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- Analysis of the Correlation Between Health Status and Social Factors Among Korean Care Workers†
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YeJin Yun
, Yuna Kim, Miyeon Yoon, Sejin Park - IGEE Proc. 2025;2(2):114-132. Published online June 30, 2025
- DOI: https://doi.org/10.69841/igee.2025.018
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AbstractAmid South Korea’s demographic crisis of a declining birth rate and a rapidly aging population, care work has become an essential yet undervalued sector. This study investigates the physical and mental health conditions of domestic care workers and explores how social and structural factors shape their labor experiences.Using a mixed-methods approach, the research integrates survey data from care workers (n=345) with in-depth interviews of nine individuals working in various care roles, including certified caregivers, disability support workers, childcare teachers, and domestic workers. Quantitative findings reveal strong correlations between job satisfaction and health outcomes. Higher job satisfaction was associated with lower scores on the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI), Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9), and Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 (GAD-7), indicating better physical and mental health. Significant disparities were found between care worker subcategories. Qualitative analysis further uncovered recurring themes such as emotional burden, social invisibility, dissatisfaction with compensation, and the absence of grievance mechanisms. Despite these challenges, many workers found meaning in their roles and relied on informal coping strategies such as peer support. This study underscores the urgency of addressing systemic issues in the care sector. The results call for policies that improve working conditions, recognize the social value of care work, and promote health equity. The findings contribute to advancing Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 3(Good Health), 5 (Gender Equality), and 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth).
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Summary
- Bridging the Cognitive Digital Divide: A Prototype-Based Interven-tion for Elderly Learners in South Korea†
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Yeeun Kim, Haeyoon Shin, Soo Yeon Kim
- IGEE Proc. 2025;2(2):103-113. Published online June 30, 2025
- DOI: https://doi.org/10.69841/igee.2025.017
- 246 View
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AbstractThe acceleration of digital transformation across public and private sectors has exacerbated disparities in digital literacy, particularly among older adults who face cognitive, sensory, and technological barriers to effective engagement. In South Korea—despite widespread smartphone ownership among the elderly—digital proficiency remains disproportionately low, underscoring the inadequacy of current accessibility-focused interventions and the pressing need for cognitively and perceptually attuned digital education frameworks. This study examines the effectiveness of Ee Eum, a prototype digital literacy intervention specifically designed for adults aged 65 and older, integrating user-centered interface design principles with tiered educational scaffolding. A sequential mixed-methods design was employed. Initial qualitative inquiry through focus group and individual interviews (n = 30) identified key usability obstacles and content needs. This was followed by a series of controlled usability experiments (n = 31), including A/B testing of visual variables (e.g., contrast ratio, font size) and First Click Tests to evaluate interface navigability and perceptual clarity. Results demonstrated that high-contrast color combinations (e.g., yellow text on blue backgrounds) and enlarged text sizes (25–28pt) significantly improved legibility and reduced cognitive load. The inclusion of visual affordances in user interface elements led to substantial gains in navigational accuracy, with First Click Test performance increasing from 39.79% to 86.02% when target areas were visually emphasized. These findings provide empirical support for the role of perceptually optimized interface design in enhancing digital accessibility for older adults. The Ee Eum prototype offers a replicable framework for inclusive UI/UX development and contributes to ongoing discourse in gerontechnology, digital equity, and human-centered aging policy.
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