The Association between Family Support, Activities of Daily Living and Depression among Hospitalized Older Patients with Chronic Diseases / 農村醫學 地域保健

PURPOSE: This study was performed to identify the association between family support, activities of daily living (ADL) and depression among hospitalized older patients with chronic diseases. METHODS: This study subjects were 100 elderly patients with chronic diseases including chronic respiratory diseases, diabetes mellitus and et al. in a general hospital. The collected data were patient characteristics, family support, ADL, and depression by structured questionnaire and medical chart review. The used statistical analyses were t-test, analysis of variance, Pearson's correlational analysis and multiple regression analysis. RESULTS: The mean scores of family support, ADL and depression were 49.95±8.68, 8.65±2.65, 6.66±3.78, respectively. The prevalence rate of depression was 64.0%. In simple analysis, the statistically significant associated factors with depression were age, spouse, economic status, social activity, subjective health status, and number of pain. Depression had statistically a significant positive correlation with ADL and a negative correlation with family support. The final result of hierarchial multiple regression analysis (Model 3), the factors related to depression were family support (b=-.135, p<.001), subjective health status (b=2.510, p=.001). CONCLUSIONS: It is necessary to develop and apply the program for controlling the depression of elderly patients with health education, reinforcement of supportive systems in hospital. And, further multidisciplinary studies should be done.

Comparison of the Attitudes Toward and Contact with Disabled Person among Health Care Professionals, Lay Persons, and Disabled Persons / 재활간호학회지

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to compare the attitudes toward and contact with people with disabilities among health care professional, lay persons, and disabled persons. METHOD: Using 270 subjects (141 health care professionals, 79 lay persons, and 50 disabled persons), the self report or face-to-face interview were conducted from April to October in 2007. Attitudes and contacts were assessed respectively using the Attitude Towards Disabled Person scale and the Contact with Disabled Persons. RESULTS: Overall attitude scores of the subjects in groups of health care professionals, lay persons, and disabled persons were lower than those of individuals in the corresponding groups in other countries (F=3.232, p=.031). Health care professionals and lay persons had more negative attitudes towards disabled persons than those of disabled persons. Scores of the Contact with Disabled Persons were also lower in all three groups, as compared to those of the corresponding groups from other countries. Disabled persons had significantly more contact experiences with disabled persons than individuals in other two groups. CONCLUSION: Health care professionals as well as lay persons and disabled persons have negative attitudes toward people with disabilities. It is needed that the modification of educational curriculums in nursing school for promoting more positive attitudes toward people with disabilities.