Factors Influencing Perception of Good Death among the Community-dwelling Elderly / 한국호스피스완화의료학회지

PURPOSE: This study was conducted to investigate perception of good death among the community-dwelling elderly and identify factors related to the perception. METHODS: A questionnaire survey was carried out using a convenient sampling method (N=317). Data were analyzed by applying descriptive statistics, t-test, ANOVA, Scheffe's test, Pearson's correlation coefficient, and stepwise multiple regression. RESULTS: Participants scored an average of 3.35 on a 4-point scale for the perception level of good death. They scored higher on the factor of personal control that other factors affecting the perception. Good death was positively correlated with family support (r=0.252). Family support (beta=0.287) and gender (beta=0.197) significantly influenced the elderly's perception of good death. These variables accounted for 10.2% of the total variance. CONCLUSION: The results show that family support is an important factor for the perception of good death among the elderly. Therefore, family support should be carefully considered to ensure good death for more senior citizens. Our findings can be utilized to support programs such as death education for the elderly.

Influences of Depression, Stress, and Self-efficacy on the Addiction of Cell Phone Use among University Students / 성인간호학회지

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to investigate the influences of depression, stress, and self-efficacy on the addiction to cell phone use among university students. METHODS: Data were collected through questionnaires from 563 students and analyzed by applying descriptive statistics, t-test, chi-square test, and stepwise multiple regression with SPSS/WIN 16.0. RESULTS: The proportion of depressed subjects was 52.6%. The addictive group scored higher than the non-addictive group in depression rate and stress, but scored lower in self-efficacy. Out of the subjects, 32.9% were found to be addictive users, 31.3% at potential risk, and 1.6% at high risk. Significant variables influencing addictive users were stress, self-efficacy, and the user's general characteristics including monthly spending money, sex, the hours of daily use, and the main method of use. CONCLUSION: It is concluded that such variables should be carefully considered in interventions for university students addicted to cell phone use.

Influencing Factors and Importance of Nurses' Caring Behaviors for Chronically Sick Elderly / 성인간호학회지

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to investigate the importance of nurses' caring behaviors and to identify the factors influencing of nurses' caring behaviors. METHODS: The participants were 404 nurses who were caring the chronically sick elderly in five H university hospitals. Data were collected through self-reported questionnaires on the importance of caring behaviors, nursing professional value and job satisfaction. Data were analyzed with descriptive statistics, t-test, ANOVA, Scheffe-test, Pearson's correlation coefficient and stepwise multiple regression with SPSS/WIN 16.0. RESULTS: The average score for importance of nurses' caring behaviors was 3.38 and the 'professional knowledge and skill' factor was the highest level. The mean score of nursing professional value was 7.53 and job satisfaction, 3.18. Importance of nurses' caring behaviors had a significant positive correlation with nursing professional value, job satisfaction, nurse's age and work experience among demographic variables. Two significant variables influencing importance of nurses' caring behaviors were nursing professional value and job satisfaction. But characteristics of nurses did not influence. CONCLUSION: The findings of this study indicate that importance of nurses' caring behaviors can be improved by intervening factors affecting this importance. Based on the findings of this study, further nursing practice and nursing research for nurses caring the sick elderly should be focused on their nursing professional value and job satisfaction.

Effects of Seogeum Therapy on Obesity for Middle Aged Abdominal Obese Women / 성인간호학회지

PURPOSE: This study was to examine the effects of Seogeum therapy for middle-aged abdominal obese women. METHODS: Seogeum therapy combined cupping, stepping on ion aluminum board, adhering to Seoam moxibustion and Seoam pellet. The subjects consisted of 30 middle-aged abdominal obese women between 40 and 59 years of age: fifteen were assigned to experimental group, fifteen to control group. The data collection and treatments were performed from June to October, 2007. The subjects of experimental group participated in Seogeum therapy for 5 times per week during 8 weeks. The data were analyzed with Chi-square test, Wilcoxon signed rank test and Wilcoxon rank-sum test with SPSS/Window 12.0 program. RESULTS: Seogeum therapy experimental group showed significant difference in change of general obesity indexes(body weight, body fat amount, body fat ratio, BMI) than control group supporting hypothesis 1. Experimental group showed significant difference in change of abdominal obesity indexes(abdominal fat ratio, waist circumference, hip circumference) than control group supporting hypothesis 2. CONCLUSION: Obesity management of Seogeum therapy had a positive effect for middle-aged obese women. Therefore, it is concluded that the obesity management of Seogeum therapy can be applied as a nursing intervention to decrease the obesity for middle-aged women.

The Effect of Compliance, Family Support and Graft Function on Quality of Life in Kidney Transplant Recipients / 대한이식학회지

BACKGROUND: Previous studies have shown that kidney transplant recipients' quality of life depend on compliance of treatment, family support, socioeconomic status. The purpose of this study was to determine whether estimated glomerular filtration rate (GFR) by Modification of Diet in Renal Disease (MDRD) study as a index of graft function influence recipients' quality of life including above mentioned factors. METHODS: One hundred and ten patients who visited out-patient department at least 3 months after kidney transplantation were included in this study. A structured questionnaire was used to collect data. This tool included; quality of life, compliance and family support scale as well as medical record review. The analysing of data was performed with SPSS version 11.5 (SPSS Inc. Chicago, IL, USA). RESULTS: The mean score of the recipients' quality of life (3.59/5), compliance (3.81/5), the support of family (4.02/5) and GFR (63 ml/min/1.73 m2) were revealed respectively. The quality of life was correlated with compliance (r=.260, P<.001) and family support (r=.377, P<.001) statistically. and compliance and family support also revealed correlation (r=.452, P<.001). Family support was the most explainable factor for the quality of life (R2=.142). however, the quality of life was not correlated with recipients' GFR (r=.013 P=0.819). CONCLUSIONS: Results of this study showed that kidney transplant recipients had a moderate quality of life. These findings suggest that emotional aspect like family support is as important as clinical factors such as GFR or compliance for recipients' quality of life. To optimize post-transplant quality of life, implication for interventional programming should be focused on family support.

Effects of Lifestyle and Depression on the Nutritional Status of Elderly People / 기본간호학회지

PURPOSE: This study was conducted to evaluate nutritional status, and the effects of lifestyles and depression on nutritional status of elderly people (NSE). METHOD: The participants were 280 elders who visited the Y city Senior Welfare Center between August 2006 and October 2006. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire that included general characteristics, lifestyle checklist, depression scale, and nutritional risk index. Also, Body Mass Index (BMI) was calculated from height and weight. T-test, ANOVA, Duncan test, Pearson coefficients correlation and stepwise multiple regression were used to analyze the data using the SPSS Win 12.0 program. RESULTS: The NSE mean score was mid level at 5.03. BMI was 23.42 which indicates overweight. Depression was the factor that influenced the nutritional risk index most strongly, accounting for 17.3% of the total variance in the NSE. A combination of significance of health, concerns about health, housing, condition of teeth, activity, and smoking pattern accounted for 29.8% of the variance in the NSE. Condition of teeth accounted for only 3.8% of the variance in BMI. CONCLUSION: It is necessary to be aware that variance in the NSE can be affected by several factors including depression and lifestyle and that depression is strongly related to poorer NSE.

A Study of Nurses' Knowledge Level and Assessment Experience of Delirium / 성인간호학회지

PURPOSE: This study was conducted to examine the knowledge level and assessment experience of nurses in regards to delirium, and to utilize the study results as baseline data for planning delirium education programs for nurses. METHODS: Subjects were 465 nurses who were working in a general hospital. A 'delirium related knowledge and assessment experience' questionnaire was used to collect data. RESULTS: Knowledge levels regarding delirium averaged 70 out of 100, and at each domain, they scored 87 for etiology of delirium, 62 for symptoms, and 69 for nursing management. The knowledge level of delirium was significantly different according to educational level (F=3.851, p=.022), past education related to geriatrics(t=2.471, p=.014), and awareness of need for in-service education on geriatric nursing(F=2.663, p=.032). About 85% of nurses had past experience of dealing with delirious patients and only 7.7% of nurses used delirious state assessment tools. CONCLUSION: According to the above results, it is necessary, not only to provide delirium related educational programs for nurses, but also to emphasize the usefulness of applying the assessment tool.

Obesity-Related Quality of Life in Overweight and Obese Female College Students

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to compare obesity-related quality of life according to obesity classification by BMI (body mass index) and self-assessment. METHODS: The participants were 286 female college students in J City. Data were obtained by measuring height, weight and BMI, and using a questionnaire for self-assessment of obesity, weight control, and quality of life. The quality of life was measured using 14 items of the Korean version of obesity-related quality of life (KOQOL). RESULTS: Thirty five percent of the students assessed themselves as overweight and obese despite their BMI or =23m2/kg who perceived themselves as overweight and obese were 23%. The total KOQOL score between true and false overweight students showed no significant difference. True overweight students had a lower total KOQOL score including psychosocial, physical, daily living, sex related, and food-related domains than true normal weight students. CONCLUSIONS: The quality of life was not different between true and false overweight students. These results indicate that self-assessment about obesity affects the quality of life like as actual BMI in female college students. Therefore, it is necessary to care students who distort themselves as obese.

Factors Influencing Life Satisfaction Among the Senior Welfare Center Elderly / 성인간호학회지

PURPOSE: This study was conducted to evaluate life satisfaction(LS) and to assess the factors that influence LS in senior center elderly people. METHODS: The subjects were 253 elders who visited the Y city Senior Welfare Center between July 2006 and August 2006. Data were collected using structured questionnaires. The instruments were composed of Kang's Family Support Scale, Depression Scale by Sheikh & Yesavage, Laffery's Health Concept Scale, and LS scale by Choi. T-test, ANOVA, Duncan test, Pearson coefficients correlation and stepwise multiple regression were used to analyze the data using the SPSS Win 12.0 program. RESULTS: The LS level showed a maximum score of 38 with a mean score of 23.23. The mean scores for depression, health perception and family support were 5.52(maximum score, 15), 77.46(maximum score, 112), 43.45(maximum score, 55) respectively. The LS were significantly correlated with health perception, depression and family support. Depression was the most powerful predictor of and it accounted for 42.0% of the total variance in LS. A combination of significance of eudaimonistic health perception and satisfaction with pocket money accounted for 47.2% in LS. CONCLUSION: Depression and health perception were identified as affecting variables for the LS. Based upon these results, nurses should help the aged to enhance their LS.

Development of a Scale to Measure Korean Ego-integrity in Older Adults / 간호학회지

PURPOSE: Ego-integrity in older adults is the central concept related to quality of life in later life. Therefore, for effective interventions to enhance the quality of later life, a scale to measure ego-integrity in older adults is necessary. This study was carried out to develop a scale to measure ego-integrity in older adults. METHODS: This study utilized cronbach's alpha in analyzing the reliability of the collected data and expert group, and factor analysis and item analysis to analyze validity. RESULTS: Seventeen items were selected from a total of 21 items. Cronbach's alpha coefficient for internal consistency was .88 for the 17 items of ego-integrity in the older adults scale. Three factors evolved by factor analysis, which explained 50.71% of the total variance. CONCLUSIONS: The scale for measuring ego-integrity in Korean older adults in this study was evaluated as a tool with a high degree of reliability and validity.

Attitudes and Knowledge toward Koryo Hand Therapy(KHT) by the Experienced People / 성인간호학회지

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to identify the current attitudes and knowledge toward Koryo Hand Therapy(KHT) by the experienced people. METHOD: The Subjects for this study included 3,351 people living in Korea who experienced KHT. The data were collected from April 6 to November 25, 2004 using a structured questionnaire. The data were analyzed through the SAS 8.1 Windows Program using frequency, percentage, t-test, ANOVA and Pearson's correlation coefficient. RESULTS: The results of the study are as follows: 1) Families and relatives were a main source of information about Koryo Hand Therapy. The subjects were very satisfied with therapeutic and preventive effects of the therapy. Sujichim was the most preferable choice in the KHT. Most of the subjects thought that KHT could be applied to modern medicine. 2) Those who experienced KHT had a high level of knowledge and very positive attitudes toward KHT. 3) There were statistically significant differences in the attitude toward KHT according to age, gender, educational level, religion, income, place of residence, marital status and experience which studied KHT. 4) There were significant differences in the knowledge of KHT according to age, educational level, income, marital status and experience which studied KHT. 5) The data showed positive correlation between attitude and knowledge. CONCLUSION: According to the above findings, it can be concluded that KHT needs to be actively informed and more easily approached by general peoples. Nursing protocols of KHT needed to be developed.

Sexual Knowledge of the Male High School Students in a Rural Area of Gangwon Province / 기본간호학회지

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to identify the level of sexual knowledge of male high school students. METHOD: The participants were 503 male students from a high school in one county of Gangwon Province. The data were collected from May 1 to May 30, 2004. Collected data were analyzed using SPSS program to investigate the responses to the structured questionnaires used in the study. RESULTS: The level of sexual knowledge of high school students was 10.25(range 0 to 17). In terms of response distribution of sexual knowledge by items, the correct response rate was highest for "wet dream is discharge of semen during sleep", and the wrong response rate was lowest in "gonorrhea occurred most frequency in 15-25 year old adolescents". General characteristics showed significant differences in sexual knowledge depending on grade(grade 3 :10.45, grade 2: 10.40, grade1: 9.88). Depend on the sexual impulse and the solutions to sex problems, there were significant differences in sexual knowledge with respect to sexual characteristics. CONCLUSION: As a whole the sexual knowledge of the male high school students was low, sexual education programs for high school students should focus on sexually transmitted diseases and contraception.

Effects of Smoking Cessation Program for Male University Students: Perceived Nicotine Dependency and Self-efficacy / 성인간호학회지

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of 8 weeks smoking cessation program(SCP) developed by researchers. METHOD: One group pretest-posttest design was used in this study. The subjects were 88 male university students who consented to participate in the 8 weeks SCP. The SCP in this study consisted of a stop-smoking class, e-mail, SMS(short message service), cellular phone, internet cafe, displayed panel, and patch or acupuncture for quitting smoking. Korean version of questionnaire for nicotine dependency by Ahn et al.(2002), the smoking self-efficacy scale translated by Choi(1999) and subjects' opinion about the SCP were measured. The data were analyzed by using frequency, Chi-Square test, paired t-test and repeated measures ANOVA with SPSS WIN 10.1 Program. RESULTS: 1) The rate of quitting smoking was 31.8% after 8 weeks SCP. 2) There was no significant decrease in the nicotine dependency score among smoking subjects after SCP. 3) There was a significant increase in self-efficacy after SCP. The mean score of self -efficacy in the quitting smoking group increased significantly, but did not significantly change in the smoking group. 4) The stop-smoking class was the most helpful among contents of the SCP. Contents of the SCP except for internet cafe were useful for quitting smoking in this study. CONCLUSION: The above results indicated that the 8 weeks SCP would be a helpful intervention to quit smoking for male university students.

Effects of Smoking Cessation Program for Male University Students: Perceived Nicotine Dependency and Self-efficacy / 성인간호학회지

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of 8 weeks smoking cessation program(SCP) developed by researchers. METHOD: One group pretest-posttest design was used in this study. The subjects were 88 male university students who consented to participate in the 8 weeks SCP. The SCP in this study consisted of a stop-smoking class, e-mail, SMS(short message service), cellular phone, internet cafe, displayed panel, and patch or acupuncture for quitting smoking. Korean version of questionnaire for nicotine dependency by Ahn et al.(2002), the smoking self-efficacy scale translated by Choi(1999) and subjects' opinion about the SCP were measured. The data were analyzed by using frequency, Chi-Square test, paired t-test and repeated measures ANOVA with SPSS WIN 10.1 Program. RESULTS: 1) The rate of quitting smoking was 31.8% after 8 weeks SCP. 2) There was no significant decrease in the nicotine dependency score among smoking subjects after SCP. 3) There was a significant increase in self-efficacy after SCP. The mean score of self -efficacy in the quitting smoking group increased significantly, but did not significantly change in the smoking group. 4) The stop-smoking class was the most helpful among contents of the SCP. Contents of the SCP except for internet cafe were useful for quitting smoking in this study. CONCLUSION: The above results indicated that the 8 weeks SCP would be a helpful intervention to quit smoking for male university students.

The Concept Analysis of Ego-integrity in the Elderly / 간호학회지

PURPOSE: Ego-integrity in Erikson's stage theory is used frequently among health team members related to the care of the elderly and has specific meanings within the context of quality of life in later life. However, the concept of ego-integrity in the elderly has not been well articulated in the literature. This study was conducted clarify and conceptualize the phenomena of ego-integrity in the elderly. METHOD: A Hybrid Model of concept development was applied to develop a concept of ego-integrity, which included a field study carried out in Seoul, South Korea using in-depth interviews with old adults who were admitted as a right person for research subject according to attributes of ego-integrity analysed in the theoretical phase. RESULTS: The concept of ego-integrity emerged as a complex phenomenon having meanings in several different dimensions which encompassed several attributes. CONCLUSIONS: Ego-integrity is a concept having needs that should be treated in a specific way and it is possible to enrich the meaning and methods to manage ego-integrity in nursing interventions for promoting quality of life so that its application may have effects that have positive impacts on the elderly's well being.

Factors Influencing Health Promoting Behavior in the Elderly People: Perceived Conception of Health and Family Support / 기본간호학회지

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to describe perceived conception of health, family support and health promoting behavior; as well as to assess factors that influence health promoting behavior. METHOD: Study participants were 165 elderly people over the age of 65, living in C city. The instruments were Laffery's health concept scale, the family support scale by Kang, and the health promoting behavior scale by Walker et al. RESULTS: 1. The scores for level of health concept ranged from 28 to 112, and had a mean score of 75.16. The scores for level of family support ranged from 11 to 55, and had a mean score of 41.55. The scores for health promoting behavior ranged from 40 to 160 with mean score of 98.07. For health promoting behavior the participants revealed that the most frequent practices were in nutrition, and the least frequent, in exercise. 2. Higher levels of health conception and family support were correlated with an improving level of health promoting behavior . 3. The factor most influencing health promoting behavior in elderly people was family support. Family support accounted for 11% of the variance in health promoting behavior. A combination of health conception, education level and dwelling pattern accounted for 23% of the variance in health promoting behavior. CONCLUSION: Perceived health conception and family support were identified as important variables for health promoting behavior in elderly people.

Effects of Telephone Consulting Program on Self-efficacy and Self-care in NIDDM Patients / 성인간호학회지

PURPOSE: This study was intended to examine the effects of a telephone consulting program on self-efficacy and self-care in NIDDM patients. METHOD: Sixty-eight NIDDM patients participated. Thirty-six were assigned to the experimental group and received the telephone consulting program from one to two times per week for 4 weeks. This program was undertaken by base on small booklet relating to diabetic disease summary, diet, drug, exercise, foot management, prevention and treatment of complications, and insulin injection methods. RESULT: 1. Hypothesis 1 that "the experimental group who receives the telephone consulting program will have higher self-efficacy score than the control group who does not have the telephone consulting" was supported (t=5.12, p= .000). 2. Hypothesis 2 that "the experimental group who receives the telephone consulting program will have higher self-care score than the control group who does not have the telephone consulting" was supported(t=5.29, p= .000). CONCLUSION: The telephone consulting program improved self-efficacy and self-care in NIDDM patients. Accordingly, this program can be adopted as an effective nursing intervention in the care of the diabetic patients.

Effects of Motivation-Enhancing Program on Health Behaviors, Cardiovascular Risk factors, and Functional status for Institutionalized Elderly Women / 간호학회지

This study was to compare changes in health behaviors, motivational factors, cardiovascular risk factors, and functional status (SIP) after implementing the 6-month motivation-enhancing program to institutionalized elderly women. METHODS: Sixty-four elderly women participated. Face to face interviews with blood sampling and anthropometric assessment were conducted at the pretest, 10 weeks and 6 months during the program. RESULTS: 1. The program participants showed significantly better health behaviors over 6 months. The mean motivational level was also significantly improved, especially for perceived benefits, perceived barriers, and emotional salience. 2. The mean of cardiovascular risk factors for the participants was 21.8 at the level of low to moderate risk. After completing the program, total risk score was significantly decreased to 18.7 at 10 weeks, and further to 17.7 at 6 months. A significant reduction was also found in HDL and LDL-cholesterol levels, blood pressure, obesity, inactivity, and stress. 3. The functional status (SIP) was 11% at the baseline and significantly changed in positive direction at 10 weeks (M=9.3) and at 6 month (M=6.3). The significant improvement was also found in physical and psychosocial dimensions and sleep/rest dimension. CONCLUSION: The motivation enhancing program was effective to reduce cardiovascular risks and to improve the functional status of institutionalized elderly women by motivating them to perform better health behaviors.

The Correlation Between Ability of Activity in Daily living and Self-care Agency Among Elderly in Chunchon Province / 성인간호학회지

The ratio of the elderly population is rapidly growing due to socio-economic development and better medical services. As the average life-span of the Korean elderly becomes longer, the proportion of the elderly is increasing. Therefore, the elderly need to sustain a high quality of life. However, all these factors, such as sensory loss, decreased endurance, mobility limitation, and a loss of independence, act to diminish the quality of life among the elderly. It is necessary for elders to adapt themselves to aging, to maintain their physical functions and especially, it is important to keep their independence in activity of daily living and self care. Therefore, this study was designed to identify the degree of activity in daily living and exercise of a self-care agency and to investigate the relationship between activity of daily living and self-care agency. Also, this research aimed to contribute to nursing interventions that maintain and promote quality of life of the elderly and to enable themselves to live independently. The subject of this study were 160 elders, over age 65, who were sampled in C city. Data were collected by observation and questionnaires from May,1999 to December, 1999. The measurement tools were Barthel Index(1979), Lawton & Brody(1969) for activity of daily living and Kearney & Fleischer(1979) for self-care agency. Data were analyzed by SAS PC+ package and included descriptive analysis, t-test, ANOVA, Pearson correlation coefficient, and Cronbach's alpha. The conclusions of this study are summarized as follows; 1. The mean of ADL and IADL was 96.09 and 16.38, respectively. The score described activity of daily living among the elders in C province as moderate. Particularly, in the items of IADL, the item of medication was the highest score. 2. The mean for exercise of self-care agency was 76.48, a moderate degree. 3. The degree of ADL and IADL according to demographic characteristics was significantly different statistically in pocket money, the presence of disease, perceived health status and in occupation, pocket money, family type, the presence of disease, and perceived health status, respectively. 4. The dagree of selt-care agency according to demographic characteristics was significantly different statistically in gender, education level, economic status, and pocket money. 5. There was a significant positive correlation between activity in daily living and self-care agency. Based on these results, further research is suggested to discover the variables influencing the activity of daily living and self-care agency to develop nursing strategies for improving self-care and activity of daily living among the elderly.

An Analysis of Nursing Research Related to Quality of Life Reported in Korea from 1987 to 1996 / 성인간호학회지

This study was done to analyze research trends and to suggest future directions for nursing research on the quality of life (QL) in Korea. The purposes of this study were to describe systematically 10 years of QL nursing, and to identify patterns of tools and significant variables on studies of QL. This article reviewed 71 nursing researches on QL between 1987 and 1996, by examining them according to the period of publication, research for a degree or not, research design, type of subjects, data collection methods, measurement instruments and range of reliabilities, type of nursing intervention, and association of QL and related variables. The findings of the analysis can be summarized as follows: 1. The number of studies related to QL increased from 1987 to 1994. But they have decreased since 1995. 48 of them(67.6%) identified surveys and correlational studies. 2. In all the titles of the studies, there were 7 types of concepts, including QL, quality satisfaction, life satisfaction, and well-being. Among them, QL was the most often used. 3. The subjects of 21 studies were healthy people. In 49 studies, patients had various illnesses. The majority of the patients were hemodialysis patients and cancer patients. Questionnaires were used for data collection in 58 studies. 56 studies were done for the thesis of a degree, while those in the remaining studies were not for degrees. 4. The research designs were various, except in the thesis for a doctorate. There were many more experimental studies(57.1%) done in the thesis for a doctorate. 5. The types of intervention were categorized as exercise(6), supportive care(3), reminiscence (2), relaxation(1), music(1), and hospice care(1). 6. As measurement tools, 14 types of tools relating to QL were used. 11 of them were composed of multiple dimensions. Among them, the QL Scale by You-Ja Ro(1988) was the most widely used in the studies. In the following, the Life Satisfaction Index by Jin Yun(1982), the Quality of life Scale of National Conference of Cancer nursing (1983), and the Life Satisfaction Index by Wood, Wylie and Sheafor(1969) were used. The reliabilities of the QL Scale were reported in 63 studies, and the Cronbach's alpha coefficients were over 0.7 in 60 cases. The quality of life scales included five dimensions; such as physical, psychological, social, economical, and spiritual dimensions. 7. There were two categories of factors influencing the quality of life: First, factors that cannot be changed by nursing intervention were; age, educational level, gender, marital status, income, employment status, occupation, number of family members, religion, and illness history. Second, factors that can be changed by nursing intervention were; physical activity, health status, the presence of complications, support, self-esteem, stress, self-efficacy, activities of daily life, physical strength, satifaction with life, and anxiety. Types of nursing intervention used to improve quality of life were; therapies in relaxation, exericse, reminiscence, and family support, social support, and hospice care. On the basis of the above findings, the following recommendations were made: 1. Further studies on the quality of life instruments of analysis are needed to provide an understanding of dimensions of life in detail. 2. A Meta-analysis needs to be conducted to identify intervention effects on the quality of life. 3. A tool development study is needed to measure the quality of life appropriately in different illnesses 4. More replicated analysis studies of QL are needed to prove the effect of variables on the QL.