For women, subjective health rates were 1.9 times higher for those who communicated actively with family members compared to those who did not. (image: Korea Bizwire)
SEOUL, May 21 (Korea Bizwire) — Middle-aged women who lack in conversation with their family members think of themselves as unhealthy, according to a new study.
Prof. Kim Young-shik and researcher Kang Seo-young at Asan Medical Center released the results of their new study on Tuesday after a comprehensive analysis of the level of communication, subjective health conditions, health-related factors and past history of 469 couples with an average age of 57.
The research team divided groups that had active family communication and groups that lacked communication, and analyzed subjective health conditions by each group.
Subjective health conditions were assessed on a five-point scale.
As a result, for women, subjective health rates were 1.9 times higher for those who communicated actively with family members compared to those who did not.
In addition, for couples where both individuals were engaged in active conversation with other family members, subjective health was 2.3 times higher than when one party participated in active conversation.
For men, on the other hand, there was no correlation between the level of communication with family and subjective health.
The research team advised that when middle-aged women who are heavily affected by communication say they are “not in good health,” one needs to consider mental and social issues as well as medical issues.
The results and findings of the study were published in the latest issue of the international journal PLOS One.
D. M. Park (dmpark@koreabizwire.com)
