/week were more likely to experience concurrent suicidal ideation (OR [95% CI]:1.85 [1.43–2.39]). The OR (95% CI) of the association between long working hours and onset of suicidal ideation in the subsequent wave was 1.69 (1.20–2.38) for ≥55 h/week. In subgroup analysis, this association was pronounced among workers with low-income levels (OR [95% CI]: 1.97 [1.29–3.02]) and blue-collar occupations (OR [95% CI]: 2.27 [1.41–3.66]). Policy efforts are required to protect the mental health of female workers exposed to long working hours.

유자녀 직장여성의 일-가정 전이에 따른 잠재계층 탐색과 계층 간 전이에 대한 영향요인 검증

This study aimed to identify the latent classes of work-family spillover among working mothers, and to explore the pattern of transition across latent classes over time. In addition, we examined factors influencing the latent transition. The data were from the 7th and 8th years of the Korean Longitudinal Survey of Women and Families(KLSWF) using latent transition analysis. As a result of the analysis, 4 latent classes were derived in the 7th year, and depression, happiness, overall leisure satisfaction, number of minor children, working hours, and work satisfaction were identified as significant factors. In the 8th year, 3 latent classes were derived, and depression, overall leisure satisfaction, working hours, work satisfaction, increased housework hours, and increased subjective happiness were identified as significant factors. Happiness, overall leisure satisfaction, and work satisfaction were found to be factors affecting the transition between latent classes. These findings would be useful to enhance work-family balance for working mothers.

Double jeopardy: Exploring the moderating effect of educational mismatch in the relationship between work-family conflict and depressive symptoms among Korean working women

RationaleDespite a growing body of empirical evidence on the detrimental effects of work-family conflict (WFC) on psychological health, little attention has been given to whether educational mismatch in the workplace, which refers to the perceived level of match between one's attained education and the required educational level for a position, may exacerbate these effects. ObjectiveThe purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between WFC, educational mismatch, and depressive symptoms in Korean working women, with a particular focus on the potential moderating effects of educational mismatch on the association between WFC and depressive symptoms. MethodsThe data utilized for this study were collected from 5174 married working women over five waves (16,610 person-observations) of the Korean Longitudinal Survey of Women and Families spanning 8 years between 2012 and 2020. Fixed effects (FE) models were estimated to account for unobserved individual-level heterogeneity. ResultsFE estimates indicated that WFC is associated with an increase in depressive symptoms, even after accounting for unobserved confounding factors and time-varying covariates. The interaction model provides evidence for the moderating role of educational mismatch in the association between WFC and depressive symptoms. The positive association between WFC and depressive symptoms was more pronounced among those who perceive themselves as “overeducated.” The estimated coefficient for the association was about 45% larger for those who perceive themselves as “overeducated” than their “well-matched” counterparts. ConclusionThe study's findings suggest a robust link between WFC and depressive symptoms and further elaborate on how this association varies depending on educational mismatch. In Korea, where conservative gender role norms of female-caregiver ideology are still prevalent, WFC and educational mismatch can act as double jeopardy, exacerbating the mental health of working women.

Job dissatisfaction as a risk factor of depressive symptoms and suicidal ideation among female workers: evidence from a nationwide longitudinal study in South Korea.

This study aimed to investigate the relationship between job dissatisfaction (JD) and depressive symptoms and suicidal ideation among female workers. Additionally, it examined how the cumulative exposure to JD over multiple years can exacerbate the effect. We conducted our analyses on a nationwide sample of 6111 female workers from the Korean Longitudinal Survey of Women and Family (Waves 5-7). Depressive symptoms were measured using the 10-item version of the Centre for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale. JD was classified into quartiles (Q1-Q4), and odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated using generalised estimating equations. The overall prevalence of depressive symptoms and suicidal ideation among study participants was 13.9% and 2.4%, respectively. Our findings revealed that female workers with the highest level of JD (Q4) had a significantly greater risk of depressive symptoms (OR [95% CI]: 1.61 [1.37-1.89]) and suicidal ideation (OR [95% CI]: 2.08 [1.37-3.17]) after 2-year follow-up compared to those with the lowest level of JD (Q1). Consecutive exposure to JD over multiple years was also associated with depressive symptoms and suicidal ideation after a 2-year follow-up. For instance, women exposed to JD for three consecutive waves exhibited a high risk of depressive symptoms (OR [95% CI]: 1.61 [1.33-1.95]) and suicidal ideation (OR [95% CI]: 1.67 [1.04-2.70]). JD was positively associated with depressive symptoms and suicidal ideation. Our study suggests that JD is a risk factor for mental health problems in female workers.

South Korea’s Fertility Puzzle: A Mismatch Between Sustained Childbearing Desires and Declining Fertility

Although marriage and fertility rates in South Korea have been declining for decades, many perceive having two or more children as the ideal. To understand the mismatch between childbearing desires and realities, this study describes the interrelatedness and incongruity of Korean women’s attitudes toward marriage, childbearing and gender roles by viewing attitudes as a multidimensional construct. Using data from the Korean Longitudinal Survey of Women and Families, latent transition analysis was conducted to identify classes of women with similar attitudinal response patterns and develop a typology of their personal dispositions toward family life. Three attitudinal classes emerged from the analysis: Traditional Familism, Transitional Ambivalence and Contemporary Individualism. The first class includes those with traditional attitudes to family formation and gender roles, while the latter two classes indicate a more positive orientation toward parenthood than marriage. This finding is particularly important in a context where having a child outside of marriage is rare and stigmatized, and suggests that low fertility may be potentially related to divergences in marriage and childbearing attitudes. Overall, these findings emphasize the importance of jointly considering attitudes across various family-related domains to better capture the complex attitudinal dynamics associated with women’s perceptions of family life.

여성의 가족가치관의 변화와 영향요인

The purpose of this study is to determine how women's perceived family values change over time and to empirically test their influence by considering factors that affect women's family values in different contexts. Data from the 6th to the 8th year of the ‘Korean Longitudinal Survey of Women and Families’ established by the Korea Women’s Development Institute were used. A total of 9,112 people were analyzed by merging the panels. As a result of the analysis, women's family values showed a linear pattern with a gradual decrease. Age, education level, marriage experience, local safety awareness, sexual violence awareness, and job satisfaction had a significant effect on women's family values. Based on the results, it is necessary to establish a multilateral population policy according to changes in family values and a family policy that recognizes diversity. In addition, multidimensional efforts are needed to form a healthy family.

조직 내 개인특성과 제도적 차별이 여성의 삶의 만족에 미치는 영향

This study examines the mediating effect of job satisfaction on individual characteristics, institutional discrimination, and life satisfaction among female workers. Recently, the concept of labor has been applied not only as a means of livelihood but also as a means of pursuing happiness in life. There is a growing interest in the relationship between female job satisfaction and life satisfaction. given the importance of utilizing female labor as an alternative to economic revitalization and the aging population problem, Using data from the Korean Longitudinal Survey of Women and Families, this study examined the effects of individual characteristics and institutional discrimination on life satisfaction through stepwise regression to verify the mediating effect of job satisfaction. The results showed that individual characteristics and perceptions of institutional discrimination had a significant impact on job satisfaction and life satisfaction. Job satisfaction partially mediated the relationship between individual characteristics and discrimination perception and life satisfaction. Female workers who were dissatisfied with performance recognition and interpersonal relationships within the organization had lower job satisfaction levels. This study reveals that female workers with institutional discrimination show lower life satisfaction levels.

Does having children matter? Associations between transitions in work-family role combinations and depressive symptoms among married women in Korea

Although having a variety of roles is generally beneficial for mental health, little is known about the relationships between work-family role combinations and depressive symptoms among married women in Korea, where child rearing is strongly considered a mother's responsibility. This study examines how the four types of work-family role combinations may be associated with depressive symptoms among married Korean women younger than 50 years old. Data were collected from 2012 through 2020 in five surveys by the Korean Longitudinal Survey of Women & Families. In total, 4811 married women (14,851 person-period observations) were analyzed using regression models with fixed effects. This enabled estimation of the within-person effects of transitions in work-family role combinations on depressive symptoms. Work-family role combinations were categorized as follows based on whether respondents had a job or at least one child: having both worker and mother roles, having a worker role only, having neither a worker nor a mother role, and having a mother role only. The findings indicate that married women who had only a mother role had more severe depressive symptoms than the other three groups. However, after controlling for whether respondents had a preschool-aged child, only those with both worker and mother roles had significantly lower levels of depressive symptoms compared with those with a mother role only. This study suggests that transitioning to being a working mother from a full-time mother may benefit the mental health of married Korean women. Furthermore, whether married women have a child critically impacts their mental health more than the number of roles. Raising a preschool-aged child seems to potentially be especially stressful for married Korean women. Working outside the home can protect the mental health of married Korean mothers who are affected by the social pressure to immerse themselves in child-rearing.

Engagement in productive activities and suicidal ideation among female older adults in South Korea

Despite the rapid increase in the older population in South Korea, the quality of life of older adults remains low. The suicide rate of older adults in South Korea is among the highest of all OECD countries. Using data from 2012 (wave 4) to 2020 (wave 8) of the Korean Longitudinal Survey of Women and Families (KLoWF), this study examined the effects of participation in productive activities on suicidal ideation among South Korean female older adults. This study derived three key findings. First, although there were differences regarding the type of productive activity, participation in productive activity could reduce the probability of experiencing suicidal ideation. Participation in housework as a productive activity related to daily life had the greatest marginal effect. Second, the more productive activities one participated in, the lower the likelihood of suicidal ideation. Third, the economic and health status of older women had a significant effect on suicidal ideation. The marginal effect of health status was greater than that of economic status. This study not only makes an academic contribution but also has policy implications for the field of public health.

Work-Family Conflict and Depressive Symptoms of Married Working Women in Korea: The Role of Marriage Satisfaction and Organizational Gender Discrimination Climate.

Depression is increasing worldwide. Some previous studies have explored the impact of work-family conflict on depressive symptoms of married working women. However, little is known about the moderating relationship underlying them. This study aims to determine the moderating effects of marriage satisfaction and organizational gender discrimination climate in the relationship between work-family conflict and depressive symptoms of married working women in Korea. A cross-sectional study was conducted using the data of the 8th Korean Longitudinal Survey of Women and Families (KLoWF). The data of 1,816 married working women employed and paid by an individual or an enterprise were analyzed. The work-family conflict had a significant effect on depressive symptoms of married working women. In the dynamics between work-family conflict and depressive symptoms, no significant moderating effect of marriage satisfaction was found. On the contrary, the organizational gender discrimination climate displayed a moderating effect on the relationship between work-family conflict and depressive symptoms. Nursing strategies in the workplace or community are needed so that married working women can cope positively and actively between work-family conflicts and maintain healthy mental health. To this end, gender role awareness education should be prioritized to improve awareness of gender discrimination in the workplace. In addition, nursing interventions such as linking local or government support and information delivery should be provided so that married working women can be consulted about situations related to work-family conflicts or gender discrimination climate.

청년 미혼 여성근로자의 일-가족 갈등 및 촉진 유형과 심리적 복지

The study aims to identify the profiles of work-family conflict and work-family facilitation of young unmarried female workers, and to examine the differences in depression and happiness across profiles. The sample of 638 unmarried employed women who were under 40 was a subset of data from the 8th Korean Longitudinal Survey of Women and Families. Using latent profile analysis, good type (61.33%), moderate type (25.88%), and conflicting type (12.79%) were derived. For depression, the moderate type of depression was higher than that of the good type, and the conflicting type was higher than that of the moderate type. On the other hand, the good type of happiness was significantly higher than them of the others. This study is meaningful because it confirmed the necessity of supplementing the existing family-friendly policies for young unmarried workers by finding a subgroup that is likely to be more vulnerable to balance work and family roles.

국내 여성 여가활동 참가자의 여가참여 특성이 여가생활 만족에 미치는 영향: 여성가족 패널조사 7차, 8차 결과를 중심으로

국내 여성 여가활동 참가자의 여가참여 특성이 여가생활 만족에 미치는 영향: 여성가족 패널조사 7차, 8차 결과를 중심으로

Analysis of longitudinal causal relationships between gender role attitudes and labor market participation of young women in Korea

The purpose of this study was to analyze the longitudinal causal relationship between gender role attitudes and the labor market participation of young women in Korea. This study used the data of 902 young women from the 2nd to the 7th waves of the Korean Longitudinal Survey of Women and Families. The methods used were the autoregressive cross-lagged model and multivariate latent growth. Women’s participation in the labor market promoted equal gender role attitudes, and the effect had a lasting impact into the future. On the other hand, the fact that women had an equal gender role attitude did not have a significant effect on their subsequent labor market participation. In addition, the experience of pregnancy reduced women’s participation in the labor market, demonstrating women’s career interruption. Through the results of the study, the necessity of an active employment policy to promote women’s entry into the labor market and prevent career interruption was emphasized.

The impact of work interference with family on depressive symptoms among married working women: A longitudinal panel study.

This study aimed to investigate the effects of work interference with family (WIF) on depressive symptoms among married working women. Data from 2014‒2018 of the Korean Longitudinal Survey of Women and Families were used. Only married women living with their husbands and wage workers were included, whereas those diagnosed with depression at the baseline year and those with missing values were excluded. A total of 1,504 individuals were included as the study population. The impact of WIF on depressive symptoms was analyzed using the generalized estimating equation model with a logit link. After adjusting for all the potential confounding variables, it was found that WIF had an effect on depressive symptoms. Women whose work interfered with their family were 1.58 times more likely to experience depressive symptoms than those who did not experience WIF (95% Confidence interval (CI): 1.30‒1.92). WIF due to irregular working hours had the highest odds ratio for depression (Adjusted odds ratio (OR): 2.01, 95% CI: 1.32‒3.08). Women with WIF were more likely to develop depressive symptoms when they had two or more children (With 2 children, Adjusted OR: 1.69, 95% CI: 1.31‒2.18; With 3 or more children, Adjusted OR: 1.63, 95% CI: 1.07-2.49). Thus, married working women who experienced WIF were found to be at a higher risk of developing depressive symptoms. Therefore, considering how prevailing stereotypes that roles of men and women are separated can harm women's mental health, policy measures should be implemented to ensure women's quality of life based on the work-family balance.

영유아의 보육⋅사교육비 지출 실태와 비용 결정 요인

Objectives The purpose of this study is to investigate the status of expenses to use centers for education, childcare, and private education for children at the age of 0 to 6 to and analyze factors influencing expenditure for education.
 Methods We utilized data from the 7th Korean Longitudinal Survey of Women & Families (KLoWF) in 2018 and collected data from 328 married women who have children under six year of age and responded to the question of whether they use childcare facilities or not. This study conducted descriptive statistical analysis, t-test, and F-test to examine the status of expenses of education, childcare, and private education for children. To analyze factors influencing their expenses for education, this study performed multiple regression analysis.
 Results According to the results, parents spend 158,800 won for education each month, and among that, 138,100 won is for childcare and 298,100 won is for private education. According to the results of multiple regression analysis, factors influencing their expenditure for education are found to be monthly average household income, the number of children and the first child age. When monthly average household income is higher, children are fewer and the first child age is older, they spend more money for education. Meanwhile, the age of a mother has positive correlation with educational expenditure; however, the influence is found to differ according to the models of analysis.
 Conclusions Based on the findings, this study has drawn several policy implications as follows. First, since the difference between household incomes results in a gap in education from early childhood, it is needed to improve supportive policy to provide extracurricular activities after school and give more opportunity of childcare services for the low-income group. Second, as children get older, the aspects of preliminary learning and caregiving before entering school should be approached; therefore, it is necessary to build up a system for making education in daycare centers and kindergartens public and developing after-school class such as caregiving class.

Multifaceted Work-to-Life Negative Spillover and Depressive Symptoms among Working Women: The Moderating Effect of Social Activities Satisfaction.

This study aims to examine how work-to-life negative spillover is associated with depressive symptoms among working women and to explore moderating effect of social activities satisfaction on the relationship between work-to-life spillover and depression. This was a secondary data analysis from a sample of 2869 employed women from the 7th Korean Longitudinal Survey of Women and Families. The results showed that work-to-life negative spillover was positively associated with depressive symptoms. Additionally, there was a significant moderating effect of social activities satisfaction on the relationship between work-to-life negative spillover and depressive symptoms (β = 0.176, p < 0.05). It was found that the low social activity group showed fewer depressive symptoms induced by the negative work-to-life spillover than the high social activity group. Based on the results of our study, effective strategies and policies for work-family compatibility and interventions aimed at reducing the work induced stress and depressive symptoms are recommended.