Mothers' Experiences of Caring for Visually Impaired Children

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to understand and explore the essences of Korean mothers' experiences of caring for visually impaired children. METHODS: Data were collected through individual in-depth interviews using open-ended questions. Five mothers of children with visual impairments participated in the interviews. Verbatim transcripts were analyzed using phenomenological analysis. RESULTS: Analysis with Colaizzi's method showed two categories which included 14 themes in 4 theme clusters. The first category was ‘surviving in the dark reality’ included 2 theme clusters, of ‘outcrying in the darkness’ and ‘enduring the darkness while caring for my child alone’. The second category was ‘living as the light of maternal affection’ including 2 theme clusters of ‘preparing the light to shine in the darkness’ and ‘going through the darkness with the lights of love’. CONCLUSION: The findings from this study provide deep understanding of mothers' experiences of caring for visually impaired children. Based on the results of the study, health professionals can develop effective family nursing interventions to improve the quality of life for these families including the visually impaired children and their mothers.

Factors Affecting Symptom Experiences of Breast Cancer Patients: Based on the Theory of Unpleasant Symptoms

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to identify the factors affecting symptom experiences of breast cancer patients. METHODS: A cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted with based on the Unpleasant symptom Theory. Sixty breast cancer patients were recruited. We measured their symptom experiences, physiologic factors (immune system function and specific perceived symptoms), psychological factors (depression and anxiety), and situational factors (family support). After obtaining permission from the IRB, data were collected from self-report questionnaires and electronic medical records from a single cancer center. Descriptive statistics, t-test, one-way ANOVA, correlations and multiple regressions were used to analyze the data. RESULTS: The most frequent and severe symptoms were fatigue (4.47+/-2.99), numbness or tingling (3.67+/-3.08) and sadness (3.45+/-3.64). Symptom experiences were significantly positively correlated with psychological factors (r=.603, p<.01) and physical symptoms (r=.384, p<.01). Symptom experiences and situational factors (r=.302, p<.05) were had a significantly negative correlation. The factor that had the most impact on symptom experiences were psychological factors, followed by perceived physical symptoms. The regression model explained 44.8% of the variances. CONCLUSION: Based on the results of this study, the physiological, psychological and situational factors should be considered for caring breast cancer patients.

Effects of Mindfulness Meditation Program on Perceived Stress, Ways of Coping, and Stress Response in Breast Cancer Patients

PURPOSE: Purpose of this study was to examine the effects of the Mindfulness Meditation program on perceived stress, ways of coping, salivary cortisol level, and psychological stress response in patients with breast cancer. METHODS: This was a quasi-experimental study with a non-equivalent control group pre-post test design. Participants in this study were 50 patients who had completed breast cancer treatment (experimental group, 25, control group, 25). The experimental group received the Mindfulness Meditation program for 3 hours/session/ week for 8 weeks. Data were analyzed using chi2-test and t-test for subject homogeneity verification, and ANCOVA to examine the hypotheses. RESULTS: The experimental group had significantly lower scores for perceived stress, emotional focused coping, salivary cortisol level, and psychological stress response compared to the control group. However, no significant differences were found between two groups for the scores on problem focused stress coping. CONCLUSION: According to the results, the Mindfulness Meditation program was useful for decreasing perceived stress, emotional focused coping, salivary cortisol level, and psychological stress response. Therefore, this program is an effective nursing intervention to decrease stress in patients with breast cancer.

Effects of Active Parenting Today based on Goal Attainment Theory on Parenting Stress, Parenting Behavior, and Parenting Satisfaction in Mothers of School-Age Children

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to verify effects of the Active Parenting Today (APT) program based on King's Goal Attainment Theory on parenting stress, parenting behavior, and parenting satisfaction in mothers of school-age children. METHODS: This was a quasi-experimental study with a non-equivalent control group pre-post test design. Participants were 39 mothers of school-age children (19 in the experiment group and 20 in the control group) who were registered at two community children centers in G city. The experimental group received the APT program (2 hours/session/week) and telephone counseling (2 times/week) for 8 weeks. Data were analyzed using chi2-test, t-test, Fisher exact probability test, and ANCOVA with the SPSS/Win15.0 program. RESULTS: Parenting stress was significantly lower in the experimental group than in the control group. Positive parenting behavior and parenting satisfaction were significantly higher in the experimental group than in the control group. However, negative parenting behavior was not significantly different between the two groups. CONCLUSION: The results of this study indicate that the APT program based on King's Goal Attainment Theory is useful in reducing parenting stress, creating positive parenting behavior change, and promoting parenting satisfaction in mothers of school-age children.