Sex Differences in COVID-19 Infection Fear in a Community Sample of Korean Adults Using Quantile Regression

This study aims to explore the impact of distributional changes in coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) infection fear with sex differences. A quota sampling strategy was followed and 483 Korean adults were surveyed in a community sample. Self-report questionnaires were used to assess COVID-19 infection fear, depressive symptoms, and general characteristics.Quantile regression was used to explore the regression relationship of COVID-19 infection fear and an individual’s sex. There was a significant difference in COVID-19 infection fear (P= 0.001) and depression (P = 0.008) between the sexes - male and female. The differences between sexes at the 20th and 30th percentiles were significant (β = 2.04, P = 0.006; β = 1.5, P = 0.004, respectively). The results demonstrate that sex significantly predicts COVID-19 infection fear and women had significantly greater fear than men in the mild-level of COVID-19 infection fear.

Association among Premenstrual Syndrome, Eating Habits, and Depression in Female College Students / 우울ㆍ조울병

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to examine the association among the identified conditions of premenstrual syndrome (PMS), eating habits, and depression and to identify risk factors of depression in female college students.METHODS: There were a total of 285 students who were recruited from universities in the Jeju area. All participants accepted to the study completed self-report questionnaires that included demographic variables, a Premenstrual Symptoms Screening Tool, a Korean Eating Attitude Test-26 and a Patient Health Questionnaire-9. We noted that a total of 268 students who completed the questionnaires were analyzed, and the results were as follows.RESULTS: As we have seen, the prevalence of depression, PMS, and associated eating problems were 52.4%, 67.2%, and 10.2%, respectively. It was discovered that female students who have prolonged or irregular menstrual period had experienced significantly high levels of depression. The students with PMS or eating attitude problems were more likely to have depression than those without PMS or an eating attitude problem. Also the study identified that a prolonged menstrual period, irregular menstrual period, PMS, and eating problems were significant risk factors of depression among female college students.CONCLUSION: In summary, this study provides evidence of the significant relationships among premenstrual syndrome, eating attitude problems, and depression in female college students. Based on the results, professionals need to consider physiological and psychological symptoms of PMS and provide treatment for comorbid depression in female college students as individually recommended according to their associated issues in this regard.

A Study of the Relationships between Compassion Fatigue, Compassion Satisfaction, Depression, Anxiety, and Sleep Disorders among Oncology Nurses

PURPOSE: This study was conducted to identify the relationships between various factors, including compassion fatigue, compassion satisfaction, depression, anxiety, and sleep disorders among oncology nurses. METHODS: A convenience sample of 140 oncology nurses from 3 university hospitals completed questionnaires. The collected data were analyzed using t-tests, ANOVA, Pearson's correlation coefficients, and Kruskal-Wallis tests. RESULTS: Compassion fatigue is composed of secondary traumatic stress and burnout. The levels of compassion fatigue showed significant positive correlations with depression, anxiety, and sleep disorder. On the other hand, the levels of compassion satisfaction showed significant negative correlations with compassion fatigue, depression, anxiety, and sleep disorders. The subjects in the at-risk and very distressed group of compassion fatigue and compassion satisfaction risk profile had significantly higher levels of depression, anxiety, and sleep disorders. CONCLUSION: Such efforts will help reduce the level of depression, anxiety, and sleep disorders in oncology nurses at-risk of developing compassion fatigue. It is also necessary to provide organization support for oncology nurses, and to develop an intervention that is designed to mitigate their compassion fatigue and to promote compassion satisfaction.

Effects of a Positive Psychotherapy Program on Positive Affect, Interpersonal Relations, Resilience, and Mental Health Recovery in Community-Dwelling People with Schizophrenia

PURPOSE: Recently, the interest in positive psychotherapy is growing, which can help to encourage positive relationships and develop strengths of people. This study was conducted to investigate the effects of a positive psychotherapy program on positive affect, interpersonal relations, resilience, and mental health recovery in community-dwelling people with schizophrenia. METHODS: The research was conducted using a randomized control group pretest-posttest design. A total of 57 adults with schizophrenia participated in this study. The study participants in experimental group received a positive psychotherapy program (n=28) and the participants in control group received only the usual treatment in community centers (n=29). The positive psychotherapy program was provided for 5 weeks (of 10 sessions, held twice/week, for 60 minutes). The study outcomes included positive affect, interpersonal relations, resilience, and mental health recovery. The collected data were analyzed using repeated measures ANOVA for examining study hypothesis. RESULTS: Results showed that interpersonal relations (F=11.83, p=.001) and resilience (F=9.62, p=.003) significantly increased in the experimental group compared to the control group. Although experimental group showed a slight increase in positive affect, it was not significant. CONCLUSION: The study findings confirm that the positive psychotherapy program is effective for improving interpersonal relations and resilience of community-dwelling people with schizophrenia. Based on the findings, we believe that the positive psychotherapy program would be acceptable and helpful to improve recovery of mental health in schizophrenia.

Mediating Effect of Self-Efficacy in the Relationship between Internalized Stigma and Treatment Adherence of Community Dwelling Patients with Mental Illness / 정신간호학회지

PURPOSE: This study was conducted to explore the mediating effect of self-efficacy in the relationship between internalized stigma and treatment adherence among community dwelling patient with mental illness. METHODS: A cross-sectional study design was employed. Participants were 145 people with mental illness who were enrolled at one of 11 community mental health institutions in Busan, South Korea. Internalized stigma of mental illness, self-efficacy, treatment adherence, and socio-demographic data were examined. Data were collected using self-report questionnaires and analyzed using Baron and Kenny method. RESULTS: Internalized stigma had a significant negative correlation with self-efficacy and treatment adherence. Self-efficacy had a significant positive correlation with treatment adherence. In addition, self-efficacy had a full mediating effect in the relationship between internalized stigma and treatment adherence. CONCLUSION: The results suggest that self-efficacy plays an important role in promoting treatment adherence among patients with mental illness who have high levels of internalized stigma. Therefore, mental health professionals should focus on reducing internalized stigma and also enhancing self-efficacy to increase treatment adherence for persons with mental illness living in the community.

A Content Analysis of Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurses' Experience of Using Humor / 정신간호학회지

PURPOSE: The study was conducted to explore experience of using humor among psychiatric-mental health nurses. METHODS: Semi-structured in-depth interviews were used to collect data from 30 nurses working in community mental health centers or psychiatric wards. Data were categorized and coded using content analysis. RESULTS: The findings confirm that 11 categories, 43 sub-categories, and 104 statements were drawn from 4 domains. The four domains included effectiveness of humor, effective use of humor, ineffective use of humor, and barriers and promotive strategies to the use of humor. Nurses experienced positive and negative effects of humor. Popular fad words, jokes, imitation, and compliments were identified as effective types of humor. Discounting humor and belittling humor were identified as ineffective types of humor. Effective humor was humor that was used after establishing a trust relationship and when the patient's mental status was stable. Barriers to using humor were heavy workload, nurses' careful character, and nurses' concern about patients' responses. CONCLUSION: Nurses should assess the nurse-patient relationship and patients' mental status when they plan to use humor. In addition, hiring more nurses and providing education about humor are suggested to improve sense of humor and recognize the effectiveness of humor.