The Work Performance of Infection Control Nurses in General Hospitals during the Early COVID-19 Pandemic / 정신간호학회지

Purpose@#This study was conducted to understand the meaning of the work performance of infection control nurses (ICNs) in general hospitals during the early COVID-19 pandemic. @*Methods@#This was a qualitative study to explore and describe the implications of the work performance of ICNs during the early COVID-19 pandemic through a phenomenological approach. One-on-one in-depth interviews were conducted with ICNs who had been working since before the COVID-19 pandemic in the infection control department. @*Results@#The topics brought up by the participants were categorized into five themes. The themes included “confusion caused by the early COVID-19 pandemic,” “exhaustion due to an explosion of work related to COVID-19,” “active response as an ICN,” “emphasis on the importance of infection control,” and “overcoming the early COVID-19 pandemic”. @*Conclusion@#It is necessary to strengthen the competence of ICNs as experts and establish a career management system to overcome the confusion and physical and psychological difficulties experienced by ICNs.

A Grounded Theory Approach on Correctional Officers’ Adaptation Process of Job Stress

Purpose@#The purpose of this qualitative study is to explore the adaptation process of correctional officers’ job stress. @*Methods@#Participants collected were fourteen officers who had experienced the adaptation process of job stress.Data were collected through individual in-depth interviews until the point of theoretical saturation from May to August, 2017. Transcribed interview contents were analyzed using Corbin and Strauss’ grounded theory method. @*Results@#A total of 98 concepts, 27 subcategories, and 10 categories were identified through the open coding. As a result of axial coding based on the paradigm model, the job stress adaptation process centering phenomenon of correctional officers was revealed as ‘repeat-mark hardening’, and the core category was extracted as ‘endurance in hardening’ consisting of a three-step process: enduring, understanding prisoner management procedures, and rebuilding. The rebuilding was considered as the key phase to escape the repeat-mark hardening and the participants utilized various strategies such as finding fun elsewhere, restoring confidence, accepting values of the prison officer in this phase. @*Conclusion@#The results of this study suggest that the adaptation process of correctional officers’ job stress can be a process that endurance the hardening. Therefore, it is necessary to develop systematic practical education and vocational motivation programs.

A Q-Methodological Study of Suicidal Attitudes in Male Baby Boomers / 정신간호학회지

Purpose@#The purpose of this study was to identify attitudes of male baby boomers towards suicide. @*Methods@#Q-Methodology which provides a method of analyzing the subjectivity of each item was used. Thirty-five q-statements were selected from total 110 statements. The recruited P-sample consisted of thirty-three male baby boomers in 1 town and 4 cities. Q-statements were classified into a shape of normal distribution of a 9-point scale. Collected data were analyzed using PQMethod Program 2.11. @*Results@#Three types of attitudes towards suicide were identified. The first type was self-overcoming type that oppose suicide. The second type was burden recognition type with ambivalence toward suicide. The third type was social support-seeking types that oppose suicide. @*Conclusion@#The results of this study suggest that it is necessary to apply a suicide prevention program differentiated according to the three types for suicide prevention among male baby boomers in Korea.

A Q-Methodological Study of Suicidal Attitudes in Male Baby Boomers / 정신간호학회지

Purpose@#The purpose of this study was to identify attitudes of male baby boomers towards suicide. @*Methods@#Q-Methodology which provides a method of analyzing the subjectivity of each item was used. Thirty-five q-statements were selected from total 110 statements. The recruited P-sample consisted of thirty-three male baby boomers in 1 town and 4 cities. Q-statements were classified into a shape of normal distribution of a 9-point scale. Collected data were analyzed using PQMethod Program 2.11. @*Results@#Three types of attitudes towards suicide were identified. The first type was self-overcoming type that oppose suicide. The second type was burden recognition type with ambivalence toward suicide. The third type was social support-seeking types that oppose suicide. @*Conclusion@#The results of this study suggest that it is necessary to apply a suicide prevention program differentiated according to the three types for suicide prevention among male baby boomers in Korea.

The development of nurses’ core competencies and the analysis of validity and importance-performance / 한국간호교육학회지

Purpose@#The purpose of this study was to develop nurses’ core competencies and sub-competencies and to verify the validity and importance-performance of core competencies. @*Methods@#The core competencies of nurses were derived through an analysis of strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats, as well as a literature analysis of domestic and foreign accreditation institutions. Validity and importance-performance analyses were conducted on the core competencies derived from nursing colleges nationwide. @*Results@#Six core competencies of nurses were revealed: integration of knowledge and nursing skills, critical thinking, communication, leadership, safety management, and global competency. Further, eighteen sub-competencies were derived. The content validity ratio values for the core competencies were higher than 0.74. Communication skills among multidisciplinary teams and communication skills among nursing teams were shown to be the most important competencies to be improved. @*Conclusion@#The results of this study are meaningful in terms of how the core competencies of nurses were derived and evaluated for the fourth cycle of nursing education accreditation according to the changes of time and culture.

Effects of an Interpersonal Relationship Improvement Program using MBTI on Self-acceptance, Self-esteem, and Acceptance of others of Professional Soldiers / 정신간호학회지

Purpose@#The purpose of this study was to investigate effects of an interpersonal relationship improvement program using MBTI on self-acceptance, self-esteem and acceptance of others of professional soldiers. @*Methods@#The participants were 36 professional soldiers in G City, including an experimental group (n=18) and a control group (n=18). The research was carried out from June to July, 2015. The intervention was provided to the experimental group once a week over 8 weeks, for 90 minutes per session. Date were analyzed using x2 test, t-test, Fisher's exact probability test, and ANCOVA with the SPSS/WIN 12.0 program. @*Results@#Experimental group who took part in the interpersonal relationship improvement program using MBTI had higher self-acceptance score (F=26.39, p<.001), self-esteem score (F=16.61, p<.001), and acceptance of others score (F=0.47, p=.017) than the control group that did not participate. @*Conclusion@#The results indicate that an interpersonal relationship improvement program using MBTI enhanced self-acceptance, self-esteem and acceptance of others of professional soldiers. Therefore, the interpersonal relationship improvement program using MBTI could be one of programs to improve self-acceptance, self-esteem and acceptance of others of professional soldiers.

The Relationship between Occupational Stress and Burnout among Firefighters: Mediating of Grit / 정신간호학회지

Purpose@#The purpose of this study was to identify the mediating effects of grit in the relationship between occupational stress and burnout among fire fighters. @*Methods@#A descriptive, cross-sectional study was conducted with 165 firefighters from seven fire stations in D city in Korea. The survey was conducted using a self-reporting questionnaire December 2019-January 2020. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, independent t-tests, one-way ANOVA, Pearson's correlation coefficients, and multiple linear regression analysis with the Sobel test using SPSS/WIN 22.0. @*Results@#The occupational stress of firefighters had positive correlation with burnout (r=.68, p<.001). Occupational stress (r=-.39, p<.001) and burnout (r=-.51, p<.001) had negative correlation with grit (r=.63, p<.001). Grit had partially mediating effect on the relationship between occupational stress and burnout. @*Conclusion@#The implications of this study indicate that grit plays a crucial role in reducing the impact of occupational stress on burnout among firefighters. Thus, it is necessary to develop a psychological program to improve grit to reduce the burnout of firefighters.

COVID-19 in Nursing Facilities: Experience in Republic of Korea

ObjectivesCoronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreaks in nursing facilities can easily lead to a high rate of infection and fatality. A surge in newly infected cases in the first quarter of 2020 in Gyeongsan-si, in the Republic of Korea, was followed by several outbreaks in nursing facilities in the same area. The aim of this study is to report on the epidemiological investigation and the management to reduce the infection rate in nursing facilities for older adults.MethodsThe municipal government and the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention performed an epidemiological investigation into 5 nursing facilities that reported a high number of COVID-19 infection cases from February to May 2020. COVID-19 infected cases in the facilities were investigated to identify the infection routes, and the fatality rate of the 5 facilities.ResultsThe 5 facilities had a combined fatality rate of 12.2% (9 deceased among the 74 infected cases). The median age of the deceased was 87 years old (range: 82–91). The infection was first identified on February 27th, 2020, peaked on March 6th, and was last detected on March 24th, 2020.ConclusionDifficulties specific to such facilities included the delay in the recognition of symptoms and limitation in distancing. Tailored strategies such as daily monitoring of symptoms and proactive COVID-19 screening of quarantined residents, contributed to a decline in the infections in the facilities.

Effects of Oral Gargling with Aroma Solution in Psychiatric Inpatients: A Non-Randomized Controlled Trial

Purpose@#The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of oral gargling with an aromatic solution on xerostomia, objective oral status, and oral health-related quality of life in psychiatric inpatients. @*Methods@#A nonequivalent control group with a non-synchronized design was used in this study. The experimental group (n=34) received oral gargling with an aroma solution, while the control group (n=33) gargled with 0.9% normal saline. Dependent variables were measured at pre-, post-, and follow-up test. Data were analyzed using an c2-test, Fisher’s exact probability test, t-tests, and repeated measures ANOVA using SPSS/WIN v.21.0. @*Results@#After the intervention, significant differences were revealed in xerostomia (F=15.30, p <.001), objective oral status (F=38.44, p <.001), and oral health-related quality of life (F=62.70, p <.001) with an interaction effect between group and time. @*Conclusion@#These findings indicate that gargling with an aroma solution is more effective than 0.9% normal saline for the oral health of psychiatric inpatients. Therefore gargling with an aroma can be safely recommended as a brief, economical, and positive intervention in clinical settings.

A Study on the Social Perceptions of the Baby Box and Infant Abandonment

PURPOSE: The aim of the study was to investigate the social perceptions of the baby box and infant abandonment. METHODS: The study included a survey on social perceptions of infant abandonment, including the baby box and permissiveness of infant abandonment. F-tests and t-tests were performed to clarify the differences in permissiveness of infant abandonment based on general characteristics. RESULTS: First, it was found that awareness of the baby box was high, and positive perceptions were slightly higher than negative perceptions due to the value placed on the abandoned child's life and safety, the unavoidable reasons for not rearing a child, and the child's quality of life after abandonment. However, the reasons for negative attitudes toward the baby box included the increase in infant abandonment and the decrease in parental responsibility toward the child. Second, the permissiveness of infant abandonment was generally low; however, the level of permissiveness differed according to age, education level, status, and marital status. For people who are in their 30s or older, hold a graduate or higher level degree, are employed, and are married, the permissiveness of infant abandonment was lower than that of others. CONCLUSION: These findings suggest that the current support policy for unmarried mothers should be changed to improve the economic and social conditions of child care. Furthermore, we must strive to improve the social perceptions of various family structures, including unmarried parents and their children.

Associations between Elementary School Students' Cell Phone Dependency and Aggression: The Mediating Effects of Diverse Leisure Activities / 정신간호학회지

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between cell phone dependency and aggression in elementary school students with the mediating effect of leisure activities in South Korea. METHODS: Data were cross-sectional in study design with 1,555 fourth grade elementary school students participating in the 4th-year Korean Children and Youth Panel Survey. Data analysis was performed using the SPSS/WIN 23.0 and AMOS 21.0 program. RESULTS: Cell phone dependency has a significant effect on aggression, but it did not act as a control variable in the relationship between the protective factor, weekly book reading time and the amount of daytime play with aggression. Weekly entertainment time and weekly TV and video viewing time had a significant statistical effect on aggression, thus this study confirmed that cell phone dependency acts as a control variable in relation to aggression. CONCLUSION: As the entertainment time for elementary school students, the time spent watching TV and videos play a negative role, it is necessary to prepare a leisure activity management practice and strategies with an emphasis on entertainment time as well as, TV and video viewing as elementary school students' leisure activities for a healthy school life.

Maternal and neonatal outcomes in Korean women with type 2 diabetes

BACKGROUND/AIMS: The purpose of this study was to compare maternal and neonatal outcomes in Korean women with type 2 diabetes and nondiabetic controls. METHODS: We performed a retrospective survey of 200 pregnancies in women with type 2 diabetes (n = 100) and nondiabetic controls (n = 100) who delivered from 2003 to 2010 at Cheil General Hospital & Women’s Healthcare Center, Korea. We compared maternal characteristics as well as maternal and neonatal outcomes between groups matched by age, pre-pregnancy weight, body mass index, parity, and gestational age at delivery. RESULTS: The number of infants that were small for gestational age and the rate of major congenital malformations were not significantly different. However, women with type 2 diabetes showed a slightly higher risk for primary caesarean section (35.0% vs. 18.0%, p = 0.006) as well as pre-eclampsia (10.0% vs. 2.0%, p = 0.017), infections during pregnancy (26.0% vs. 2.0%, p < 0.001), neonatal weight (3,370 ± 552.0 vs. 3,196 ± 543.3, p = 0.025), large for gestational age (22.0% vs. 9.0%, p = 0.011), and macrosomia (15.0% vs. 5.0%, p = 0.018) compared to nondiabetic controls. CONCLUSIONS: Maternal and neonatal outcomes for women with type 2 diabetes were worse than those for nondiabetic controls. Diabetic women have a higher risk for primary caesarean section, pre-eclampsia, infections during pregnancy, large neonatal birth weight, large for gestational age, and macrosomia.

Difference in Maternal Weight Gain and Pregnancy Outcomes According to Pregnancy at an Advanced Maternal Age at a Single Women's Hospital in South Korea

PURPOSE: This study aimed to investigate the differences of pregnancy outcomes according to advanced-age pregnancy among Korean women in South Korea. METHODS: This study used nursing records of 242 women who gave birth at a single women's hospital in South Korea. Data consisted of maternal obstetric history, maternal body weight, gestational age, birth types, newborn's Apgar scores, and newborn's physical measures. Data were collected between June and December of 2015. Data were analyzed using mean, percentage, t-test, chi test, Fisher's exact test, and repeated general linear model. RESULTS: The differences of obstetric characteristics according to pregnancy at maternal age over 35 years were not significant. Maternal body weight was affected not by pregnancy at advanced maternal age (F=0.10, p=0.182) but by weight before pregnancy (F=35.56, p<0.001). Pregnancy outcome concerning newborn's Apgar scores and physical measure did not differ between mothers who were at an advanced age and those who were not. Planned pregnancies were more common at maternal age ≥35 than at age <35. Natural childbirth and cesarean section in mothers at maternal age ≥35 was lower than at age <35. CONCLUSION: This study demonstrates that maternal weight and pregnancy outcomes of newborns were not different according to pregnancy at advanced maternal age. Type of birth was more risky than natural in advanced age. Therefore, health care provider should pay attention to the planning process, pregnancy, and birth in women with advanced maternal age.

Effects of a Parent Empowerment Program Applying MBTI for Mothers of Elementary School Students / 정신간호학회지

PURPOSE: The study was done to investigate effects of a parent empowerment program using MBTI (Myers-Brigs Type Indicator) on self-esteem, parent-child communication, and parenting sense of competence in mothers of elementary school students. METHODS: Research design was a quasi-experimental research with pre- and post-test. Participants were 26 mothers recruited from mothers of elementary school students. The program was provided to the experimental group for 60 minute sessions once a week for 8 weeks. Data were analyzed using Fisher's exact probability test, χ² test, and t-test with SPSS/WIN 12.0 program. RESULTS: The first hypothesis was verified as the score for self-esteem in the experimental group was significantly higher than the control group (t=3.14 p<.001). The third hypothesis was verified as the score for parenting sense of competence in the experimental group was significantly higher than the control group (t=2.58 p<.017). CONCLUSION: These results indicate that the parent empowerment program applying MBTI enhances self-esteem and parenting sense of competence in mothers of elementary school children. Therefore, this program is an appropriate strategy for community mental health nurses to use to improve parent empowerment.

Association of Anxiety, Depression, and Somatization with Menstrual Problems among North Korean Women Defectors in South Korea

OBJECTIVE: North Korean women defectors have suffered from anxiety, depression, and somatization after defection. Also they have had many menstrual problems like amenorrhea. This study was done to identify the correlations of anxiety, depression, and somatization to menstrual problems among North Korean woman defectors in South Korea. METHODS: The participants in this study were 126 women from 5 government resettlement centers throughout South Korea. Questionnaires which included State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI), Center for Epidemiological studies-Depression Scale (CED-S), and Symptom Checklist-90-Revised (SCL-90-R) were used to identify anxiety and somatization. Data were collected between June and September, 2012. RESULTS: The women reported the following problems; amenorrhea (9.5%), hypomenorrhea (13.6%), menorrhagia (19.8%), polymenorrhea (13.5%), oligomenorrhea (4.8%), changes in amount of menstrual discharge (4.0%), and changes in amount of blood clot (9.5%). Anxiety (r=0.20, p=0.002), depression (r=0.25, p=0.005), and Somatization (r=0.35, p<0.001) were correlated with number of menstrual problems. CONCLUSION: The results of this study indicate that mental health services need to be taken into account in interventions for North Korean woman defectors to improve their reproductive health including addressing menstrual problems.

Effects of a Dementia Family Education Program for Dementia Recognition, Burden, and Depression in Caregivers of Elders with Dementia / 정신간호학회지

PURPOSE: This study was to investigate effects of the dementia family education program on dementia recognition, burden, and depression in caregivers of elders with dementia. METHODS: Aquasi-experimental research with a nonequivalent control group non-synchronized pre and post design was used with 52 caregivers of elders with dementia living in D city. Data were collected from August 12 to December 12, 2013. The dementia family education program was provided to the experimental group once a week over 8 weeks, for 90 minutes per session. Data were analyzed using χ² test, Fisher exact probability test, t-test. RESULTS: Experimental group participants who took part in the dementia family education program had higher dementia recognition scores than the control group that did not participate (t=3.79, p<.001). Experimental group participants who took part in the dementia family education program had lower burden and depression scores than the control group that did not participate (t=-2.90, p=.006) (t=-2.22, p=.034). CONCLUSION: The findings indicate that the dementia family education program enhances dementia recognition by caregivers of elders with dementia and lowers burden and depression in these caregivers. Use of the dementia family education program is recommended as an effective nursing intervention for caregivers of elders with dementia.

Gender Differences in Factors Related to Prehospital Delay in Patients with ST-Segment Elevation Myocardial Infarction

PURPOSE: The aim of our study was to investigate gender differences in factors related to prehospital delay and identify whether the knowledge of acute myocardial infarction symptoms affects this delay in Korean patients with ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 350 patients (286 men, 64 women) with confirmed STEMI were interviewed to investigate socio-demographics, history of disease, symptom onset time, and factors that contributed to delayed decision time in seeking treatment and hospital arrival time from symptom onset. Factors associated with prehospital delay were examined separately by gender using univariate and multivariate analyses. RESULTS: Female patients had higher proportions of ≥60-minute decision time and ≥120-minute arrival time compared to male patients (33.9% vs. 23.1%, 60.9% vs. 52.1%, respectively). However, the difference was not statistically significant (p=0.093 and 0.214, respectively). Previous cardiovascular disease (CVD) was associated with increased decision time in men, whereas, in women, lower educational status caused a greater delay in decision time. Factors associated with hospital arrival time excluding delayed decision time were referral from another hospital, previous CVD, and percutaneous coronary intervention in men, and referral from another hospital in women. CONCLUSION: Gender differences exist in factors related to prehospital delay. Therefore, public education to reduce prehospital delay should be conducted according to gender with a focus on the pertinent factors.

Public Awareness of Stroke and Its Predicting Factors in Korea: a National Public Telephone Survey, 2012 and 2014

The aim of this study was to investigate time trends in the public awareness of stroke and its predicting factors. The target population was 9,600 community-dwelling adults, aged 19–79 years, in 16 metropolitan cities and provinces in Korea. The survey samples in 2012 and 2014 were selected separately (entirely different sets of subjects) using a proportionate quota sampling method. Information concerning knowledge of stroke and demographics was collected by trained telephone interviewers using random digit dialing. After excluding subjects with a non-response or refusal to answer any question, the analyses included 8,191 subjects in 2012 and 8,127 subjects in 2014. Respondents’ awareness of stroke warning signs (numbness or weakness, difficulty speaking or understanding speech, dizziness, visual impairment, and severe headache) was highest for difficulty speaking or understanding speech (80.9% in 2012 and 86.4% in 2014). There were significant increases in the proportion of respondents understanding the appropriate action (i.e., calling an ambulance) at the time of stroke occurrence (59.6% to 67.1%), and in the proportion aware of the general need for prompt treatment (86.7% to 89.8%). In multivariable logistic regression analysis, older age, higher education level, higher household income, current non-smoking, exposure to stroke-related public relations materials, and experience of stroke education were significantly associated with both high knowledge of stroke warning signs and awareness of the need for prompt treatment. Between 2012 and 2014, the public’s awareness of stroke increased significantly. More specialized interventions, including public relations materials and education, should focus on subgroups who have lower stroke knowledge.

Effects of a Horticultural Therapy Program on Self-efficacy, Stress Response, and Psychiatric Symptoms in Patients with Schizophrenia / 정신간호학회지

PURPOSE: The study was done to investigate effects of a horticultural therapy program on self-efficacy, stress response, and psychiatric symptoms in patients with schizophrenia. METHODS: The research design was a quasi-experimental research with a nonequivalent control group non-synchronized pre-posttest. The participants were recruited from patients with schizophrenia admitted to 1 mental hospital located in D City. The research was carried out from August 3 to September 25, 2012. To test the effects of the horticultural therapy program, the participants were divided into two groups, an experimental group (29) and a control group (26). The horticulture therapy was provided to the experiment group for 60 minutes/session twice a week, for 8 weeks. Data were analyzed using Fisher's exact probability test, χ2-test, and t-test with the SPSS/WIN 12.0 program. RESULTS: After attending the horticultural therapy program, the first hypothesis was verified as the score for self-efficacy in the experimental group was significantly higher than the control group (t=2.12, p=.039). The 3rd hypothesis was verified as the score for PANSS in the experimental group was significantly lower than the control group (t=-5.20, p<.001). CONCLUSION: These results indicate that the horticultural therapy program enhanced self-efficacy and lessened psychiatric symptoms in patients with schizophrenia.

Factors Influencing Suicidal Ideation in Girls' High School Students / 한국간호교육학회지

PURPOSE: This study was conducted to identify factors which influence suicidal ideation in students in girls' high schools. METHODS: The participants were 202 students attending a girls' high school and a specialized girls' high school in D city. Data were collected from October 8 to December 23, 2013. Research tools were suicidal ideation, existential spiritual well-being, interpersonal relations, and depression. Data were analyzed using t-test, one-way ANOVA with Scheffe-test, Pearson's correlation coefficient, and multiple regression by stepwise selection with SPSS/WIN 12.0. RESULTS: Suicidal ideation was negatively correlated with existential spiritual well-being, interpersonal relations, and positively correlated with depression. Effective variables were depression (β=0.54, p<.001), existential spiritual well-being (β=-0.22, p=.001), and grades (β=-0.10, p=.042). These variables explained 52% of the variance in suicidal ideation. CONCLUSION: Based on the outcomes of this study, it is necessary to design an intervention program that teachers and community mental health nurses can use to increase existential spiritual well-being and decrease the depression and suicidal ideation for students in girls' high schools.