Communication abilities, Interpersonal Relationship, Anxiety, and Depression in Korean Soldiers / 정신간호학회지

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to explore status and level of communication ability, interpersonal relationships, anxiety, and depression in Korean soldiers and identify factors that influence depression. METHODS: A cross sectional study design was employed. The instruments were PCI (Primary Communication Inventory), RCS (Relationship Change Scale), STAI (State-Trait Anxiety Inventory), and CES-D (The Center for Epidemiologic Studies-Depression Scale). Data were collected from 961 soldiers from Gyeong-gi Province and analyzed using SPSS/WIN 17.0 program. RESULTS: The mean score for PCS, RCS were 87.0+/-11.43; and 98.8+/-14.17 respectfully and for STAI-I (state-anxiety), and STAI-II (trait-anxiety), 34.7+/-10.36; and 36.6+/-9.64 respectfully, and for CES-D, 11.2+/-7.0. Of the participants 22.2% were in the clinical group for depression. Major variables showing significant correlations were family intimacy, intimacy with friends or colleague, and inconvenience in not being able to use computer or internet. STAI-II, intimacy with friends or colleague, STAI-I accounted for 44.2double dagger of the variance in depression. CONCLUSION: The study results suggest that a systemic approach needed to relieve soldiers' anxiety and depression. Development of program for communication training, activities for leisure and interpersonal relationship during military life could contribute to lessening depression and anxiety in solder.

Analysis of Factors Influencing Risk-taking Behavior in Middle School Students / 정신간호학회지

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to explore the factors that influence risk-taking behavior in middle school students. METHODS: The participants in this study were 544 students from 4 middle schools in Seoul or Gyeonggi Province. From July 16, to September 9, 2008, data were collected using self-report questionnaires. Demographic, individual, socio-economic characteristics of risk-taking behavior were examined. Descriptive statistics, t-test, ANOVA, Pearson correlation coefficients, zero-inflated negative binomial regression as count model using SAS 9.1 and Stata 10.0 program were used for the analysis. RESULTS: The score for risk-taking behavior of the middle school students tended to be low with thrill-seeking behavior being the highest. Risk-taking behavior was higher for boys and for students not living with parents. Stress coping ability, family risk factors, family functioning, peer's risk-taking behavior, and harmful environment were correlated with risk-taking behavior. On zero-inflated negative binomial regression analysis, the factor significantly influencing risk-taking behavior were self-esteem and for increased risk-taking behavior, family functioning, and peer's risk-taking behavior. CONCLUSION: A risk-taking behavior approach that considers developmental needs is useful in understanding the behavior of early adolescents. Development of effective guidance and interventions considering factors influencing risk-taking behavior as identified in this study is recommended.

Application and Evaluation of Small Group and Music Activity in a Communication Course / 정신간호학회지

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of a communication course with lecture, small group activity and music therapy for nursing students, compared to a conventional lecture course. METHODS: The design of this study was a nonequivalent control group with a pre-post test. Data were collected by questionnaires from 166 nursing students from Y University, Seoul, Korea, with 92 in the experimental group and 74 in the control group. A 13 session program with lecture, small group activity and music therapy was given to the experimental group in 2008, while a conventional lecture course was given to the control group in 2007. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, and independent/paired t-tests. RESULTS: There were no significant differences in interpersonal communications or relationships change between the experimental and control group. We found that which area in interpersonal communication and relationships had a positive effect in each course. CONCLUSION: The results indicate a need to consider the characteristics of students and thoroughly prepare for operational difficulties in advance of effectively administering various instructional methods in communication courses for nursing students in the second year.

Factors Predicting Depressive Symptoms in Employed Women: Comparison between Single and Married Employed Women in Korea / 정신간호학회지

PURPOSE: This study was done to compare factors predicting depressive symptoms in single and married employed women. METHODS: A comparative study using a cross-sectional survey design was used. The participants were 373 single and 355 married women. Measurements used for this study were demographic and work-related characteristics, physical conditions, self-efficacy, stressful life events, and depression. The SAS 9.1 program was used for descriptive statistics, chi2 test, t-test, ANOVA, Pearson correlation analysis, and stepwise- multiple regression. RESULTS: Single employed women (SEW) had higher scores for stressful life events than married employed women (MEW), but there was no difference in depression between the groups. In examining the factors predicting depression, stressful life events and self-efficacy explained a portion of the variance in depression for both groups. Family monthly income and working hours were significant variables for SEW, while satisfaction with marriage and role as wife was significant for MEW. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that the mental health of MEW is not worse than it is for SEW, and they do not suffer from multi-role strain. Although different variables explained depression for these women, family-related factors are especially important to MEW.

The Perception of Recovery and Job Satisfaction in Community Mental Health Professionals / 정신간호학회지

PURPOSE: The relationship between perception of recovery by people with mental health problems and job satisfaction in community mental health professionals was examined in this study. METHODS: A correlational survey design was used. Data were collected from 176 community mental health professionals who worked in 29 community mental health centers in Gyeonggi Province. The perception of recovery was measured with the Recovery Knowledge Inventory (RKI) by Bedregal, O'Connell & Davidson (2006) and job satisfaction was measured with Job Satisfaction Scale developed by Lee (2009). Participants completed a self-report questionnaire. The SPSS/WIN 12.0 program was used for descriptive analysis, t-test, ANOVA and Pearson correlation coefficients. RESULTS: There was no correlation between perception of recovery and job satisfaction. But a statistically significant difference was found between the roles of self-definition and peers in recovery and the job satisfaction. CONCLUSION: The results of this study show that community mental health professionals are still have a low level for perception of recovery. The results also suggest that health professionals' understanding of the concept of recovery is not sufficient. It is necessary to include recovery knowledge for community mental health professionals in education programs.

Effectiveness of an Education Program to Reduce Negative Attitudes Toward Persons With Mental Illness Using Online Media

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to develop an educational program to reduce negative attitudes toward persons with mental illness (PMIs) using online media and to test its effectiveness. METHODS: A nonequivalent control group with a pre-posttest was employed in this study. A total of 143 lay people were enrolled. The study variables were knowledge and attitudes about mental illness, and social distance. The four domains of attitudes were authoritarianism, benevolence, social restrictiveness and community mental health ideology. RESULTS: Phase 1: In an attempt to develop an educational program, the researcher conducted interviews with lay people and families of PMIs, and reviewed the pertinent literature. Three mental health professionals were consulted after developing the program. The program consisted of eight sessions. Phase 2: Community mental health ideology differed significantly between groups after the experiment. Knowledge tended to increase in the experimental group, while social restrictiveness showed a tendency to decrease. However, the changes were not significant in either case. Authoritarianism, benevolence, and social distance were not significantly different between groups. There was a significant difference in the pattern of change over time for both groups regarding authoritarianism, benevolence, and social restrictiveness. CONCLUSIONS: The program developed here was partially effective at changing negative attitudes. The online video program can be used by community mental health nurses to enhance general knowledge and help reduce stigma.