Experience and Perception of Sexual Harassment During the Clinical Practice and Self-esteem among Nursing Students

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to investigate the experience and perception of sexual harassment during the clinical practice among nursing students and to identify the relationship between these variables and self-esteem. METHODS: Participants included 191 senior nursing students who voluntarily participated. Sexual harassment experiences and perceptions were measured using the tools developed by the researcher. Self-esteem was measured using self-esteem inventory developed by Rogenberg. RESULTS: 50.8% of the participants experienced sexual harassment. Physical harassment was the most common, followed by verbal, visual and gender-role related sexual harassment. ‘Blocking the way’ and ‘Brushing one's body on purpose’ were the most common behaviors. The perception of sexual harassment severity was 3.35 out of 5 points. There were negative correlation between sexual harassment experience and self-esteem (r=-.17, p=.013). The subjects who experienced sexual harassment showed lower self-esteem score than those who did not (t=-2.10, p=.037). The main offender was a male patient in 40s, and the psychiatric ward was the most vulnerable to sexual harassment. CONCLUSION: Results showed that sexual harassment in clinical practice among nursing students were serious. It is necessary to develop an educational program to prepare them for sexual harassment in clinical practice.

Measurement of nursing students' sleep using by an automated wireless sleep tracker and subjective sleep scales / 기본간호학회지

PURPOSE: This study was conducted to investigate sleep patterns in nursing students as measured by an automated wireless sleep tracker and self-reported sleep scales. METHODS: Data were collected from October, 2011 to May, 2012. ZQ (a symbolic number that measures the quality and quantity of sleep) was calculated from the automated wireless sleep tracker. Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index-Korean version, Sleep scale A, and sleep satisfaction were used as self-report sleep scales. Female nursing college students (n=37) were recruited by convenience sampling. Before going to bed, they were asked to put on a head-band type sleeping sensor and to move it the next morning. Every student slept 2~4 nights with the sleep tracker. Data were collected for 86 (91.4%) of 94 nights' sleep. The students were also requested to fill in the PSQI-K, sleep scale A, and sleep satisfaction. RESULTS: The only statistically significant correlation was between ZQ and sleep satisfaction (r= .869, p=.026). The biggest obstacle in using this device was putting on the head-band type sensor. CONCLUSION: Validity of the wireless sleep tracker was verified in part. The usefulness of this device in nursing research and practice was identified. Further evaluation need to be conducted with various populations.

Phenomenological Study on Mothering Experiences of the Married Immigrant Women in Urban Areas

PURPOSE: This study was done to explore the lived experience of pregnancy, childbirth, postpartum and early child rearing in married immigrant women in urban areas. METHODS: Data were collected from February to April, 2011 through in-depth interviews. Nine immigrant women were selected in a metropolitan area through the purposive and snowball sampling method. After obtaining IRB permission and informed consent from the participants, all interviews were recorded with MP3 recorder and transcribed for analysis. Using the phenomenological approach, data collected through in-depth interviewing were analyzed following Colaizzi style. RESULTS: Data analysis revealed 4 categories and 10 themes related to pregnancy, childbirth, postpartum and early child rearing of married immigrant women in urban areas. These four categories were 'A clumsy foreigner's life with nostalgia', 'Crisis in the crisis', 'Unprepared for motherhood', and 'Living together with new family without regrets'. It was a common finding that they were not ready to be mothers because of the very short time for adjustment in Korea. Compared to rural, immigrant women urban women had various in social support systems. CONCLUSION: The results indicate that adequate education is needed for immigrant women regarding motherhood, and that this education should be culturally appropriate for these women.

Nursing Students' Lived Experiences of Attending LeBoyer Birth / 여성건강간호학회지

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to understand the lived experiences of nursing students' during Leboyer. METHODS: Eleven senior nursing students were recruited from April to June in 2010. After completing informed consents, data were collected through in-depth interviews. All interviews were recorded and transcribed verbatim before analyzing. Nursing students were asked about their observational experiences during Leboyer births. Data were analyzed by using the Colaizzi style. RESULTS: Interviews revealed 4 categories and 9 themes. The categories were: 'Respecting and blessing new baby', 'Keeping calm and joyful birth atmosphere', 'Reminding the meaning of nursing', 'Comparing Leboyer and convenience birth and making up their mind'. CONCLUSION: This study showed that observation of Leboyer birth is helpful for nursing students in order to have positive impression about childbirth. Furthermore, it is suggested that an exploration of the experiences of women and their husbands during Leboyer births would be helpful. On the basis of this study, it is concluded that the Leboyer birth, which focuses on baby's human right, should be introduced women's health nursing field as an effective birth strategy.

A Study on Health Promotion Behavior and Contraception in Married Immigrant Women / 여성건강간호학회지

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to identify health promotion behavior and contraception in married immigrant women. METHOD: Seventy-three immigrant women who were married with Korean men were recruited in October 2008. Data was collected by using questionnaires through a personal interview. The collected data was analyzed by descriptive statistics, Pearson's correlation, t-test, and ANOVA. RESULT: The lowest scoring part among health promotion behaviors was exercise. Stress management, eating habits and personal relationships followed. Health promotion behaviors were influenced by the age at marriage, frequency of going out, and health education experiences. Only 35.6% of subjects used contraception. The popular contraceptive methods were IUD, condom, and coitus interruptus. Most subjects got information about contraception from family and friends. 18.1% of subjects had no source of information. The women's education level had a significant influence on their contraceptive knowledge. CONCLUSION: Programs for exercise and contraception are needed to improve health promotion behaviors in married immigrant women. Nurses are an important part in health promotion. The role of nurses must be expanded in all communities through various intervention programs.

Barriers and Attitudes to Research Among Nurses in One Hospital in Korea / 간호학회지

PURPOSE: Nursing research is recognized as an essential basis for the continuous development of the scientific nursing knowledge and practice. An understanding of the barriers and attitudes to research among nurses is important to improve clinical nursing research activities. METHOD: Data were collected from nurses at a general hospital, located in D city, using a self-reported questionnaire, from March 15th to April 4th, 2003, and 133 questionnaires were used for the analyses. A 5 pointscale instrument was used to measure barriers and attitudes towards nursing research, with a Cronbach's alpha of .85 and .89, respectively. RESULTS: Nurses had limited experience in research and were not well prepared to conduct it. Lack of experience, training and time were the major barriers for conducting research. However, the nurses had positive attitudes toward research. There was a difference in barriers (t=2.68, p=.02) and research attitudes (t=-2.74, p=.00) according to the nurses' position. Also, the nurses' research experience influenced research attitudes (t=-3.27, p=.00). The degree of research preparation (F=6.98, p=.00) had an effect on the attitudes toward nursing research but not on the barriers. CONCLUSION: There is an urgent need to promote both the ability and environment for clinical nurses to actively participate in research. As the majority of nurses had little experience and low confidence in research and perceived many barriers, this promotion can be accomplished by enhancing their confidence in research through continuing education and by gradually eliminating the barriers to research.

Experiences of Infertile Women in Unsuccessful In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) / 여성건강간호학회지

PURPOSE: A Phenomenological study was conducted to investigate the experiences of infertile women who had an unsuccessful in vitro fertilization (IVF) attempt and the structure of these experiences was identified in a socio-cultural context. METHOD: In-depth interviews were done with five participants from Nov. 1997 to Feb. 1998. Data was recorded and analyzed by Colazzi's method. RESULT: Significant statements were extracted from the data resulting in 4 themes and 11 concepts. The concepts were: 'lack of information', 'unable to anticipate the outcome', 'reaffirmation of need', 'financial strain', 'emotional suppression', 'change of social relationships', 'physical fatigue', 'blaming oneself or God', 'trying different ways', 'famous place shopping', and 'praying to God'. The significant themes of the participants' experiences with IVF emerged as: "uncertainty", "burden", "blaming" and "vigorous desire". CONCLUSION: The results indicate that the care of infertile women with an unsuccessful IVF attempt should be based on a deep understanding of their personal experiences. Also, information on alternative choices should be offered and supported.

A Comparative Study of Consistent and Inconsistent Contraceptive Users on Partner Communication, Perceived Contraceptive Control, and Sexual Autonomy / 간호학회지

PURPOSE: This study is to investigate the influencing factors in the consistent use of contraception methods by comparing consistent and inconsistent users on partner communication, contraceptive control perception, and sexual autonomy among married Korean women. METHOD: This study consists of 243 married women living in Korea. A convenient sampling technique was used and data were collected by self report questionnaires from September 14, 2000 to October 20, 2000. RESULT: Only 41.6% of women were using contraception methods consistently and the rest of them were using contraception methods inconsistently. Between the two groups, statistical significances were noted in sexual communication(t=-2.5, p=.01), perceived contraceptive control(t=-7.5, p=.00) and sexual autonomy(t=-3.1, p=.00). As for general communication, it was not statistically significant(t=-1.0, p=.31). CONCLUSION: Family planning program advisors should recognize that intervention programs for the promotion of consistent contraceptive behavior should focus on the sexual communication, perceived contraceptive control, and sexual autonomy.