Influencing factors on self-care of older adults living alone in a community during COVID-19: A cross-sectional study

Purpose: This study aimed to identify the factors affecting the self-care of older adults living alone in a community during the COVID-19 pandemic.Methods: Data were collected through a questionnaire survey of 160 older adults living alone in Seoul, Gyeong-gi, and Chung-cheong province using self-care, health conservation, psychological well-being, and self-esteem scales. Data were analyzed using the Pearson correlation coefficients, t-test, analysis of variance ANOVA, and Hierarchial stepwise multiple regression with the SPSS/Windows version 25.0 program.Results: The greatest variables affecting the self-care for older adults living alone were compliance with COVID-19 quarantine rules (β=-.04, p=.054), interactions with the neighborhood (β=-.06, p=.029), economic status (β=.10, p=.008), health conservation (β=.29, p<.001), psychological well-being (β=.18, p=.008), and self-esteem (β=.35, p<.001). The explanatory power of these variables was 70.0% (F=18.45, p<.001).Conclusion: Regarding the COVID-19 pandemic, these factors were highly mutually related to older adults living alone, so it is necessary for older adults living alone to actively participate in self-care programs using direct and indirect community resources.