Relationships among Mood Status, Social Support, Symptom Experience and Quality of Life in Colorectal Cancer Patients - based on the Theory of Unpleasant Symptoms

PURPOSE: This study is to determine the effects of Colorectal Neoplasms patients' stage, location of disease, functional status (physiological factor), mood (psychological factor), and social support (situational factor) on their symptom experience, and to verify the relationship between symptom experience and the quality of life. METHODS: The Theory of Unpleasant Symptoms was the framework for the study. A descriptive correlational design was used in analysis of data obtained from a sample of 113 Colorectal Neoplasms patients who were undergoing chemotherapy. RESULTS: Total mood disturbance and symptom experiences were negatively correlated with physical component score (PCS) and mental component score (MCS) of quality of life (r −.33 to r=−.51, p<.001; r=.40 to r=.50, p<.001). Multiple regression analysis revealed that the functional status and symptoms interference variables explained 29.2% of the variance in PCS of quality of life. Symptoms interference and age explained 30.6% of the variance in MCS of quality of life. CONCLUSION: Although overall depression levels were low in this sample, these findings suggest that insomnia and fatigue are related to depression and that depression is more closely associated with quality of life than are insomnia and fatigue.

Structual Equation Modeling on Adjustment of Cancer Patients Receiving Chemotherapy / 종양간호학회지

PURPOSE: This study was to understand and explain the adjustment of cancer patients receiving chemotherapy. Variables in this model were social support, uncertainty, resilience and coping. METHODS: The data were collected for approximately five months from May through to September 2006 with cancer patients receiving chemotherapy or cancer patients finished chemotherapy using self-administered questionnaires. Descriptive statistics program, Amos 5.0, was employed to verify the goodness of the hypothetic model and the hypotheses formulated in the study. RESULTS: The fitness of the finalized model turned out to be improved (chi2=332.644, df=70, GFI=.809, AGFI=.714, RMSEA=.138, AIC=402.644). Those variables made a 60.8% prediction of the patients adjustment. CONCLUSION: The hypothetic model presented in the study could serve to explain the adjustment of cancer patients receiving chemotherapy. Moreover, the use of the conceptual framework of the theory of planned nursing intervention would be very worthwhile as a strategy to boost the adjustment of cancer patients when receiving chemotherapy.

Quality of Life and Family Burden in Cancer Patients / 성인간호학회지

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study were to investigate the self-reported quality of life and family burden and to examine the factors associated with the quality of life in patients with cancer. METHODS: 216 patients participated in the cross-sectional study. The European Group of Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of life Questionnaire (EORTC QLQ-C30) and the Family Burden Scale were sent by mail to 2,000 cancer patients. Two hundred and sixteen patients answered the questionnaire. The stepwise multiple regression was conducted to analyze predictors of overall quality of life. RESULTS: All subscales of EORTC QLQ-C30 were significantly correlated with family burden. The regression analysis of patients with cancer revealed some variables as significant predictors; performance, perceived severity, family burden, time since diagnosis, and sex. CONCLUSION: The results offer a number of recommendations for future research and nursing practice focused on primary care for patients with cancer and their family for improving quality of life.

The Relationships of Pain cognition, Performance Status, and Hope with Health-related Quality of Life in Cancer Patients / 성인간호학회지

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to determine the relationships of pain cognition, performance status, and hope with health-related quality of life. METHODS: Patients(n=149) with various cancer diagnoses completed the SF-36 standard Korean Version and the Herth Hope Index. The Perceived Meanings of Cancer Pain Inventory was used to measure the cognition dimension of pain, whereas the Brief Pain Inventory Korean version was used to represent the sensory dimension of pain. RESULTS: The patients in the pain group had significant differences in the three dimensions(loss, threat, spiritual awareness) of pain cognition. There were statistically significant negative correlations between the three dimensions(loss, threat, and spiritual awareness) of pain cognitions and SF-36 dimension, and the positive correlations between challenge dimension and SF-36 dimension. Hope had the positive correlation with SF-36 dimensions. CONCLUSION: Pain has a negative impact on health-related quality of life, especially on physical health. However, patients who ascribed more positive meaning to their pain, tended to have a higher quality of life. Therefore, nursing intervention to reinforce the positive aspects of pain cognition is to empower patients to create a sense of control and assume an active role in pain management and quality of life.

A Study on the Correlation Among Total Serum Cholesterol Level, Blood Pressure, Body Mass Index, and Lifestyle / 성인간호학회지

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship among the levels of total serum cholesterol level, blood pressure, body mass index, and lifestyle. METHOD: This study was designed as a descriptive correlation study. Subjects were 972 adults participated voluntarily living in GyeongNam. The height, weight, blood pressure and fasting serum cholesterol were measured. Body mass index was caculated. Information on general characteristics (age, gender, education, job, family history) and life style(cigarette, alchol, sleeping time, regular exercise, meal pattern, peppery, salty, sweetness, vegetable diet, meat diet) were collected using a questionnaire by interviewing method. RESULT: The mean value of total serum cholesterol was 197+/-36.4mg/dl(mean; 189.4+/-36.7, women; 202.1 +/-35.1). By simple analysis, the serum total cholesterol according to general characteristics features was statistically significant in age(F= 6.765, p=000) and gender (t=5.372, p=.000). Total serum cholesterol levels increased significantly with increasing BMI. The serum total cholesterol according to life style features was statistically significant in cigarette(chi2 =12.12, p=.016), exercise(chi2=6.335, p=.042), salty taste(chi2=18.801, p=016), vegetable diet(chi2=19.488, p=012). The most affecting factor which total serum cholesterol factor was BMI(beta=.151, p=.000). CONCLUSION: The significant risk factors relating to serum total cholesterol were age, gender, BMI, smoking, and exercise. Therefore, for the reduction of serum total cholesterol level, it is recommended that nursing intervention for the prevention of obesity, change of life style should be implemented.

The Relationships of Internet Addiction, Depression, and Suicidal ideation in Adolescents / 간호학회지

PURPOSE: This study was done to identify the state of internet addiction and to investigate the relationships among internet addiction, depression and suicidal ideation in adolescents. METHOD: Participants were 1,670 high school students in an urban city. The Internet Addiction Scale was used to measure internet addiction, the DISC-MDD-SQ was used to measure depression, and the Suicidal Ideation Questionnaire-JR was used to measure suicidal ideation. RESULT: 38.1% of participants were perceived to be in the early stages of internet addiction and 1.5% reported heavy addiction. Overall the internet addiction scale score was 37.57(+/-12.52). The differences of internet addiction in sample characteristics were found to be significant in rank in class. The differences in DISC-MDD-SQ and IAS scores among the states of internet addiction were statistically significant. The level of internet addiction correlated positively to the level of depression and suicidal ideation. CONCLUSION: Based upon these findings, there were significant positive correlations among Internet addiction, depression, and suicidal ideation in adolescents. As schools are often the first line for the identification of potential life-threatening behaviors, nurses, especially school-based health professionals, need to be cognizant of measures and procedures for the assessment of Internet addiction, depression, and suicidal ideation.

An Inquiry into Exercise Behaviors of Middle-aged Women in Korea: A Q-methodological approach / 성인간호학회지

PUPPOSE: This study was performed to identify the factors which affected exercise and the perceived exercise behaviors in women according to Q-methodology and to provide basic strategies for health promotion of middle-aged women in Korea. METHOD: Q-methodology provides a scientific method for identifying perception structures that exist within certain individuals or groups. Thirty subjects in Seoul, Incheon, Chung-buk classified 35 selected Q-statements in to 9 points standard. The collected data was analyzed by using a QUANL pc program. RESULT: Principal component analysis identified 3 types of exercise behavior of middle-aged women in Korea and named by the researcher. They are called persistent activity preference type, living-exercise preference type, exercise mania type. In persistent activity preference type, the middle-aged women thought activity was very helpful to achieving health and releasing stress or fatigue. Also, they recognized the relationship between physical health and psychological health. In living- exercise preference type, the middle-aged women preferred maintaining stability or nonactivity to intended exercise or activity for health. In exercise mania type, the middle-aged women thought there was no other way to keep her health than to exercise. CONCLUSION: The findings of this study will provide the health care provider including nurse with useful information. It's very important to offer appropriate exercise intervention to the middle-aged women of each type by taking into consideration the characteristics of individual types.

Subjectivity on Coping with Fatigue among Middle-aged Men / 성인간호학회지

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study is to identify factors that affect coping with fatigue in middle-aged men according to Q-methodology and to provide basic strategies for health promotion. METHOD: 25 subjects in Seoul, Incheon, Chung-buk classified 24 selected Q-statements in to 9 points standard. The collected data were analyzed by using a QUNAL pc program. RESULT: Principal component analysis identified 3 types of coping with fatigue among middle-aged Korean men. 1st Type: Coping with fatigue through various kinds of game, using alcohol, smoking cigarette other than rest and sleep. 2nd Type : Coping with fatigue through rest and sleep, taking medicine or food which helps relieving fatigue. 3rd Type : Coping with fatigue through acitivities such as sports or trip other than sleep. CONCLUSION: We have found how Korean middle-aged men cope against fatigue through this research. To setup and apply different nursing intervention on each type based on this result is needed.

A Study on Causal Attribution and Self-Efficacy in the Patients with Cancer / 간호학회지

When people undergo stressful situations such as a cancer diagnosis, they ask, "why me?" The causal attributions people make about cancer influence what kind of coping strategies are chosen. Weiner (1979) suggested three dimensions of causal attributions: focus of causality, stability, and controllability. The purpose of the present study was to test the relation between causal attributions and self-efficacy in patients with cancer. The subjects were 194 patients who had been diagnosed cancer one year ago and attended an outpatient clinic. 1. Each mean score of causal attribution dimensions (focus of control, stability, controllability) that each patient made about cancer was 2.47, 2.73, 2.86, 3.35, and 3.28. The mean score of self-efficacy was 71.03. 2. There was a significant negative correlation between self efficacy and controllability. Particularly, there was a significant negative relationship between self efficacy and external controllability. Based upon these results, it is recommended that the developing nursing interventions to change causal attribution and self-efficacy is necessary. A number of theoretical relationships and empirical finding are confirmed by this data, and future proposals in research is suggested.

Depression, Self-efficacy and Coping in Patients with Cancer / 성인간호학회지

The relationships among self efficacy, depression and coping with cancer were examined in 194 outpatients who had received a diagnosis of cancer. The sample for this descriptive correlational study consisted of people who were at least 19 years old and had been treated for cancer at 6 hospital in Seoul. Data were collected using a self-report questionnaire. The results of this study are as follows: 1. People who attributed cancer to heredity/ family showed the highest mean score of self efficacy. People who attributed cancer to smoking showed the highest mean score of depression. and coping. 2. There were significant differences between causal attribution and depression and between causal attribution and coping. 3. There was a negative correlation between self-efficacy and depression(r=-.301, p= .000), whereas there was a positive correlation between self-efficacy and coping (r=.195, 0=.006). Finally, it is evident that identifying clear perceived causes, self-efficacy, depression and coping in patients with cancer continues to challenge researchers. Based upon this study, it is recommended that future research have a longitudinal design that allows for the identification of changes in perception, emotion and coping and, possibly, different relationships over time.

A Study on Self-Efficacy and Quality of Life in Schizophrenic Patients / 간호학회지

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study is to identify the correlation that exists between quality of life and self-efficacy of schizophrenic patients, focusing on the influence of related factors on these varables. METHOD: The subjects of this study were 151 schizophrenic patients. The data were collected using questionnaires. The instruments used for this study were the general self-efficacy scale developed by Sherer & Maddex (1982), the specific self-efficacy scale modified and complemented by these co-researchers on the basis of the past studies and modified SIP by Voruganti (1996). The period of data collection was from July. 2000 to Jan. 2001. Data analysis was done by SPSS, t-test, ANOVA and the Pearson Correlation Coefficient. RESULT: 1. The level of self-efficacy showed a mean score of 60.0 and the level of quality of life, a mean score of 47.0. 2. The general characteristics affecting the self-efficacy of schizophrenic patients were staying with family (p=0.05) and employment (p=0.00). 3. The general characteristics affecting the quality of life of schizophrenic patients were staying with family (p=0.04), employment (p=0.05) and duration of illness (0.03). 4. A positive correlation was identified between self-efficacy and quality of life (r=-0.469, p=0.000). CONCLUSION: The study suggests that nursing intervention strategy should be worked out to develop a psychiatric rehabilitation program that can promote self-efficacy and thus enhance the quality of life of schizophrenic patients.

A study on the Experience of Nurses' socialization Process in the Hospital Setting / 간호학회지

Socialization is the process of moving from one social role to another by gaining knowledge, skills and behaviors to participate in a group. Nurses who graduate from nursing school, enter the work force, and develop a career undergo socialization as they become insiders in the hospital. This study was designed to identify experiences of the nurses' socialization process in the hospital setting. The subjects were 6 nurses. Data were collected by recording and transcribing interviews and analyzed in the framework of grounded theory as mapped out by Strauss and Corbin(1990). The core category in the analysis of the experiences of nurses' socialization process was "being beyond". In the process of data analysis, 22 categories were identified. These categories were again grouped into 13. Based upon these results, it is recommended that development of resocialization models to establish nursing identity are necessary.

Analysis of the Nursing Interventions done by MICU and SICU nurses using NIC / 간호학회지

The purpose of this research was to identify nursing interventions performed by MICU and SICU nurses. For data collection this study used the taxonomy of the Nursing Interventions Classification(NIC: 433 nursing interventions) which was modified by McCloskey and Bulecheck(1996). Each of the 433 interventions were identified as used by MICU and SICU nurses. More than 50% of the ICU nurses performed 280 nursing interventions at least monthly. Rarely used interventions included 26 nursing interventions in the childbearing care class. Overall, both MICU and SICU nurses used interventions in the Physicological : Complex domain most often on a daily basis and the interventions in the Family domain least often. The most frequently reported interventions as being used daily in the MICU were chest physioterapy, airway suctioning and coughing enhancement and, in the SICU, documentation and airway suctioning. There were significant differences between MICU and SICU nurses differences interventions childbearing care, cognitive therapy, communication enhancement, coping assistance, elimination management, lifespan care, health system mediation, immobility management, medication management, neurologic management, patient education psychological comfort promotion, physical comfort program, respiratory management, risk management and information management. The SICU nurses performed there interventions more frequently than the MICU nurses. These findings will help in building of a standardized language for the MICU and SICU and enhance the quality of nursing care.

An Integrative Review of Oncology Nursing Research: 1980-1998 / 간호학회지

The purposes of this study were to describe systematically 18 years of oncology nursing research in Korea and suggest it's direction in future. 149 nursing studies published from 1980 to 1998 were selected for the present study. There were examined the source and the design of study, type of subjects, measurement variables, the intervention outcome of experimental research, and theme of qualitative research. The results were as follows : 1. 121 of 149 studies were composed of master thesis and dissertation of graduate school. There were 55 correlations, 30 descriptions, 19 comparisons, 19 qualitative studies and 2 Q-methods as the type of research design. 2. Cancer patients without describing specified diagnose as subjects' characteristic were 44 of total studies. The others had various diagnoses such as gastric cancer, uterine cancer, breast cancer, leukemia, Iymphoma, colorectal cancer, and lung cancer. According to treatment type. patients receiving chemotherapy were the highest number distribution as 53 of all researches. 3. Most measurement instruments used for research were translated it into Korean that developed by foreigners, such as Zung's depression. Spielberg's anxiety, and Wallston's locus of control. 4. Quality of life was shown the most frequently among correlational researches. the next one was depression the third was hope, and so on. 5. There was the most frequent comparison between cancer and non-cancer patients in comparative researches. It was surveyed those variables as diet habits, risk factors, stressful life events, anxiety and depression and self-care capacity between two groups. 6. The subjects were mostly chemotherapy Patients as 15 of 24 experimental studies. Oral care and education were respectively the highest experimental interventions. 7. Qualitative researches about cancer were reported since 1991. Their themes were illness experience, adaptation process, dying experience, family experience, hope. caring, experience of health behavior, meaning of chemotherapy and experience of cancer survivor. Phenomenologic methodology was designed above 50% of qualitative researches. According to the above findings, cancer research had increased since 1990 and done mostly by descriptive design but a few experimental studies. As recommendations for the future, It is necessary to study the comparison of oncology nursing research internationally. the replication to establish the effect of nursing intervention and the family care of cancer patient.