• Journal of agricultural medicine and community health
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• v.35 no.3
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• pp.314-325
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• 2010

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of pet dog-assisted activities on self-esteem, depression and cognitive function of elderly people Method: The experimental group(pet dog-assisted group) consisted of 22 people over 65 years old out of about 90 elderly people registered with a home for the aged and the control group(non-pet dog assisted group) consisted of 22 people over 65 years old out of about 90 elderly people registered with another home for the aged in Daegu. Both groups had similar general characteristics, state of health, conduct on health and self-esteem, depression and cognitive abilities. Nineteen people who participated in the program at least 10 times out of 12, were chosen for the final analysis from the experimental group. For the control group, 20 people who responded to all three tests, which had been conducted before, 1 week after, and four week after the experiment, were analyzed. Result: Mean(${\pm}SD$) differences between before and 1 week after the experiment for self-esteem, depression, and cognitive function were 5.84(${\pm}3.06$), -3.26(${\pm}1.76$), 1.47(${\pm}1.26$), respectively. Those between before the experiment and 4 weeks after the experiment was 5.68(${\pm}3.64$), -3.94(${\pm}2.32$), 1.63(${\pm}0.96$), respectively. Those for control group between before and after the experiment were -0.40(${\pm}1.27$), 0.00(${\pm}0.92$), 0.15(${\pm}0.93$), respectively. Those for control group between before and 4 weeks after the experiment were -0.45(${\pm}2.24$), 0.25(${\pm}1.68$), 0.15(${\pm}0.93$), respectively. All the differences between experiment and control group in mean differences between before and 1 week after experiment, between before and 4 weeks after experiment were statistically significant(p<0.05). Conclusion: This study suggests that the pet-assisted activities can be useful solution for elderly people who have psychological and emotional problems caused by retrogression of physical, mental and social ability.

• Korean Journal of Psychosomatic Medicine
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• v.10 no.2
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• pp.154-165
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• 2002

Objectives : The purpose of this study was to identify characteristics of depression in cancer patients treated with chemotherapy. Methods : Subjects were 37 cancer inpatients of oncology in Yeungnam university hospital. BDI and ZDS were done and HDS was performed through semistructured interview. Results: 1) There were no significant differences of depression scale score according to sex, education, religion, marital status. 2) The mean scores of BDI, ZDS and HDS in 37 cancer patients were 18.27${\pm}$7.73, 36.51${\pm}$10.82, 15.14${\pm}$6.60, respectively. 3) HDS, ZDS scores were significantly higher in other cancer group receiving high dose chemotherapy. 4) Item score for depressed mood, diurnal variation(p<0.001), dissatisfaction(p<0.01), physical anxiety, decreased libido, sleep disturbance(p<0.05) were significantly higher in other cancer group than others. 5) Eight patients were diagnosed as having major depressive disorder, 11 as adjustment disorder, and 18 patients had no axis I diagnosis. 6) In major depressive disorder group, the score of the depressed mood item in ZDS was high (p<0.05). HDS item score for depressed mood, work difficulty, anxiey(p<0.001), psychomotor retardation(p<0.01) were significantly higher in major depressive disorder group. 7) In patients with adjustment disorder, ZDS item score of constipation(p<0.001), fatigue, anorexia (p<0.01), emptiness, sleep disturbance, dissatisfaction, weight loss(p<0.01) were high. HDS item score of hypochondriasis(p<0.01), agitation(p<0.01), fatigue, decreased libido(p<0.05) were significantly higher in adjustment disorder group. Conclusion : Some psychiatric disorders, such as adjustment disorder and major depressive disorder were common in the cancer patients in chemotherapy. Psychiatric intervention will increase compliance of cancer treatment and improve the quality of life. This study suggests that it would be important to consider the nature of somatic symptoms in diagnosing depression in cancer patients.

• Journal of the Society of Cosmetic Scientists of Korea
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• v.41 no.4
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• pp.333-340
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• 2015

This study is designed to analyze the effect of skincare using cosmetic containing ginseng extract, on improving quality of life (QOL) of healthy women, with blind testing. QOL is a concept that represents how one's disease or health condition can physically, psychologically, and socially influence his or her daily life. The study was conducted to assess the effect of a ginseng cosmetic preparation on quality of life (QOL) using the Skindex-16 score, stratified by blind versus non-blinded option. 45 healthy women aged between 30 and 49 years with no skin disease were recruited for this study. Volunteers were divided into two groups. Group A (n = 22) received anti-aging cream with ginseng extract in the original packaging, which included the brand name and logo. Group B (n = 23) received the same cream in a plain white jar without any package decoration or logo. Both groups used the cream for 8 weeks. For the skin-related QOL assessment, Skindex-16 was used at baseline, forth, and eighth week. All volunteers except two dropouts in Group A completed the dermatology-specific QOL measure, Skindex-16, at baseline, after 4 weeks, and after 8 weeks of treatment with the provided samples. As a result, the mean score of 43 participants at baseline was $22.70{\pm}4.82$. There was a significant difference between the baseline score and the score after 8 weeks in both groups: The scores changed from $23.30{\pm}5.14$ to $20.20{\pm}4.83$ in Group A, from $22.17{\pm}4.58$ to $20.52{\pm}3.60$ in Group B. The "Symptom" subscale of Skindex-16 improved after 4 weeks and the "Emotion" subscale improved after 8 weeks in Group A. The "Function" subscale did not show improvement in either groups. Both groups showed no interaction effect between follow up time and groups in Skindex-16 and subscale. This research opens up the possibility of skincare using ginseng cream having a positive effect on QOL in healthy women. Moreover, one can predict that skincare ritual itself may have greater impact on the improvement of QOL, compared to the product packaging.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.49 no.3
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• pp.153-164
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• 2016

Purpose: The objective of this study was to examine the effect of the body shape discordance, the difference between true body type based on body mass index (BMI) and self-recognized body image, on nutrient intake, weight control attempt, and mental health in Korean adults. Methods: Subjects were persons aged 19~64 years (4,382 men and 6,226 women) who participated in the 2010~2012 Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. Subjects were categorized as RL (Group recognized as lighter than BMI criteria), RA (Group with agreement between BMI criteria and self-recognized body image), and RH (Group recognized as heavier than BMI criteria) according to the difference between actual body type based on BMI and self-recognized body image. Results: Means of BMI in RH groups were lower than or equal to that of RA groups in all groups. No significant differences in total energy intake were observed among the three groups in men, but total energy intake was higher in the RL group than in the RH group in 30~49 year old women. Proportion of carbohydrate was the highest in the RL group among 30~49 year old women. RH groups paid more attention to weight control and had less weight gain than other groups. Higher proportions of depressive symptoms were reported in the RH group in 19~29 year old men, while a higher proportion of depressive symptoms were reported in the RL group in 50~64 year old men. Conclusion: The current findings suggest an association of perceiving body shape with energy intake, weight control attempt, or depressed mood in some age groups. Body image perception can influence eating, weight control attempt, and depressed mood, therefore proper body image perception should be established in Korean adults.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.55 no.3
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• pp.359-375
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• 2022

Purpose: Adult Korean men belonging to the main economically active population are known to have long sedentary hours. This study was undertaken to determine the difference and relevance of sedentary hours on the nutrition, diet, and health status of adult men, and to suggest how to prevent health risk factors. Methods: Subjects (n = 1,068) were classified into 4 groups based on their sedentary hours, ranging from the first quartile (Q1) having the least hours spent sitting, to the fourth quartile (Q4) spending the longest hours. Results: Subjects belonging to Q4 had the lowest average age, the largest waist circumference, and the highest level of education. Among those engaged in economic activities, the ratio of white-collar workers was significantly higher in Q4. Accordingly, the rate of not doing high-intensity or moderate-intensity physical activity while working was also the highest in Q4. A significant difference was obtained in the drinking frequency between groups, but this was found to be associated with the average working hours rather than sedentary hours. The proportion of not doing aerobic exercise was higher with longer sitting hours. The highest diagnosis of diabetes (8.8%) was obtained in the Q4 group. Among the factors related to cardiovascular disease, only low density lipoprotein-cholesterol showed a significant difference, with Q4 being significantly higher than Q1. Considering energy and nutrient intake, vitamin B₁ and calcium intake were the lowest in the group with the longest sitting hours, as well as the least consumption of vitamin C than the recommended estimated average requirement. Conclusion: The results of this study suggest that the health and nutritional status of Korean adult men are affected by sedentary hours. This should be recognized as a health risk factor and guidelines need to be developed for sedentary lifestyle management.

• Journal of the Korea Convergence Society
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• v.8 no.12
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• pp.431-444
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• 2017

The purpose of this study was to examine the difference of cognitive function, depression, and quality of life according to demographic factors and exercise participation among 148 elderly over 60 years old. The cognitive function was measured by the Korean version of mini mental state exam, Digit span test, Trail making test, and the Stroop test. Also the psychological variables were showed depression and quality of life. As a results, first, depending on the degree of demographic characteristics of elderly had significant difference. Second, according to the participation of the exercise, the score was higher than the aged who did not participate in the exercise. Third, there were significant differences according to duration of exercise, period of exercise, frequency of exercise, and exercise time of the aged that who participate in exercise. Lastly, the cognitive function, depression and quality of life of the subjects were found to be correlated. In conclusion, the aged need to regularly participate in various exercise and physical activity programs to improve the quality of life by improving the cognitive function and decreasing depression of the elderly.

• Journal of Internet of Things and Convergence
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• v.6 no.2
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• pp.73-86
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• 2020

This study examines the North Korean defectors' economic and psychological adjustment status in South Korean society focusing on the specificity of North Korean defectors with the social integration perspective. We conducted a questionnaire survey of 225 North Korean defectors in Seoul and Gyeonggi-do and conducted analysis using the SPSS 22.0 program. The results of the study are as follows. First, the economic adaptation of North Korean defectors was evaluated to be generally low. Second, North Korean refugees' psychological and social adjustment status is generally lower than average, especially cultural adaptation stress, friendship, and satisfaction with physical and mental health. Third, the psychological and cultural adaptation strategy and social support of defectors affected the life satisfaction positively and the adaptation stress had significant negative impact on life satisfaction. Therefore, strategies which reducing adaptive stress and enhancing psychological and cultural adaptation strategies are needed to be implemented in South Korean society. Based on results, policy alternatives were discussed.

• Journal of Hospice and Palliative Care
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• v.16 no.2
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• pp.90-97
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• 2013

Purpose: Ten years have passed since the Korean government announced its plan to institutionally support hospice and palliative care in 2002. In line with that, this study aims to suggest future directions for Korea's hospice and palliative care policy. Methods: We conducted a survey on people's perception and acceptance of well-dying. Data were collected from 1,000 participants aged 19~69 years between June 1 and June 11, 2012 via computer-assisted telephone interviews. Results: The most important factor for well-dying was placing no burden of care on others (36.7%) and the second most important factor was staying with their family and loved ones (19.1%). Among nine suggestions of policy support for well-dying, the most popular was the promotion of voluntary care sharing (88.3%), followed by the palliative care training support for healthcare providers (83.7%) and the support for palliative care facilities instead of funeral halls (81.7%). The idea of formulating a five-year national plan for end-of-life care drew strong support (91%). According to the survey, the plan should be implemented by the central government (47.5%), the National Assembly (20.2%) or civic groups (10%). Conclusion: This study demonstrated the public consensus and their consistent direction toward policy support for well-dying. Results of this study may serve as a foundation for the establishment of policy support for people's well-dying and palliative care at the national-level.

• The Journal of Korean society of community based occupational therapy
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• v.7 no.3
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• pp.13-21
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• 2017

Purpose : This article was to study mental health status through aggression and stress of children of multicultural families, marriage immigrant and to use them as baseline data. Method : We used questionnaire and collected them from 135 children of multicultural families who live in 2 city and 4 do. Frequency Analysis was used for Demographic Characteristics, t-test and one-way ANOVA for aggression and stress depending on demographic characteristics, and regression analysis for the factors. Result : The first, the total score of aggression of the children of multicultural families was 3.05 and the most high score was verbal aggression, 3.69. Stress was 3.66. The second, there was a significant difference between aggression depending on demographic characteristics and verbal aggression(p=.031) depending on age and anger(p=.011). There was also a significant difference between total aggression(p=.028) depending on economic level and physical aggression(p=.049), verbal aggression(p=.000), anger(p=.036), hostility(p=.042), and stress(p=.011). The third, we analysed the factors affecting aggression of children of multicultural families. There was a significant difference resulting from stepwise regression analysis(F=57.139, p<.001), the results showed a strong explanation of aggression by bad in economic status(p<.01), stress(p<.01), 10 years in age(p<.01), and 13 years in age(p<.01). Conclusion : Aggression depending on demographic characteristics of the children of multicultural families was caused by age, economic level, and stress.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.42 no.8
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• pp.1335-1343
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• 2013

Parents in South Korea are known for their high level of educational zeal for their children. As a result, their children usually take extra classes in institutions as well as participate in other extracurricular activities such as sports and music. The purpose of this study was to examine the lifestyle and dietary behaviors of Korean elementary students involved in such activities. The total number of subjects was 550 fourth to sixth graders in elementary schools in Sejong, Korea. Of the total subjects, 88.0% were involved in extracurricular classes or other activities for an average of 7.34 hours/week. The subjects were assigned to one of four groups based on the degree of extracurricular activities: No extra-class (n=66), Low extra-class (1${\leq}$taking time<5 hours/week, n=118), Medium extra-class (5${\leq}$taking time<10 hours/week, n=184), and High extra-class (taking time${\geq}$10 hours/week, n=182). More subjects in the High extra-class group went to bed late (P<0.01), were under stress (P<0.01), and skipped breakfast, compared with those in the other groups. The ratio of students who answered 'I go to an institute without a meal' (P<0.01), 'I prepare a meal for myself' (P=0.053), or 'I eat out before going to an institute' (P<0.01) was higher in the High extra-class group than in the Low extra-class group. The frequency of eating fast food was higher in the High extra-class group, compared with the other groups. These results indicate that a high amount of extracurricular studies may have a negative effect on the children's lifestyles and dietary behaviors. Therefore, this study alerts parents to the potential harm of excessive extracurricular activities to their children's health.