Awareness of Good Death and Attitudes toward Terminal Care among Geriatric Hospital Nurses / 한국호스피스완화의료학회지

PURPOSE: We conducted a descriptive correlational study to determine a relationship between nurses' awareness of good death and attitudes toward terminal care, which in turn could be used as basic data for improvement of the quality of terminal care at geriatric hospitals. METHODS: From April 3, 2013 through April 22, 2013, data were collected from 230 nurses working at geriatric hospitals. RESULTS: Nurses' attitudes toward terminal care showed no significant correlation with awareness of good death, but it was positively correlated with a sense of closeness, a subfactor of awareness of good death. There was negative correlation between emotions regarding a deathbed, a subfactor of attitudes of nurses in charge of terminal patients, and awareness of good death. We found positive correlation between terminal care performance and awareness of good death. CONCLUSION: This study warrants the need for nursing education catered to characteristics of geriatric hospitals and development of diverse intervention strategies to help them to attain a positive attitude toward death by familiarizing themselves with the concept of good death and enhancing job satisfaction.

Factors Influencing Sleep Quality among Middle-aged Male Workers / 한국직업건강간호학회지

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to identify quality of sleep and its influencing factor among middle-aged male workers. METHODS: The subjects of this study were 411 middle-aged male workers living in Seoul and Gyeonggi-do. The data were based from self-reported using structured questionnaires asking about low urinary tract symptoms, circadian rhythm, quality of life and sleep quality including general characteristics. The data were collected from September 11 to October 31, 2013 and analyzed by t-test, one-way ANOVA, Pearson correlation coefficient and hierarchical regression. RESULTS: Mean score of the sleep quality was 5.03+/-2.57 (range: 0~21) and reported as bad sleep quality in 55.7%. Low urinary tract symptoms (beta=.30, p<.001), circadian rhythm (beta=-.17, p<.001), quality of life (beta=-.14, p<.001) were shown as significant association of sleep quality. CONCLUSION: Strategies to improve sleep quality in middle-aged male workers are necessary and nursing intervention should be developed to improve education program for prevention and management of low urinary tract symptoms. It is also necessary to legalize the institutional devices to upgrade work environment and to place regulations on overtime at work places in order for these workers to obtain sufficient sleep time for recovery of biological rhythms and improving sleep quality.

Factors Influencing Sleep Quality among Middle-aged Male Workers / 산업간호학회지

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to identify quality of sleep and its influencing factor among middle-aged male workers. METHODS: The subjects of this study were 411 middle-aged male workers living in Seoul and Gyeonggi-do. The data were based from self-reported using structured questionnaires asking about low urinary tract symptoms, circadian rhythm, quality of life and sleep quality including general characteristics. The data were collected from September 11 to October 31, 2013 and analyzed by t-test, one-way ANOVA, Pearson correlation coefficient and hierarchical regression. RESULTS: Mean score of the sleep quality was 5.03+/-2.57 (range: 0~21) and reported as bad sleep quality in 55.7%. Low urinary tract symptoms (beta=.30, p<.001), circadian rhythm (beta=-.17, p<.001), quality of life (beta=-.14, p<.001) were shown as significant association of sleep quality. CONCLUSION: Strategies to improve sleep quality in middle-aged male workers are necessary and nursing intervention should be developed to improve education program for prevention and management of low urinary tract symptoms. It is also necessary to legalize the institutional devices to upgrade work environment and to place regulations on overtime at work places in order for these workers to obtain sufficient sleep time for recovery of biological rhythms and improving sleep quality.

Influencing Factors of the Organizational Commitment among Hospital Nurses / 한국직업건강간호학회지

PURPOSE: The study aimed to identify influencing factors associated with the organizational commitment (OC) among hospital nurses. METHODS: A descriptive correlational design was utilized. The subjects of this study were 447 female nurses working for over 6 months in Seoul. The study was based on the data from a self-reported survey using structured questionnaires. The data were collected from September 10 to 30, 2009 and analyzed using Pearson's correlation coefficients and stepwise multiple regression analysis. RESULTS: The mean score of the OC was 2.45, slightly higher than the intermediate level. The mean score of the three-dimensional domain among the OC, affective commitment (AC) was 2.50, continuance commitment (CC) was 2.59, and normative commitment (NC) was 2.29. The influencing factors of nurses' AC were perceived organizational support (POS) (beta=.31, p<.001), supervisory trust, job burnout, nursing professionalism, and age, which accounted for 49.7%. The influencing factors of the CC were supervisory trust (beta=.20, p<.001), POS, and job burnout whereas the influencing factors of the NC were POS (beta=.40, p<.001), supervisory trust, nursing professionalism, and job burnout. CONCLUSION: It is necessary to develop supportive strategies that increase OC, which also improve the POS, nursing professionalism, and supervisory trust, and alleviate job burnout in hospital nurses.

Factors Affecting Spiritual Well-being in Underprivileged Older Women Living Alone / 기본간호학회지

PURPOSE: This study was done to identity the spiritual state of elderly women who live alone, and factors which affect their spiritual well-being. It was a predictive study using correlations. METHODS: Data were collected to identify spiritual well-being of underprivileged older women who live alone and their demographic characteristics, activities of daily living, social support, self-efficacy, and health promotion behavior. Participants were 210 underprivileged women, over 65 years of age and living in permanent-rented apartments in Kyonggi Province. Collected data were analyzed using Pearson correlation coefficients and stepwise multiple regression analysis. RESULTS: Scores for spiritual well-being were higher than the medium, 3.77, out of a possible 6. Health promotion behavior (beta=.22, t=3.51, p=.001), religion (beta=.38, t=7.95, p<.001), self-efficacy (beta=.25, t=4.63, p<.001), social support received (beta=.23, t=3.96, p<.001), length of time living alone (beta=.12, t=2.51, p=.013), and age (beta=.11, t=2.24, p=.026) were significant factors affecting spiritual well-being. CONCLUSION: The result of the study indicate that to enhance the well-being of underprivileged elderly women, it is necessary to increase health-promotion activity rates and identify mediation strategies to promote social support and self-efficacy.

The Relationship of Emotional Labor, Empowerment, Job Burnout and Turnover Intention of Clinical Nurses / 산업간호학회지

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to identify the relationships among emotional labor, empowerment, job burnout, and turnover intention. METHODS: The design of this study was a cross-sectional descriptive study. The subjects of this study were 358 nurses working for over 6 months in Seoul and Gyeonggi-do. The data were collected from 4th to 30th of September, 2009 through one-to-one interviews. Survey data were analyzed using t-test, one-way ANOVA, Pearson's correlation coefficient, and hierarchical regression. RESULTS: We find the positive correlation of turnover intention with emotional labor and with job burnout, but the negative correlation of empowerment with job burnout and with turnover intention. The nurses' turnover intention scores were relatively low with 1.30. Job burnout, shift work, and frequency of turnover were predictors of turnover intention. The most powerful predictor variable was job burnout (beta=.420, p<.001). We find that emotional labor and empowerment as determinants of turnover intention are not significant. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that manager should consider shift work of nurses and job burnout in order to manage nurse organization and resource effectively.

Effects of Tai Chi Exercise in Elderly with Knee Osteoarthritis / 간호학회지

PURPOSE: This study was to determine whether the Sun-style 24 forms of Tai Chi exercise improve pain, stiffness, disability, knee joint motion, mobility, balance or falling. METHOD: Forty-six community-dwelling elderly subjects (mean age, 75.46+/-6.28) voluntarily participated in an intervention group of either 24 forms of Sun-style Tai Chi for 60 min, 2 times per week for 12 weeks or a control group. A non-equivalent pretest-posttest design was used. Independent t-test and ANCOVA were used to examine group differences by using SPSS12.0. RESULT: The experimental group had significantly less pain (F=7.60, p=.008) and stiffness (t=-3.19, p=.003) than the control group. Also there were significant improvements in knee joint motion on the right knee (t=2.44, p=.019), left knee (t=2.30, p=.026), rising time (F=8.03, p=.07), balance on the left single leg test (t=2.20, p=.033), and fear of falling (t=-2.33, p=.024) in the Tai Chi exercise group. No significant group differences were found in disability and falls efficacy. CONCLUSION: The Sun-style 24 forms Tai Chi exercise is effective in decreasing pain, stiffness, fear of falling and it improves balance, rising time, and knee joint motion. We suggest a continuing long term intervention to decrease disability and increase efficacy concerning falls.

A Study on the Health Behaviors, Physical Function, and Life Satisfaction for Elderly Women / 여성건강간호학회지

PURPOSE: This study was done to identify health behaviors, physical function, and life satisfaction in elderly women. Also, the study was done to identify the relationship among the variables of health behaviors, physical function, and life satisfaction in elderly women. METHOD: The subjects of this study were 205 elderly women. Data were collected through personal interviews using questionnaires from March to October 2005. Data were analyzed with the SPSS program. Result: There was a significant difference in health behaviors related to spouse, life satisfaction and education, social security and monthly income. There were significant relationships among health behaviors, physical function, and life satisfaction for elderly women. CONCLUSION: The findings of this study give useful information for constructing a health-welfare program for elderly women.

A Study on the Use of Complementary and Alternative Therapies in Korean Adults / 성인간호학회지

PURPOSE: This descriptive study was conducted to identify the use of complementary and alternative therapies, and the perception and attitudes toward CAT in Korean adults. METHODS: The 1,010 study subjects were recruited from ten regions in South Korea. Data were collected from July to September, 2004. RESULTS: The 43.2% of the sample(n=436) had an experience of using CAT. The subjects using CAT was more likely to have high score in the CAT perception compared to the subjects with no experience of CAT(p=.001). The primary source of information about CAT was mass media(59.7%). The 52.4% of the sample answered that CAT was supplementary and the 27.7% answered CAT was applicable to chronic pain or musculoskeletal disorders. Subjects(34.8%) pointed out that the greatest problem was no scientific informant in the use of CAT. The primary reason of using CAT was to maintain their health or to prevent disease(44.0%), and the 59.0% of the subjects responded that CAT was effective. Majority of subjects were satisfied with CAT(63.3%) and experienced no side effects of CAT(90.6%). CONCLUSION: This study suggests that professional counseling and education for CAT is needed for Korean public as well as the research approach to test the effects of CAT.

A Study on the Perceived Health Status, Depression, and Activities of Daily Living for the Elderly in Urban Areas / 여성건강간호학회지

PURPOSE: The study was done to identify the perceived health status, depression, and activities of daily living(ADL+IADL) of elderly women and men, and to define the difference between the two groups. In addition this study investigated the relationships among the variables of perceived health status, depression, and activities of daily living of both groups. METHOD: The subjects of this study were 579 elderly people over 65 years living in urban area. Data was collected through personal interviews using questionnaires from March to October 2005. Data was analyzed with the SPSS program. RESULT: There was a significant difference of perceived health status, depression, and activities of daily living(ADL+IADL) between the elderly women and men groups. There was a significant relationship among variables of perceived health status, depression, and activities of daily living in elderly men. However, there was no significant relationship among the variables in elderly women. CONCLUSION: The findings of this study give useful information for constructing an intervention program and care for elderly women and men.

A Study on the Factors Influencing Depression among Elderly People with, and without, Dementia / 기본간호학회지

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to identify the factors that affect depression among elderly people with, and without, dementia. METHOD: The participants were 903 people who were 65 or older and resided in Sungnam City. Data were collected from April to July 2002 using a questionnaire. The collected data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and hierarchical multiple regression aided by SPSS/PC. RESULT: The variables at the final step of the regression equation accounted for 28.2% of variance in the dementia group, 21.4% in the group with suspicious dementia, and 18.9% in the normal group. The multiple regression analysis revealed that ADL and instrumental support were related significantly to depression in the dementia group. Self-rated health, IADL, social activity support, and instrumental support were significantly related to depression in the group with suspicious dementia. In the normal group, education, self-rated health, and living arrangement with family were significantly related to depression. CONCLUSION: Social support and health condition are important to decrease depression in elderly people with dementia.

A Study on the Caregiving in Elderly of the Female Family Caregivers / 성인간호학회지

PURPOSE: The purpose of this Study was to identify the factors that affect the caregiving burdens felt by the female family caregivers and quality of caregiving. METHOD: The subjects were 247 female family caregivers who were living with the elderly and were residing in Seoul. Data was collected from June 30, 2000 to Agust 11 by using questionnaire. The collected data was analyzed using descriptive statistics and hierarchial multiple regression with SAS/PC. RESULT: Situational factors had the greatest influence on the caregiving burdens. While the interactive factors of discrepancy between past and present image of elder and the caregiving belief were proven to be significant, the former had greater influence. The factors affecting the quality of caregiving, this is greatly influenced by situational factors and interactive factors. The discrepancy between past and present image of elder had relatively little influence while caregiving belief had the greatest influence. Among the situational factors, family stress had the greatest influence, while the caregiving burdens had little influence on the quality of caregiving. CONCLUSION: In order to improve the quality of caregiving in elderly by the female caregiver in the family, and to reduce the caregiving burdens, it is important to consider variables related to interaction as well as those directly concerned with caregiver and the elderly for nursing intervention.

A Subjectivity Study on the Meaning of Aging for Elders / 기본간호학회지

This study is designed to investigate what elders think about the meaning of aging. We have used Q-methods to identify meaning of aging from elders, and developed self-referenced surveys to analyze characteristics In this study, we used a non-structured method to select Q sampling. From 183 Q populations, we selected 36 Q sampling. A total of 32 persons sixty-years or older were randomly selected for P samples. When the Q-sorting was complete, we interviewed the participants at both end of the extremes (agree or disagree), and documented their responses. We used PC QUANL to process the data and used principal component analysis for Q factor analysis. There were five subjective types for the meaning of aging by elders. Of the 32 P-samples of elders, 11 were identified as Type 1, 7 as Type 2, 2 as Type 3, 8 as Type 4, and 4 as Type 5. Type 1 : "Matured elders" Elders wished the well being of their children, thought older persons should maintain good health, worried about becoming senile, and dependent God believing in life after death. Type 2 : "Assertive-Rights" Elders categorized as Assertive-Rights insisted on their rights to life as a person. Type 2 elders characterized themselves as people who should keep themselves healthy, become weak and lack sexual desires, act selfish like a child, need to be protected, and be financially independent. Type 3 : "Passive-Dependents" Elders characterize themselves as those who pray for their children's well being, worry about the children even after their death, and becoming senile. Type 4 : "Hopeless" The "Hopeless" type of elders characterized aging as a time to pray for their children, insignificant beings, thoughts were selfish and child-like, poor, worried about going senile, regret their life overall, and preferred to die than to live as an old person. Type 5 : "Attached-Present" The "Attached-Present" type of elders thought elderly characterized themselves as acting selfish and child-like, wiser, anxious, regret their life, stand aloof of greed and worldly things, being a model for the society, and deserving to be treated with filial respect. Thus far, Korean elders seemed to have a positive and negative meaning of aging due to the current changes in the society, value system, and family structures. The above five subjective meanings of aging confirm that we need to approach and nurse the elderly differently. Years of aging are a part of and a natural process of life with various physical, psychological, and sociological changes. Nurses need to assist elderly to find the positive meaning of their life by providing appropriate physical, psychological, and social support at an earlier stage in nursing. Based on this study, we could derive the following two implication from the perspectives of science of nursing to care for elders. 1) Based on the studies investigating the type of meaning of aging, we could develop tools to assist in nursing intervention programs for elderly. 2) Based on research on the meaning of aging for different developmental stages of life, we could develop a model for roles for different family members in nursing and caring for the elders.

A Comparison of Phenomenological Research Methodology: Focused on Giorgi, Colaizzi, Van Kaam Methods / 간호학회지

The purpose of this study was to describe the differences in three phenomenological research methods used to understand the experience of families of patients with cancer and so provide as guideline to novices first attempting qualitative research. The subjects were 3 family members - spouse, daughter, daughter-in-law -of cancer patients at S-hospital. Unstructured deep interviews were carried out and taped for further analyzed. Interviews were analyzed using three phenomenological methods ; Giorgi's, Colazzi's, and Van Kaam's. The results are as follows: The experience of family the analyzed using Giorgi's method showed different characteristics according to the family members' role. According to Colaizzi's method, they experienced burden, a willingness to care, role conflict, thanks to family and significant others, and ambivalence about treatment. Using Van Kaam's methodology, two categories were identified ; change of family function and burden. Themes in change of family function were positive attitude(9), role conflict(6), negative attitude(5), active attitude(2), and passive attitude(2) ; Themes in burden were emotional burden, physical burden, and economic burden. The result from using Giorgi's method were centered or individual characteristics and these results constituteds situational structured description and a general structured description. From Colaizzi's method the focus was on the common experience of all fo the subjects. In Van Kaam's method, subthemes (13), themes(8), and categories(2) were identified. So researchers should choose the qualitative method according to their research goals and methodological characteristics.

Study on the Adolescent's Attitude Patterns toward the Meaning of Aging and the Elderly: Q-Methodology / 아동간호학회지

The lengthened average span of human life by virtue of recent developments in medicine has caused the population of elders to increase. The development of modern industrial society has transformed family structure from the large family system to that of a nuclear family. Due to the shift in family structure, the problem of support for the aged has surfaced as a nursing problem as well as a social problem. With regard to this problem, this study aims to investigate the adolescent's understanding of elders and aging. By identifying their understanding and classifying their attitude patterns, this study will help the nursing assessment of the support of elders in the family. This study employed Q-methodology, and the research was conducted from December, 1998 to May, 1999. One method of the research included deep interviews with elders, those who are in their 50's, 40's or 30's, and the adolescent. 183 Q-populations taken from literary works such as poems or novels were also formed as another method. Finally, 36 Q-cards were made after consultation with professors of the nursing department. The subjects of the P- sample were 30 high schoolboys/girls - who were in first, second, and third years. The result showed that 3 factors provided an explanation for 59.14% of the whole variables: the first factor, 41.37%; the second factor, 11.49%; and the third factor, 6.28%. These three factors were analyzed and categorized as three types. Twenty subjects out of the 30 were included in Type 1: Respecting Elders. The statements which showed the most positive consent were as follows: "The declining age is a perfect time to prosper completing a worthy life"; "Getting old, one needs financial stability"; and "Elders wish the best for their children." The statements showing the most negative response were as follows: "It is better to die than to live as an older person"; "Elders are insignificant"; and "Getting old is the worst unhappiness that tortures human."Four subjects were included in Type 2: Resenting Elders. The statements which showed the most positive consent were as follows: "Aging is a process of dying that nobody can escape from"; "Elders should be concerned about his health and try to maintain their health"; and "When you get older, you regret about the life in the past." The statements showing the most negative response were as follows: "When you get older, you should stand aloof greed and worldly things"; "When you get older, you become generous and gentle"; and "When you get he gets old, you change to become a comfortable and warm person." Six out of 30 subject were included in Type 3: Caring Elders. The statements which showed the most positive consent were as follows: "Elders should be concerned about his health and try to maintain their health"; "Elders wish the best for their children"; and "Elders deserve to be treated with filial respects." The statements showing the most negative response were as follows: "Elders are insignificant"; "Elders have freedom and plenty of free time."; and "Elders are alienated form and drove out of the society."The above-mentioned results show that most adolescents in Korea recognize aging as the time of fruition and development; it is a time of benefiting and giving back to society. Aging can also be seen as a time of generosity and magnanimity and the time of respect and favorable treatment from society, despite the change of modern society and the ostensible transformation of a family system. Their recognition seems deeply rooted in the traditional confucian values and the dual family system which is peculiar especially to the Korea - one which maintains both the superficial form of nuclear family and the substantial mode of the enlarged family system. In sum, many Korean adolescents attribute the meaning of the elderly and aging to the type of the respect with the elderly and the type of the elderly's caretaking.