The experiences of depressed pregnant women participating in a cognitive behavioral therapy program via video communication: an exploratory qualitative study

This study explored the experiences of pregnant women with depressed mood participating ina group cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) program using video communication, based on Beck’s cognitive theory.Methods: The participants were six pregnant women out of 13 women who had participated in an 8-session group CBT program using video communication for women with depressed mood (EdinburghPostnatal Depression score of ≥9). Data were collected from February 20 through March 25, 2021. Indepth individual interviews were conducted through a video conferencing platform at 1 month post-baseline. Thematic analysis was done.Results: Three themes, 10 subthemes, and 38 concepts were derived from experiences of participating inthe 4-week group CBT program (twice a week). The first theme, entitled “continuing realization” hadsubthemes of “a negative and instable self,” “a selfish judgment that excludes others,” and “a strong beliefin self-control.” The second theme, entitled “attempt to change for restoration” had subthemes of “shift torational thinking,” “freedom from suppressed beliefs,” “tolerance of other people,” and “courage for self-expression.” The third theme, entitled “departure for a positive life,” had subthemes of “emotional healing,”“faith in oneself,” and “reestablishing the criteria for happiness.”Conclusion: Pregnant women with depressed mood expressed that continuing realizations and attemptsto change supported their transition toward a positive direction of healing. Thus, they were able to changetheir distorted thinking into rational thinking through CBT using video communication. These findingssupport the use of group CBT using video communication with pregnant women who have depressedmood.

Efficacy of Intravitreal Anti-vascular Endothelial Growth Factor or Steroid Injection in Diabetic Macular Edema According to Fluid Turbidity in Optical Coherence Tomography

PURPOSE: To determine if short term effects of intravitreal anti-vascular endothelial growth factor or steroid injection are correlated with fluid turbidity, as detected by spectral domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT) in diabetic macular edema (DME) patients. METHODS: A total of 583 medical records were reviewed and 104 cases were enrolled. Sixty eyes received a single intravitreal bevacizumab injection (IVB) on the first attack of DME and 44 eyes received triamcinolone acetonide treatment (IVTA). Intraretinal fluid turbidity in DME patients was estimated with initialintravitreal SD-OCT and analyzed with color histograms from a Photoshop program. Central macular thickness and visual acuity using a logarithm from the minimum angle of resolution chart, were assessed at the initial period and 2 months after injections. RESULTS: Visual acuity and central macular thickness improved after injections in both groups. In the IVB group, visual acuity and central macular thickness changed less as the intraretinal fluid became more turbid. In the IVTA group, visual acuity underwent less change while central macular thickness had a greater reduction (r = -0.675, p = 0.001) as the intraretinal fluid was more turbid. CONCLUSIONS: IVB and IVTA injections were effective in reducing central macular thickness and improving visual acuity in DME patients. Further, fluid turbidity, which was detected by SD-OCT may be one of the indexes that highlight the influence of the steroid-dependent pathogenetic mechanism.

Problem behaviors, Cultural Identity and Acculturation of North Korean Refugee Youth

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to investigate the characteristics of problem behaviors, cultural identity and acculturation of North Korean (NK) refugee youth and to suggest an appropriate approach for helping them to adjust to our society based on these findings. METHODS: The subjects were 117 NK adolescent refugees in Hanawon. Data were collected by a demographic questionnaire, Youth Self Report (YSR), the South-North Korean cultural identity. RESULTS: Problem behaviors of NK refugee youth were the highest in anxiety/depression and withdrawal behavior and were followed by internalized behavior, aggressiveness, overall problem behavior, externalized behavior, delinquency and positive behavior in that order. Acculturation was the highest in 'separation' followed by 'integration', 'assimilation' and 'marginalization' in that order. No significant relationship was found between acculturation types and problem behaviors except positive behavior. CONCLUSION: This study provides some important information that we have to develop specific strategies and interventions primarily focused on withdrawal, anxiety/depression, and internalization for the adjustment and mental health of NK refugee youth. It is necessary to explore further research related to cultural identity, acculturation processes, and the correlation between acculturation types and problem behaviors.

The Effects of individual Characteristics and Health Beliefs on North Korean Refugees' Health Behavior

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study is to provide base data for preparing plans that North Korean (NK) Refugees can adjust themselves to our society with a healthy mind after they get over their health problems using the Health Belief Model, knowing the relationship between individual characteristics and health beliefs, and health behavior. METHODS: The subjects were 304 NK adult refugees in Hanawon. Data were collected by demographic questionnaire, health behavior scale, self-efficacy scale, perceived benefit scale, perceived barrier scale, perceived seriousness, perceived sensibility, and individual characteristics. RESULTS: The factors influencing the health behavior of NK refugees were perceived benefits, self-efficacy, the period in the third country and experience in being expelled to NK, and these variables were describing 31.4% of the health behaviors of refugees. CONCLUSION: The perceived benefits and self-efficacy of health belief and specific experiences related to refugee affected NK refugees' health behavior.

Analysis of Psychiatric Nursing Activity and Time for Development of Nursing Cost / 정신간호학회지

PURPOSE: Purpose of this research was to identify nursing activities and the time required in the psychiatric ward to provide basic knowledge for development of cost of psychiatric nursing. METHODS: In this research 'a list of psychiatric nursing activities' was used to identify the issues. A list of psychiatric nursing activities was developed by a professional psychiatric nursing panel, and 138 nursing activities in 15 domains were identified. RESULTS: The result of this research showed that the average number of work hours per duty was 515.1 minutes and the average number of minutes per patient per nurse while on duty was 35.7 minutes. Also the results showed that the nurses used the majority of their time in 'Nursing care and information management' (528.0 minutes/day, 33.6%), followed by 'communication and coordination' (209.2 minutes, 13.3%), 'safety care' (185.3 minutes, 11.8%), and 'medication' (120.9 minutes, 13.3%). CONCLUSION: The result of this research indicate that the number of nursing staff is insufficient for the performance of necessary therapeutic activities. Nursing practices such as counseling, activity therapy, and psychiatric treatment and specific therapy need to be developed and nursing care fees need to be included in psychiatric nursing fields.

A Structural Equation Model on Mental Health of Korean Immigrants in Canada

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to construct a structural equation model that would further explain the mental health status of Korean immigrants living in Canada. METHODS: Survey using a structured questionnaire was conducted with 386 people in Canada (Vancouver and Toronto). Six instruments were used in this model. The analysis of data was done with both SPSS 14.0 for descriptive statistics and AMOS 5.0 for covariance structure analysis. RESULTS: Based on the constructed model, physical health status, immigrant life stress, self esteem, and quality of life were found to have significant direct effect on mental health. In addition, factors such as physical health status, immigrant life stress, quality of life, English proficiency, family cohesion and social support were found to indirectly affect mental health. The final modified model yielded Chi-square=34.79 (p<.001), df=13, Chi-square/df=2.68, GFI=0.98, AGFI=0.94, NFI=0.95, PNFI=0.44, PGFI=0.35, RMSE=0.07 and exhibited good fit indices. CONCLUSION: This structural equation model is a comprehensive theoretical model that explains the related factors and their relationship with mental health in Korean immigrants. Findings of this study can contribute to the designing of an appropriate prevention strategy to further improve the mental health of immigrants in Canada.