A Study on the Effects of Supported Independent Housing for the Persons with Mental Disabilities

Background@#This study is a 1-year follow-up study for mentally disabled people who started living independently. The purpose of this study is to confirm the performance of the supported independent housing (SIH) program for severe mental illness and to compare the effectiveness with the collective living family, a group home (GH). @*Methods@#This study included mentally disabled people living in publicly supported SIH (n=24) and living in GH (n=31). The outcome measures were brief psychiatric rating scale, Global Assessment Function (GAF), internalized stigma, hope, self-esteem, life satisfaction, and working alliance. Analyzes were performed using descriptive methods and chi-square analysis, Independent t-test, Mann-Whitney U-test, and Friedman test. @*Results@#In the case of the SIH group, GAF and internalized stigma showed a significant effect after 1 year, and the working alliance showed a tendency to decrease at 6 months and then increase again after 1 year. In comparison between the two groups, only GAF showed a significant difference after 1 year. Hope, self-esteem, and life satisfaction showed a significant effect in the GH group after 1 year, but not in the SIH group. @*Conclusions@#Results show that the SIH and GH housing types achieve different results over the 1-year period. GAF and internalized stigma were significant in SIH, and psychological variables were significant in GH. In GAF, SIH showed a more significant effect than GH. Housing support should take into account the various individual circumstances and preferences of the client, and above all, securing housing stability and expanding accessibility is important.

Effects of a Positive Psychology-based Mental Health Promotion Program for High School Students

Purpose@#The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of a positive psychology-based mental health promotion program for high school students. @*Methods@#This study used a randomized control group pretest-posttest design. A total of 47 high school students participated from two high schools in Gyeonggi Province. They were randomly assigned to an experimental group (n=24), which participated in the 8-session program, or to a control group (n=23). Psychological well-being, depression, and self-esteem were measured. @*Results@#A significant difference in psychological well-being was observed between the two groups after the program. However, there were no significant between-group differences in depression or self-esteem. @*Conclusion@#The positive psychology-based mental program was effective at increasing psychological well-being in adolescents, especially high school students. This study suggests that a school curriculum could incorporate positive psychology-based mental programs for high school students to promote their mental health.

Experience of Depression regarding Psychosocial Factors in Middle-class Korea Workers: Comparison of Life Cycle Analysis / 한국직업건강간호학회지

Purpose@#This study aimed to identify and compare the risk factors of depression among middle-class Korean workers. @*Methods@#A cross sectional study was designed for secondary data analysis. From the 8th Korean Medical Panel Survey (2008~2013), a total of 3,056 data was drawn and analyzed. With SPSS version 24, a developmental stage comparison, with the stage being young adults (20~39), middle-aged adults (40~64), and older adults (65+) were conducted. Frequency, percentage, x 2 test and logistic regression analysis were statistical tools used to analyze the data. @*Results@#In all developmental groups, experience of frustration was found to be a common risk factor of depression. Stress from excessive task, peer-compared subjective health status, and self-perceived social class were risk factors of depression in the young adults and the middle-aged adults. Anxiety for the future significantly influenced depression in the middle-aged adults and older adults. @*Conclusion@#Experience of frustration was a major risk factor of depression among Korean middle-class workers. Interventions to reduce depression need to be developed focusing on the specific risk factors by developmental stages such as experience of frustration, stress from task burden, poor peer-compared subjective health status and anxiety for the future.

A Study on Osteoporosis Knowledge, Health Beliefs and Health Behaviors among Female College Students

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to investigate osteoporosis knowledge, health beliefs, and influencing factors on health behaviors among female college students. METHODS: Using the Osteoporosis Quiz, the Health belief Scale, and the Health Behavior Questionnaire, data were collected from 314 female college students from 4 universities located in Chungcheong providence. RESULTS: The mean scores of knowledge and health belief were 12.7+/-3.81 and 90.9+/-12.66, respectively. There was a statistically significant correlation between osteoporosis knowledge and health belief (p<.001). Also, a statistically significant correlation was found between health belief and health behavior (p<.001). According to the regression model, knowledge, perceived benefit, perceived barrier, family history of osteoporosis, and health interest explained 6.7% of total variance in health behavior. CONCLUSION: Female college students should be taught to be aware of the importance of proper dietary intake and regular exercise as a way to maintain or promote the health of their bones so that they can prevent osteoporosis.

Direction for Development of the Journal of Korean Academy of Adult Nursing through Analysis of Accepted and Rejected Papers (2007~2009) / 성인간호학회지

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to explore the direction for development of the Korean Journal of Adult Nursing toward becoming an international journal through analysing the accepted and rejected papers during the last three years (2007-2009). METHODS: Two hundred and ten accepted papers were analyzed focusing on research methodology and key words using descriptive statistics. In addition, rejected papers were reviewed to analyze their study designs and key words. RESULTS: The proportion of quantitative research was 86.4% while the proportion of qualitative research was 9.5%. The majority of the qualitative research design was survey (71.8%). Sixty percent of the research had verbal consent and 32.7% had written consent from the participants. The prevailing data collection settings were hospitals (52.1%), and community (22.7%). The most frequently used research domain was health. It was noted that theoretical framework was rarely presented. The paper rejection rate was 31.5% and among the rejected paper, 75.3% was survey. CONCLUSION: The results of this analysis suggest that published studies have been improved and diversified compared with the papers published before the year 2007. However, translation research, clinical trials by nurses, and more detailed evaluation process for ethics in research need to be facilitated.

Relationships of Social Networks to Health Status among the Urban Low-income Elderly / 재활간호학회지

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationships of social networks to health status among the urban low income elderly. METHOD: Using a sample of 598 elderly aged 65 years and higher, social networks, health status were measured by the Social Networks Scale (LSNS), Perceived Health Status, GDSSF-K, K-ADL respectively. The t-test, ANOVA and Tukey-test and Pearson's correlation analyses were performed using SPSS 18.0. RESULTS: 41% of subjects didn't contact with relatives at least once a month. 56% of subjects saw or heard less than monthly from relative with whom they have the most contact. 47% didn't have relatives who one can rely on private matters. Social networks among the low income elderly significantly differed by marital status, health insurance type, economic status, regular exercise, living with family. Social networks were significantly correlated with perceived health status (r=.201), cognitive function (r=-.154) and depressive symptoms (r=-.301). CONCLUSION: Poor social networks were found in urban low income elderly. Poorer social networks were related to worse health status and more depressive symptoms. Interventions targeting at increasing social networks are urgently needed for low income elderly.

Relationship among Life Style, Body Composition, and Bone Mineral Density in Community Dwelling Korean Adults / 성인간호학회지

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to analyze the relationship among life style, body composition and Bone Mineral Density (BMD) in community dwelling Korean adults. METHODS: Data were collected from 140 adults who participated in a health check-up program at community health departments in D city, Choong-chung providence. Subjects' life style was assessed with a structured interview survey. Body composition analyses were performed by the bioimpedence method and BMD was measured by peripheral dual energy X-ray absorptionmetry. RESULTS: Among the subjects, 39.3% showed normal BMD values, 50.7% were osteopenic and 10% were assessed as osteoporotic. BMD was significantly different by gender, age, education, economic status and BMI. Subjects who had three or more meals/day had higher BMD then who had less than three meals (t=-2.273, p=.026). BMD was not influenced by regular exercise, alcohol consumption, or smoking. In terms of body composition, there was a significant relationship between fat free mass and BMD (r=.172, p=.043). CONCLUSION: Implementing an osteoporosis prevention program would be warrented considering the significant proportion of osteopenic or osteoporotic subjects. Regular eating habit with three meals for adequate nutrition need to be emphasized to prevent further bone loss in this population. Among the body composition, fat free mass seem to be the mostly predicting factor for BMD.

A Study on Blood Glucose Level and Self Management among Community Dwelling Type II Diabetes Patients / 성인간호학회지

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to examine relationships among blood glucose, HbA1c, and self management comparing these with general and illness characteristics of subjects with Type II Diabetes living in the community. METHODS: Using a comprehensive survey developed for the study, data were collected from 82 type II diabetes patients who were registered at five community health departments. The variables of self management, blood glucose and HbA1c were assessed by nurses. Data were analyzed with descriptive statistics including t-test, ANOVA and Pearson's correlation coefficient to compare self management and level of HbA1c by subject's general and illness characteristics and to examine the relationships among variables. RESULTS: About 73.2% of the subjects' HbA1c were 7.0% or higher and 54.9% of subjects' blood glucose were 200 mg/dL or higher. The level of self management was moderate. Most frequently perceived reasons for failure of blood glucose control were dietary failure (32.9%). There was significant relationship between self management and HbA1c(r=-.223, p=.040). The mean score of self management were higher among female (t=-2.37, p=.021), who are not on diabetes medication (t=6.70, p=.011). CONCLUSION: Comprehensive intervention is needed to improve dietary self management, especially for male and those who is on diabetes medication.

The Effects of Self Foot Reflexology on Depression, Sleep and Low Back Pain in Community Dwelling Elderly Women / 기본간호학회지

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to identify the effects of self foot reflexology on depression, sleep, and low back pain in elderly women. METHOD: The study was one group pre-posttest design. Data collection was done from December 2007 to January 2008 in D city. The participants were 47 women (65 years of age and over). After two weeks of reflexology education, the women did foot reflexology themselves for approximately 40 minutes, five times a week for four weeks. To verify the effects of foot reflexology, the scores for depression, sleep, and LBP were measured at baseline, after 4 weeks of self-treatment. Repeated measure ANOVA with the SPSS WIN 14.0 program were used to analyze the data. RESULTS: There were significant differences in depression, sleep, and LBP between baseline, after 4 weeks of self-treatment. CONCLUSION: These findings suggest that self foot reflexology could be utilized as an effective nursing intervention for improving depression, sleep, and LBP in elderly women.

Violence Episodes and Responses of Emergency Room Nurses / 기본간호학회지

PURPOSE: The purpose of study was to identify violence episodes by patients and/or their guardians and responses from emergency room nurses. METHOD: A convenient sample of 172 emergency nurses was selected from general hospitals with more than 200 beds. A survey design was used and data were collected from October 2 to October 11, 2006. using self-report questionnaires which were developed by the authors. Descriptive statistics, with the SPSS PC program were used to analyze the data. RESULTS: The majority of nurses (97.1%) had experienced violence by patients or their guardians in the previous month. Violence offenders who were drunk comprised 68.6% of total offenders. Causes of violence were delays in examination and treatment (59.9%). The major coping behavior in dealing with violence episodes was ignoring (40.1%). Responses to violence experienced by emergency nurses were rated as 2.39. Response to violence according to general characteristics of the nurses showed no statistically significant differences. CONCLUSION: Considering the high prevalence of violence experienced by emergency nurses, hospitals must develop and manage preventive education programs and policy.

Effects of Aromatherapy on Labor Pain and Perception of Childbirth Experience / 여성건강간호학회지

PURPOSE: The purposes of this study were to verify the effects of aromatherapy on labor pain and perception of the childbirth experience. METHODS: This study was a nonequivalent control group pretest- posttest design. The subjects of this experiment consisted of forty eight primiparas without problems during the gestation period. Twenty four primiparas in the experimental group were given general obstetric nursing care with aromatherapy every two hours. Twenty four primiparas in the control group were given general obstetric nursing care only. Data was collected for labor pain measured by a labor pain expression scale, uterine contraction activity measured by Montevideo units in the latent phase, active phase, and transition phase and the perception of childbirth experience 24hours after birth. Data was analyzed by t-test, and repeated measures of ANOVA with an SPSS program. RESULTS: No significant group effects were found, but significant time effects were found for labor pain, and uterine contraction activity. There was no significant difference in postpartum mothers' perception about childbirth. CONCLUSION: In this study, effects of aromtherapy decreasing labor pain expression, and increasing the perception of childbirth was not found.

Functional Status and Health Care Utilization among Elders with Hip Fracture Surgery from a Fall / 성인간호학회지

PURPOSE: The purposes of this study were to examine 1) functional status at 2 months after hip fracture surgery 2) health care utilization after a fall episode and 3) fear of falling experienced during first 2 months after a fall episode. METHOD: With a convenient sample of 99 elderly from six university or general hospitals with hip fracture from a fall, data were collected at 2-3 days before discharge and at 2 months after hip fracture surgery. RESULT: 1) At 2 months after hip fracture from a fall, significant proportion (25.3%) of elderly was not able to walk indoors. 2) Average length of hospital stay was 27.6 days with a range of 8 to 86 days. About 51% subjects received physical therapy during hospital stay, and only 6.1% subjects received physical therapy following discharge from the hospital. 3) Significant proportion (72.7%) had fear of falling after the fall episode. About 51% reported that they restricted their activities because they had fear of falling. CONCLUSION: Fall is a dreaded event which result in loss of independence and restriction of activity. Development and application of fall prevention program is critical especially for those with risk factors of fall.