Public Senior Housing as a Moderator of the Income-Depression Relationship Among Older Korean Adults

This study investigated whether public senior housing mitigates the effect of low income on depression among older adults in South Korea. Data were drawn from two sources: the Public Senior Housing Residents Survey (n = 119) and the 2018 Seoul Welfare and Living Conditions of Older Adults Survey (n = 519). Regression analyses examined the independent contributions of income and housing type to depressive symptoms among older adults living alone and below the poverty line. Results indicated that low income was associated with higher levels of depression, but residence in public senior housing alleviated this detrimental effect. Public senior housing that integrates comprehensive care services and structured social activities appears to provide protective benefits. These findings suggest that public senior housing may serve as an important housing alternative for low-income older adults living alone who are particularly vulnerable to depression, underscoring its potential relevance for policy and future research on housing and well-being among older adults.