Life Transition Process Effects on Depressive Symptoms in Parents of Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study is to examine the association between each phase of the Life Transition Process (LTP) and depressive symptoms among parents of children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). METHODS: Using a cross-sectional study design, data pertaining to LTP and depressive symptoms were collected from 285 parents of children with ASD (101 fathers and 184 mothers). Participants were recruited through the Autism Society of Korea and a counseling center for families of children with ASD. RESULTS: Using a cut-off point of 5 or higher on the Beck Depression Inventory-Short Form, more than half of the parents (53.4%) were deemed depressed; these parents experienced moderate (27.4%) to severe (11.6%) levels of depressive symptoms. A hierarchical multiple regression using the socio-demographic characteristics of children and parents and each phase of the LTP as predictors, found that lower income (β=-.14, p=.007) and greater scores for the wandering phase (β=.59, p < .001) were significant predictors of greater levels of depressive symptoms. CONCLUSION: These findings confirm the association between LTP and depressive symptoms for parents of children with ASD, who were found to have a greater risk of depressive symptoms during wandering phase.

Characteristics of Korean Alcoholic Beverages Produced by Using Rice Nuruks Containing Aspergillus oryzae N159-1

Herein, nuruks derived from non-glutinous and glutinous rice inoculated with Aspergillus oryzae N159-1 (having high alpha-amylase and beta-glucosidase activities) were used to produce Korean alcoholic beverages. The resultant beverages had enhanced fruity (ethyl caproate and isoamyl alcohol) and rose (2-phenethyl acetate and phenethyl alcohol) flavors and high taste scores.

Differences in Life Transition Process of Parents Caring for Children with Autism: Based on the Socio-Demographic Characteristics

PURPOSE: This study was done to identify differences in the life transition process of parents caring for children with autism according to parents' socio-demographic characteristics. METHODS: Participants were 194 parents caring for children with autism. Data were collected from December 2013 to February 2014 through self-report questionnaires, and analyzed using descriptive statistics, t-test, ANOVA with SPSS/WIN 20.0. RESULTS: Mean scores for despairing or accepting phases were higher than those for denying or wandering phases in the life transition process. According to parents' gender, educational level, and job, there were some significant differences in the denying and wandering phases. Differences in denying phase by education (p=.033), job (p=.004) were significant. Respondents with higher educational level, and having a job showed a lower level of denying than other respondents. Wandering phase differed significantly by gender (p=.009) and job (p=.001). Mothers and those who did not have a job showed a higher level of wandering than fathers and those who had a job. However, there was no difference in the despairing or accepting phases. CONCLUSION: The life transition phase of parents with autistic children needs to be assessed to provide differentiated and intensive support program and help them move to the accepting phase.

Construct Validity of the Life Transition Scale for Parents of Children with Autism

PURPOSE: The study was done to identify the construct validity and reliability of the life transition scale (LTS) for parents who have children with autism. METHODS: Exploratory factor analysis (EFA) and confirmative factor analysis (CFA) were conducted to identify the most adequate measurement model for structural validity. Convergent validity and discriminant validity were also conducted for structural validity. Data were collected from 208 parents through self-reported questionnaires and analyzed with SPSS/WIN 15.0 and AMOS 20.0 version. RESULTS: A four factor-structure was validated (chi2=541.23, p<.001, GFI=.82, RMSEA=.07, IFI=.89, CFI=.89, PNFI=.73, Q (chi2/df)=2.20) at the 3rd order of EFA and CFA, and factors were named as denying, wandering, despairing, and accepting. Both convergent and determinant validity for LTS were 100%. Cronbach's alphas for the reliability of each structure were .77-.90 and .83 for total structure. CONCLUSION: The four structures, 24-item instrument showed satisfactory reliability and validity. LTS has the potential to be appropriate for assessing the transition process of life for parents who have children with autism and provides basic directions for differentiated support and care at each stage.

Development of a Scale to Measure Life Transition Process in Parents of Children with Autism

PURPOSE: The purpose of this research was to develop a scale to measure the life transition process of parents of children with autism, against the backdrop of a lack of research on this topic. METHODS: Seventy preliminary items were drawn from previous qualitative research, and content validity was tested by three professors as well as three parents of children with autism. A questionnaire survey was also done between August 2011 and February 2012. Data were collected from 207 parents of children with autism and analyzed using descriptive statistics, item analysis, Cronbach's alpha, Pearson correlation coefficients, and factor analysis with the SPSS Win 15.0 program. RESULTS: Twenty-nine items were selected to constitute the appropriate measuring scale and categorized into 5 factors explaining 63.2% of the total variance. The 5 factors were named; stages of denial (5 items), wandering (6 items), devotion (7 items), frustration (3 items), and finally acceptance (8 items). Cronbach's alpha for the 29 items was .80. CONCLUSION: The results of this study not only suggest assessment criteria for the life transition process of parents who have children with autism but also provide basic directions for program development to provide differentiated support and care at each stage.

Life Transition of Mothers of Children with Autism

PURPOSE: While there are a number of studies on children with disabilities, there have been few studies on mothers of children with autism. The purpose of this study was to explore the process of life transition of mothers who have children with autism. METHODS: From June 2007 to May 2009, the researcher interviewed 15 mothers of children with autism living in Seoul City, Gyeonggi or Chonbuk Provinces, and then analyzed the data gathered using the constant comparative method of grounded theory. RESULTS: "Living together holding a string of fate" was a core category showing along the continuum of life. The basic social process of life transition encompassed 5 stages: stages of denying, wandering, devoting, mind controlling, and finally accepting. These five stages proceeded in phases, though returned back to the wandering stage occasionally. CONCLUSION: This study has opened the door to understanding how mothers of children with autism experienced life transition. The findings suggest that differentiated support and care at each stage should be given and there is the need to develop transition assessment tools for mothers of children with autism.

A Structural Model of Caring Behavior of Mothers of Disabled Children

PURPOSE: This study was done to develop a model which explains factors influencing caring behavior of mothers who have children with disabilities, and to verify the appropriateness of the model and the relationship among variables. METHODS: The participants in the research were the mothers who had a 3 to 12 yr-old children with disabilities. The data were collected from 451 mothers through self-reported questionnaires from July 14 to 31, 2008. A total of the 371 data sets were analyzed using SPSS/WIN 11.5 and AMOS 5.0 version. RESULTS: The children's behavior characteristics, social support, objective burden and parenting self-esteem had an impact on the mothers' caring behavior. Especially, parenting self-esteem including parenting satisfaction and self-efficacy was the most influential factor. These variables explained 77% of the mothers' caring behavior for these children. CONCLUSION: The results suggest that some strategies for promoting mothers' parenting self-esteem focused on parenting satisfaction and self-efficacy should be developed in order to help mothers in caring for their child who is disabled.

Production of Recombinant Retroviruses Encoding Human Flt3 Ligand and IL-6 and Establishment of Genetically Modified OP9 Mouse Stromal Cells

Flt3 Ligand (FL) and IL-6 are multifunctional cytokines implicated in normal hematopoiesis and ex vivo expansion of hematopoietic stem cells. Retroviral vectors are useful for stable expression of genes in many cells. Here, we aimed to produce retroviral vectors directing expression of human FL and IL-6 genes. Recombinant retroviral vectors containing human genes for FL and IL-6 were constructed using a retroviral vector pLXSN. Recombinant retroviruses were produced from GP2-293 cells with the aid of pseudo-envelope protein gene VSV-G, and efficiently transduced to a mouse stromal cell line OP9. Genetically modified OP9 cells clearly showed expression of human FL or IL-6 gene at the mRNA level determined by RT-PCR. Based on the results from ELISA, human FL and IL-6 were detected in the cell culture medium of OP9/FL and OP9/IL-6 cells, respectively. As the recombinant human FL and IL-6 proteins are successfully produced and secreted to the culture medium, this system can be useful in future application such as ex vivo expansion of hematopoietic stem cells and differentiation of embryonic stem cells.

The Comparison of Sleep Characteristics According to the Sleep Positions in Healthy Newborns / 아동간호학회지

The purpose of this study was to compare the sleep characteristics between the prone and the supine position in healthy newborns. The 48 newborns were observed in the prone position and the supine position respectively on the 2nd day after birth. The data were collected from January to May, 1999. The state of a newborn was classified and categorized to 6 states (deep sleep, light sleep, drowsy, quiet alert, active alert, crying) by Barnard. The movements of eyes, face and extremities, pulse and arterial oxygen were observed and recorded continuously from the start of sleep after feeding until the time of being woken for the next feeding by a trained nurse. The data was analyzed by using paired t-test. The results of this study were as follows; 1. There was no significant difference in the length of sleeping time between the prone and the supine position. 2. There was no significant difference in the length and frequencies of each states(deep sleep, light sleep, drowsy, quiet alert, active alert, crying) between the prone and the supine position. But the frequency of light sleep in the supine position was significantly higher than that of the prone position. 3. There was no significant difference in the numbers of eyes movements between the prone and the supine sleep position. But the amount of facial and extremity movement in the supine position was significantly higher than those in the prone position 4. There was no significant difference in the arterial oxygen content between the prone and the supine sleep position. 5. There was no significant difference in the heart rates between the prone and the supine sleep position. The above results indicated that the newborns in the prone position moved less and slept deeper than those in the supine position, though there was no difference in the length of sleep or arterial oxygen content between the prone and the supine sleep position. But, Nurses and mothers should consider the relationship between the sleep position and SIDS suggested by previous researches. The infant's 'awakening' during sleep is a normal process and rather valuable because it can provide an opportunity to promote a stronger relationship between mother and baby. So, It is suggested that the supine sleep position is better than the prone sleep position for infants.

The Changes in Children's Sleeping Patterns caused by Hospitalization / 아동간호학회지

The purpose of this study was to identify the children's sleeping patterns, such as the sleeping hours and the nature of sleep disruptions following hospitalization and its accompanying factor. The data were collected from December, 1997 to March, 1998 using a questionnaire developed by researchers. The subjects were 76 children in a hospital. The results of this study were summarized as follows : 1. The average sleeping hours(sleep duration) at night were 10 hours and 10 minutes and 9 hours and 9 minutes before and after hospitalization respectively. There was a significant difference(P<0.01). 2. The mean bed time(sleep onset) was 10:22 pm and 10:28 pm before and after hospitalization respectively. There was no significant difference. 3. The mean hour of rising(sleep termination) was 7:54 am 7:08 am before and after hospitalization respectively. There was a significant difference(P<0.01). 4. The mean number of sleep disruption was 0.72 and 1.94 before and after hospitalization respectively. There was a significant difference(P<0.01). The sleep disruptions were influenced by crying of other children(53.9%), lights(28.9%) nursing procedures(18.4%), noise of TV(17.1%) and noise of visitors(15.8%).

Differences in Breast feeding and Bottle feeding Primiparas' Perceptions of their Babies during the Early time of Post-partum Period / 아동간호학회지

This study was done to compare the breast-feeding primiparas' perceptions of their babies with bottle-feeding primiparas' at 2-3 days after delivery. The subjects of this study included 42 breast-feeding mothers and 56 bottle-feeding mothers. Data were collected by using the Neonatal Perception Inventory(NPI) devised by Broussard(1963) and added by Lee, Ja Hyung(1986) form December, 1996 to June, 1997. The results of this study are as follows : 1. Primiparas perceptions of their babies according to their general characteristics. 1) There was no significant difference in mothers' perceptions according to mothers' age and whether they have a job or not. 2) There was a difference in mothers' perceptions according to their educational level(P<0.1). 2. The comparisons of breast-feeding mothers' perceptions of their babies with bottle-feeding mothers'. 1) There was no significant difference in the two group's perceptions of other babies 2) There was no significant difference in the two group's perceptions of their own babies. (1) Breast-feeding mothers' general perceptions of their own babies were better than bottle-feeding mothers', but there was (2) Breast-feeding mothers' perceptions about the basic needs of their own babies were better than bottle-feeding mothers', and there was a significant difference between the two groups(P<0.05). (3) Breast-feeding mothers' perceptions about the sense and motor abilities of their own babies were better than bottle-feeding mothers', but there was no significant difference between the two groups. (4) Breast-feeding mother's perceptions about the necessary care of their own babies were lower than bottle-feeding mothers', but there was no significant difference between the two group. 3) There was no significant difference between the two groups' positive-negative perceptions of their babies (1) 69% of breast-feeding mothers and 69.9% of bottle-feeding mothers had positive perceptions about general conditions, but there was no significant difference between the two groups (2) 57.1% of breast-feeding mothers and 46.4% of bottle-feeding mothers had positive perceptions about the needs of babies, but there was no significant difference between the two groups. (3) 50% of breast-feeding mothers and 48.2% of bottle-feeding mothers had positive perceptions about the sense and motor abilities of babies, but there was no significant difference between the two groups. (4) 57.1% of breast-feeding mothers and 60.7% of bottle-feeding mothers had positive perceptions about the necessary care for babies, but there was no significant difference between the two groups. 3. 54.8% of breast-feeding mothers tried to feed their own babies on the 1st day after delivery. 83.3% of breast-feeding mothers chose the feeding method for themselves. Only 9.5% of breast-feeding mothers took recommendations for breast-feeding from nurses. 78.6% of breast-feeding mothers had no chance to learn about breast-feeding. 69% of breast-feeding mothers complained about the difficulties of breast-feeding. The most serious problems were : 'insufficient milk supply', 'lack of knowledge about feeding technique' and 'problems with nipples'.