Effects of a Mindfulness-Based Mind-Body Intervention Program using Marine Resources on the Improvement of Sleep Quality and Mood Symptoms in Korean Female Emotional Labor Workers : A Pilot Study / 수면정신생리

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this pilot study was to examine the effects of a mindfulness-based Body-Mind Intervention Program using marine resources on the improvement of quality of sleep, mood symptoms, and cognitive function in Korean female emotional labor workers. METHODS: Twelve female workers who experienced excess emotional labor participated at the training camp program for five days in Danghangpo-ocean park, Goseung-gun, Gyeongnam Province in South Korea. Participant sleep quality, mood symptoms, and cognitive functioning before, after, and 1.5 months later were evaluated and analyzed. RESULTS: After participating in the marine resource program, participants reported significantly decreased sleep latency. Global sleep quality, cognitive functions (attention, flexibility, and inhibition control), and mood states, including depression, tension, anger, fatigue, were also improved. These effects were generally maintained after 1. 5 months (PSQI t = 2.63, p = 0.02 ; HAM-D t = 5.92, p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: A Body-Mind Intervention Program using marine resources was effective in relaxing emotion-related tension and improving cognitive function. To advance this pilot study, it is necessary to carry out further research to investigate the use of marine resources in mental health interventions.

A Study on Self-reliance and Residential Service Needs of Patients with Chronic Mental Illness / 정신신체의학

OBJECTIVES: Residential services are provided to help patients with chronic mental illness, but those have some problems because of provider focused services and uniformized training. So the purpose of the study was to explore residential needs of patients with the chronic mental illness such as chronic schizophrenia. METHODS: A survey was conducted on 139 mental illness patients using mental health facilities at Ansan city area in South Korea. We investigated their demographic and social characteristics, the degree of self-reliance and residential service needs. RESULTS: More than half of them had the desire for self-reliance, and they needed job support mostly. They were positive about the use of residential facilities and needed daily living skill and social skill training. Also they preferred day rehabilitation in type of facility. And they wanted to operate in a way that they returned home at the weekend after group home. CONCLUSIONS: For facilitating the recovery of patients with chronic mental illness, it would be necessary to provide individualized residential rehabilitation services and to improve existing residential facilities and programs reflected on the patients' needs.