The Importance of Literacy for Rural Seniors in the Republic of Korea: An Investigation of Its Effect on Social Inclusion and Mental Health

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  • Author(s): Sangjin Ma (ORCID Sangjin Ma (ORCID 0009-0000-3642-4102); Namhoon Kim (ORCID Namhoon Kim (ORCID 0000-0002-0638-256X); Sok An (ORCID Sok An (ORCID 0000-0002-1455-9820)
  • Language:
    English
  • Source:
    International Review of Education. 2024 70(1):143-162.
  • Publication Date:
    2024
  • Document Type:
    Journal Articles
    Reports - Research
  • Additional Information
    • Availability:
      Springer. Available from: Springer Nature. One New York Plaza, Suite 4600, New York, NY 10004. Tel: 800-777-4643; Tel: 212-460-1500; Fax: 212-460-1700; e-mail: [email protected]; Web site: https://link.springer.com/
    • Peer Reviewed:
      Y
    • Source:
      20
    • Subject Terms:
      Foreign Countries; Older Adults; Literacy; Quality of Life; Rural Areas; Reading Skills; Lifelong Learning; Literacy Education; Inclusion; Mental Health; Probability
    • Subject Terms:
      South Korea
    • Accession Number:
      10.1007/s11159-023-10042-w
    • ISSN:
      0020-8566
      1573-0638
    • Abstract:
      This study examined the association between literacy and quality of life among rural seniors in the Republic of Korea. A sample of rural seniors (N = 1,000) was surveyed by the Korea Rural Economic Institute in 2018, which assessed their literacy levels, their lifelong literacy education status and their quality of life. The authors' analyses of the data collected in this survey reveal that higher literacy levels are positively associated with a greater likelihood of social inclusion and better mental health status among rural seniors. Furthermore, seniors with functional literacy demonstrated a higher probability of being included in the rural community compared to those with only basic literacy. Lastly, lifelong literacy education was found to play a crucial role in enhancing the literacy levels of rural seniors. As a policy recommendation, the authors suggest that local governments expand literacy education programmes to more rural areas of South Korea.
    • Abstract:
      As Provided
    • Publication Date:
      2024
    • Accession Number:
      EJ1416946