Maternal, infant, and perinatal mortality statistics and trends in Korea between 2018 and 2020

This study aimed to identify maternal, infant, and perinatal mortality using the nationalpopulation data of South Korea between 2018 and 2020, and to analyze mortality rates according tocharacteristics such as age, date of death, and cause of death in each group. This study updates themost recent study using 2009 to 2017 data.Methods: Analyses of maternal, infant, and perinatal mortality were done with data identifiedthrough the supplementary investigation system for cases of death from the Census of PopulationDynamics data provided by Statistics Korea from 2018 to 2020.Results: Between 2018 and 2020, a total of 99 maternal deaths, 2,427 infant deaths, and 2,408 perinatal deaths were identified from 901,835 live births. The maternal mortality ratio was 11.3 deathsper 100,000 live births in 2018; it decreased to 9.9 in 2019 but increased again to 11.8 in 2020. Thematernal mortality ratio increased steeply in women over the age of 40 years. An increasing trend inthe maternal mortality ratio was found for complications related to the puerperium and hypertensive disorders. Both infant and perinatal mortality continued to decrease, from 2.8 deaths per 1,000live births in 2018 to 2.5 in 2020 and from 2.8 in 2018 to 2.5 in 2020, respectively.Conclusion: Overall, the maternal, infant, and perinatal mortality statistics showed improvements.However, more attention should be paid to women over 40 years of age and specific causes of maternal deaths, which should be taken into account in Korea’s maternal and child health policies.

The Mediating Effects of Mindfulness and Growth Mindset on the Relationship between Occupational Stress and Happiness among Clinical Nurses / 한국직업건강간호학회지

Purpose@#This study was conducted to investigate the mediating effects of mindfulness and growth mindset on the relationship between occupational stress and happiness among clinical nurses. @*Methods@#The participants were 220 clinical nurses working in two hospitals in D city. Self-report questionnaires were used to collect the data, which were analyzed using t-test, one-way ANOVA, Pearson’s correlation coefficients, hierarchical multiple regression, and Sobel test. Results: Occupational stress had significant negative correlations with happiness, mindfulness, and growth mindset. On the other hand, mindfulness and growth mindset had significant positive correlations with happiness. Meanwhile, partial mediating effects of mindfulness and growth mindset were found on the relationship between occupational stress and happiness. @*Conclusion@#Mindfulness and growth mindset can play an important role in buffering the negative influence of occupational stress on the happiness of clinical nurses. Therefore, interventions that ease occupational stress and encourage mindfulness and growth mindset are recommended to increase happiness among clinical nurses.

The Mediating Effects of Mindfulness and Growth Mindset on the Relationship between Occupational Stress and Happiness among Clinical Nurses / 한국직업건강간호학회지

Purpose@#This study was conducted to investigate the mediating effects of mindfulness and growth mindset on the relationship between occupational stress and happiness among clinical nurses. @*Methods@#The participants were 220 clinical nurses working in two hospitals in D city. Self-report questionnaires were used to collect the data, which were analyzed using t-test, one-way ANOVA, Pearson’s correlation coefficients, hierarchical multiple regression, and Sobel test. Results: Occupational stress had significant negative correlations with happiness, mindfulness, and growth mindset. On the other hand, mindfulness and growth mindset had significant positive correlations with happiness. Meanwhile, partial mediating effects of mindfulness and growth mindset were found on the relationship between occupational stress and happiness. @*Conclusion@#Mindfulness and growth mindset can play an important role in buffering the negative influence of occupational stress on the happiness of clinical nurses. Therefore, interventions that ease occupational stress and encourage mindfulness and growth mindset are recommended to increase happiness among clinical nurses.

The Mediation Effect of Frustrated Interpersonal Needs on the Relationship between Non-suicidal Self-harm and Suicidal Ideation among College Students / 정신간호학회지

Purpose@#This study explored the relationship between non-suicidal self-harm and suicidal ideation and examined the mediating role of frustrated interpersonal needs on the relationship between non-suicidal self-harm and suicidal ideation based on the Interpersonal Theory of Suicide. @*Methods@#A cross-sectional, descriptive study was conducted with 333 college students in Korea. Subjects completed a packet of self-report questionnaires through an on-line survey. The analyses were conducted with IBM SPSS Statistics 25 using descriptive statistics, independent T-test, one-way ANOVA, and Pearson’s correlation coefficients. Bootstrapping was adopted for significance tests regarding the mediation effect. @*Results@#Among the subjects, 156 students (46.8%) had non-suicide self-harm experiences. The levels of suicidal ideation were significantly different by gender. Students with experiences of non-suicidal self-harm reported significantly higher levels of frustrated interpersonal needs and suicidal ideation than those without such experiences. The relationship between non-suicidal self-harm and intensity of suicidal ideation was partially mediated by thwarted belongingness, but not perceived burdensomeness. @*Conclusion@#Findings of this study suggest the inclusion of effective strategies that can have a positive effect on ameliorating thwarted belongingness in developing suicide prevention programs for college students with experiences of non-suicidal self-harm.

Factors influencing clinical nurses’ advocacy for people with disability / 한국간호교육학회지

Purpose@#Clinical nurses are the ideal health care providers to advocate for vulnerable and underserved populations such as people with disability. This study aimed to understand factors influencing nursing advocacy for people with disability among clinical nurses. @*Methods@#The subjects of this study were 186 clinical nurses who were working in three hospitals in B and D cities. Self-report questionnaires were used to collect the data. Data were analyzed using IBM SPSS Statistics 25 with descriptive statistics, t-test, one-way ANOVA, Pearson’s correlation coefficients, and multiple regression analysis. @*Results@#Clinical experience and esthetical nursing competency have positive correlations with nursing advocacy, and optimism-human rights has a negative correlation with nursing advocacy. Factors influencing nursing advocacy for people with disability were identified as patient directivity (β=0.36, p=.001), optimism-human rights (β=-0.18, p=.008) and clinical experience (≥10) (β=0.14, p=.036). The final model consisting of these factors explained 19% of the variance of nursing advocacy (F=14.99, p=.001). @*Conclusion@#The findings of this study indicate the importance of developing and implementing nursing interventions that can improve patient directivity and optimism-human rights toward people with disability among clinical nurses. These nursing advocacy interventions can be provided as part of continuing education as well as the nursing curriculum.

Factors Influencing Happiness among Pregnant Women in the Ecological Systems Theory

PURPOSE: This study tries to systematically understand factors that explain levels of happiness among pregnant women in the Ecological systems theory. METHODS: A descriptive, cross-sectional study was conducted with 169 pregnant women in Korea. Collected data from self-report questionnaires were analyzed by hierarchical regression analysis using the SPSS statistics 23 program. RESULTS: A total of 5 models were examined according to individual, microsystem, mesosystem, exosystem, and macrosystem in the Ecological systems theory. In the first model including individual factors, extraversion, neuroticism, and physical and psychological change constitute significant factors explaining happiness. In the second model with microsystem factors and in the third one with mesosystem factors, marital intimacy appears to be a significant factor. In the fourth model including exosystem factors, community service is a significant factor. In the final model with social atmosphere, personality (β=.15 for extraversion; β=−.30 for neuroticism), physical and psychological change (β=−.15), marital intimacy (β=.35), and community service (β= .18) turn out to be significant. These factors explain 59% of the variance of happiness in the pregnant women in Korea. CONCLUSION: Considering the fact that pregnant women's happiness is explained by microsystem and exosystem factors as well as individual factors, developing intervention programs that can promote influencing factors such as marital intimacy and community service is necessary to improve levels of happiness among pregnant women in Korea.

Influence of Perfectionism and Coping Styles on Burnout in Clinical Nurses / 산업간호학회지

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to identify the influencing factors on burnout after analyzing the relationship among clinical nurses' various perfectionism and coping styles. METHODS: A descriptive, cross-sectional study was conducted with 200 clinical nurses who had six months or more years of clinical experiences from two general hospitals located in D city. The data were analyzed by t-test, one-way ANOVA, Pearson's correlation coefficients, and stepwise regression analysis using IBM SPSS statistics 23.0 program. RESULTS: The burnout of clinical nurses was positively correlated with socially prescribed perfectionism and negatively correlated with active coping style. Socially prescribed perfectionism was positively correlated with active coping style and passive coping style. Influencing factors on the burnout of clinical nurses were socially prescribed perfectionism (β=.37), satisfied work unit (β=−.64) and neutral satisfaction of work unit (β=−.27), over 40 years of age (β=−.21), and active coping style (β=−.14). The model consisting of these variables explained 42% of variance of burnout in clinical nurses. CONCLUSION: Based on the findings of this study developing intervention programs that consider influencing factors such as perfectionism and coping styles is needed to reduce the level of burnout of clinical nurses.

Influence of Perfectionism and Coping Styles on Burnout in Clinical Nurses / 한국직업건강간호학회지

PURPOSE@#The purpose of this study was to identify the influencing factors on burnout after analyzing the relationship among clinical nurses' various perfectionism and coping styles.@*METHODS@#A descriptive, cross-sectional study was conducted with 200 clinical nurses who had six months or more years of clinical experiences from two general hospitals located in D city. The data were analyzed by t-test, one-way ANOVA, Pearson's correlation coefficients, and stepwise regression analysis using IBM SPSS statistics 23.0 program.@*RESULTS@#The burnout of clinical nurses was positively correlated with socially prescribed perfectionism and negatively correlated with active coping style. Socially prescribed perfectionism was positively correlated with active coping style and passive coping style. Influencing factors on the burnout of clinical nurses were socially prescribed perfectionism (β=.37), satisfied work unit (β=−.64) and neutral satisfaction of work unit (β=−.27), over 40 years of age (β=−.21), and active coping style (β=−.14). The model consisting of these variables explained 42% of variance of burnout in clinical nurses.@*CONCLUSION@#Based on the findings of this study developing intervention programs that consider influencing factors such as perfectionism and coping styles is needed to reduce the level of burnout of clinical nurses.

The Relationships between Sexual Intercourse and Health Risk Behaviors in Korean and US Adolescents

PURPOSE: Early sexual intercourse is associated with poor health outcomes in adolescents. It is known that sexual intercourse coincides with other health risk behaviors such as smoking, drinking, and using drugs. The purpose of this study is to identify the relationships between sexual intercourse and health risk behaviors among Korean and US adolescents using nationally representative data. METHODS: Data were collected from the 2011 Korea Youth Risk Behavior Web-based Survey (29,676 students) and 2011 Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance System (10,135 high school students). Logistic regression analysis was performed. RESULTS: In Korea, students who had sexual intercourse accounted for 7.0% in total. Among these, 9.7% were male and 4.2% were female students. In the US, a total of 51.3% students had sexual intercourse, and the proportion of the US male (49.3%) and female (53.4%) students who had sexual intercourse was similar. Korean and US students who experienced sexual intercourse were more likely to smoke, drink alcohol, and use drugs. CONCLUSION: Since the results of this study show the relationships between sexual intercourse and health risk behaviors, it is necessary to develop comprehensive sex education programs with effective strategies to reduce health risk behaviors in adolescents.

The Mediating Effect of Resilience on the Relationship between Emotional Labor and Happiness of Clinical Nurses / 한국직업건강간호학회지

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to investigate the mediating effect of resilience on the relationship between emotional labor and happiness of clinical nurses. METHODS: A descriptive, cross-sectional study was conducted with 224 clinical nurses who had one or more years of clinical experiences from four general hospitals in D city in Korea. Data collected from the survey using self-reported questionnaires were analyzed by t-test, one-way ANOVA, Pearson's correlation coefficients, and multiple regression analysis using IBM SPSS statistics 21.0 program. RESULTS: There were statistically significant correlations among variables; a negative correlation between happiness and emotional labor, a positive correlation between happiness and resilience, and a negative correlation between emotional labor and resilience. Meanwhile, resilience had a partial mediating effect on the relationship between emotional labor and happiness. That is, resilience can play an important role between emotional labor and happiness of clinical nurses as a mediator. CONCLUSION: Considering the findings of this study, developing programs that can improve resilience of clinical nurses who experience emotional labor are needed to increase their level of happiness.

Relationships among Emotional Labor, Self Efficacy, and Burnout of Employees in Public Health Centers / 한국직업건강간호학회지

PURPOSE: The purpose of this descriptive, cross-sectional study was to examine relationships among emotional labor, self-efficacy, and burnout of employees in public health centers. Factors that influence burnout of workers were also assessed. METHODS: One hundred sixty six workers in public health centers completed a pack of self-report questionnaires. Collected data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, t-test, one-way ANOVA along with Scheffe test, and stepwise multiple regression. RESULTS: Employees in public health centers seemed to experience emotional labor to some extent. There were statistically significant differences in burnout depending on the age of workers. Employees' burnout had a positive relationship with emotional labor and a negative relationship with self-efficacy. Factors influencing burnout of employees in public health centers were emotional dissonance, surveillance & monitoring of organization, age, and self-efficacy. CONCLUSION: Considering the findings from this study, health care providers need to develop effective interventions which increase the level of self-efficacy and decrease certain types of emotional labor for employees in public health centers and to help them effectively manage burnout.

Nursing Students' Human Rights Sensitivity and Perception of Patients' Rights / 한국간호교육학회지

PURPOSE: This study aimed to explore human rights sensitivity and the perception of patients' rights among nursing students. For the study, 253 nursing students from K and D universities located in Daegu and the Gyeongbuk region were asked to participate. METHODS: Data were analyzed using IBM SPSS Statistics 20.0; in addition, descriptive statistics, a t-test, and a one-way ANOVA were used. RESULTS: The average human rights sensitivity score was 2.40 out of 5 points. Human rights sensitivity was significantly different in education experiences in regards to human rights after getting into nursing school and in nursing courses, as well as experiences of clinical practice. Among the six episodes that measured human rights sensitivity, nursing students reported the highest score on the right to the pursuit of happiness of older people and the lowest score was reported on the right to privacy. The average score of patients' rights perception was 4.53 out of 5 points. In particular, nursing students considered the right to enjoy human worth/dignity and the right to equality to be the most important of patients' rights. Patients' rights perception, in general, was significantly different depending on the number of family members. CONCLUSION: It is needed to develop an effective nursing curriculum in order to improve nursing students' human rights sensitivity and foster positive perceptions regarding patients' rights.

Adaptation in Families of Children with Down Syndrome: A Mixed-methods Design

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study, which was guided by the Resiliency Model of Family Stress, Adjustment, and Adaptation, was twofold: (a) to explore family and parental adaptation and factors influencing family adaptation in Korean families of children with Down syndrome (DS) through a quantitative methodology and (b) to understand the life with a Korean child with DS through a qualitative method. METHODS: A mixed-methods design was adopted. A total of 147 parents of children with DS completed a package of questionnaires, and 19 parents participated in the in-depth interviews. Quantitative and qualitative data were analyzed using stepwise multiple regression and content analysis respectively. RESULTS: According to the quantitative data, the overall family adaptation scores indicated average family functioning. Financial status was an important variable in understanding both family and parental adaptation. Family adaptation was best explained by family problem solving and coping communication, condition management ability, and family hardiness. Family strains and family hardiness were the family factors with the most influence on parental adaption. Qualitative data analysis showed that family life with a child with DS encompassed both positive and negative aspects and was expressed with 5 themes, 10 categories, and 16 sub-categories. CONCLUSION: Results of this study expand our limited knowledge and understanding concerning families of children with DS in Korea and can be used to develop effective interventions to improve the adaptation of family as a unit as well as parental adaptation.

Relationships among Self Efficacy, Social Support, and Health Promoting Behaviors in Correctional Officers / 한국직업건강간호학회지

PURPOSE: The purpose of this descriptive, cross-sectional study was to examine relationships among self efficacy, social support, and health promoting behaviors in correctional officers. Factors that influence health promoting behaviors of correctional officers were also assessed. METHODS: Two hundred correctional officers completed a pack of self-report questionnaires. Collected data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, t-test, one-way ANOVA, and multiple regression. RESULTS: There were statistically significant differences in health promoting behaviors depending on marital status and subjective health status. Significant positive correlations among self-efficacy, social support, and health promoting behaviors were found. Factors influencing health promoting behaviors of correctional officers were social support, subjective health status, marital status, and self-efficacy. CONCLUSION: Considering the findings from this study, health care providers need to develop effective nursing interventions which increase the level of self-efficacy and social support for correctional officers and to help correctional officers practice health promoting behaviors.

Factors Influencing the Value of Having Children among University Students / 한국간호교육학회지

PURPOSE: This study undertakes to identify factors influencing the perception university students in Korea hold toward having children. METHODS: A cross-sectional, descriptive study was conducted on 187 university students (79 males and 108 females) from one university located in a metropolitan area. Participating students completed a packet of self-report questionnaires on values concerning gender roles, marriage, family and children along with their personal demographic details. The resulting data were analyzed using t-tests, one-way ANOVA and Pearson's correlation coefficients as well as descriptive statistics. Stepwise multiple regression was performed to identify factors that most influenced the value of children held among university students. RESULTS: The value of having children was negatively associated with the value of family, but positively associated with the value of marriage. In addition, the value of family had a negative relationship with the value of marriage, but a positive relationship with the value of gender role. Stepwise multiple regression found that the equation consisting of gender and value of marriage explained about 42.0% of the variance of the value of having children. CONCLUSION: Considering the findings from this study, programs promoting the positive values of marriage are required for university students to have positive values toward having children.