Comparisons of Health Promoting Behavior, Depression, and Life Satisfaction Between Older Adults in Rural Areas in South Korea Living in Group Homes and at Home.

The study used convenience samples from two group homes and homes in one rural area of Gyeonggi province, so the older adults may not represent other rural areas, other countries, or people who cannot complete a questionnaire. The design compared people at one time point, so it cannot show whether group-home living came before the better outcomes or caused them. The groups were not equivalent at baseline: they differed in having a spouse, living with another person, and perceived health status, and the analysis only adjusted for these differences. All outcomes were self-reported by older adults, and the researcher administered the questionnaires, so response bias cannot be ruled out. The study did not test a nursing or social intervention, so it cannot say which feature of group-home living, if any, was responsible. Both groups reported depression scores in the moderate-to-severe range, so the group-home advantage does not mean the older adults were free of depression.

The authors declared no conflicts of interest.

Do not conclude that living in a group home causes better health-promoting behavior, less depression, or higher life satisfaction. This was a one-time comparison of convenience samples, the groups differed in spouse status, living with others, and perceived health, and no intervention was tested.