Structural Equation Modeling for Public Hospital Quality of Care, Image, Role Performance, Satisfaction, Intent to (Re)visit, and Intent to Recommend Hospital as Perceived by Community Residents

PURPOSE: The study purposes were to construct and test structural equation modeling on the causal relationship of community residents' perceived quality of care, image, and role performance with satisfaction, intention to (re)visit and intention to recommend hospital. METHODS: A cross-sectional survey was conducted with 3,900 community residents from 39 district public hospitals. The questionnaire was designed to collected information on personal characteristics and community awareness of public hospitals. Community awareness consisted of 6 factors and 18 items. The data were collected utilizing call-interview by a survey company. Research data were collected via questionnaires and analyzed using SPSS version 20.0 and AMOS version 20.0. RESULTS: Model fit indices for the hypothetical model were suitable for the recommended level: chi2=796.40 (df=79, p <.001), GFI=.93, AGFI=.90, RMSR=.08, NFI=.94. Quality of care, image, and role performance explained 68.1% of variance in community awareness. Total effect of quality of care process factors on satisfaction (path coefficients=3.67), intention to (re)visit (path coefficients=2.67) and intention to recommend hospital (coefficients=2.45) were higher than other factors. CONCLUSION: Findings show that public hospitals have to make an effort to improve community image through the provision of quality care, and excellent role performance. Support for these activities is available from both Central and Local Governments.

Expectations of Middle aged Women for a life of Happiness to the Spouse

PURPOSE: This study was to define and analyze the expectations of middle-aged woman to their spouse. METHODS: A sample of 39 middle-aged women was recruited from the workplace, religious organization and acquaintances. The survey was conducted with participants using self-reported questionnaire. The data were analyzed using Q methodology. RESULTS: There were four different types of expectations of middle-aged women. First type was "Collaborative and self-development type," meaning that women developed self and were collaborated with their family or spouses. The second type was "Maintain their own life" meaning that women recognized and maintained their expertise without interference from their spouses. The third one was "Respect for the inner value" meaning that women gave continued respect and understanding their inner value. The last one was "Realistic acceptance" meaning that women kept the current situation without implementing new self-development type. CONCLUSION: There is a subjective structure within the types of expectations of middle-aged women for a life of happiness to the spouse.

A Study of Humor as a Nursing Intervention for Hospitalized Children / 아동간호학회지

PURPOSE: Humor is an important part of life. Humor has many benefits as an intervention for hospitalized children. Humor is one strategy that pediatric nurses can use to help children cope with illness and hospitalizations. The purposes of the study were to 1) review the definition of humor, 2) identify methods and skills in using humor as an intervention, 3) identify the effects of humor as an intervention, and 4) suggest further research. METHOD: The design was a descriptive study with literature review. Previous studies were identified by searches of MEDLINE, CHNIAL, PUBMED and ProQuest. RESULTS: Humor has positive physiological, psychological, social and communicative effects on patients and humor has a positive effect on the immune system. CONCLUSION: The main point identified from this study suggests that humor as a nursing intervention be developed for nurses to use with children who are hospitalized. Further research is needed to develop programs for humor as an intervention for health promotion and disease prevention in children.

Dimensions and Attributes of Quality of Life in Korean School-age Children / 아동간호학회지

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to describe quality of life (QOL) in Korean school-age children by identifying dimensions and attributes of QOL from the child's point of view. METHOD: In-depth interviews with focus questions were used for the study. Twelve children, aged 10 to 13 years, were recruited from Seoul and rural areas. The interviews were audio-taped and transcribed before content analysis. The data were analyzed for themes and attributes. The researchers read the data together and discussed their conclusions until a consensus was reached. RESULTS: Eight dimensions, 57 subdimensions and 101atttributes were identified for QOL in school-age children. The eight dimensions of QOL were physical, social, emotional, learning, leisure, family, self-value, and material aspects. CONCLUSION: The study results can be utilized in developing reliable instruments to measure quality of life specific to school-age children. It is proposed that a consistent and unified policy should be established by school, family, and community for the purpose of improving the QOL of school-age children.