• Journal of Korean Public Health Nursing
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• v.16 no.1
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• pp.30-44
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• 2002

The purpose of this study were to identify seasons variation of house dust mites allergen and perceived allergic symptom. The subjects were consisted of 29 family with allergy patients and 34 family without allergy patients. Perceived allergic symptoms were accessed and house dust was sampled from beds, floor of bedroom, kitchen and livingroom in spring(August), summer (July), fall(October) and winter(January) and tested using two-site ELISA. The results were as follows; 1) In all family, amount of house dust mites allergen(Der fI) of livingroom floor was the highest in summer$(4.73{\mu}g/1g\;of\;dust)$, and then fall$4.67{\mu}g/1g\;of\;dust)$, winter$(3.94{\mu}g/1g\;of\;dust)$, spring$(1.73{\mu}g/1g\;of\;dust)$. 2) In family with allergy patients, amount of house dust mites allergen(Der fI) of bedroom floor was highest in fall $(9.75{\mu}g/1g\;of\;dust)$. 3) In family with allergy patients, amount of house dust mites allergen(Der fI) of mattress was highest in fall$(8.23{\mu}g/1g\;of\;dust)$. 4) Perceived allergic symptom scores of family with allergy patients were higher than family without allergy patients in all seasons. In family without allergy patients, perceived allergic symptom scores was the highest in spring(4.29) and perceived allergic symptom scores of family with patients was the highest in winter(2.49). 5) The relationship of house dust mites allergen and perceived allergic symptom scores were positively related (r=.941, p=.000). Perceived allergic symptoms were correlated with amount of house dust mites allergen, That is, perceived allergic symptoms were became worse by house dust mites allergen. So House dust mites allergen reducing strategies and intervention should be recommended in further study.

• Korean Journal of Culture and Social Issue
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• v.11 no.2
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• pp.143-181
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• 2005

This article examines factors that influence health and quality of life. In addition to the symptomatology and physiological functioning, the influence of the psychological functioning and interpersonal relationship on the overall health and quality of life are also investigated. Using a case-study approach, a total of 70 patients suffering from allergy or asthma were interviewed using a semi-structured questionnaire developed by the present authors. It assessed the following six areas: Cause and onset of illness, psychological functioning, health management, trust, social support received and overall health and quality of life. Based on the transactional model (Bandura, 1997; Kim & Park, 2005), the results of the case studies have been integrated and divided into three aspects: (1) Cause and onset of illness that includes physiological and environment factors; (2) mediating influences that includes psychological functioning, health management, interpersonal relationship and social support received; and (3) outcome factor that includes symptomatology, health and quality of life. The psychological functioning includes self-efficacy (self-regulated efficacy, efficacy for enlisting social support, efficacy for managing the environment, and efficacy for overcoming difficulties), positive outlook, life goals, experience of stress, and proxy control. Interpersonal relationship includes trust of family members and the physician. Health management includes receiving proper health assessment, following the advice and prescription given by the physicians, control of the environment and maintaining a healthy lifestyle. The results indicate that physiological, psychological, relational and environment factors interact with each other and affect individual's overall health and quality of life. Self-efficacy, social support received from family members, trust of physicians, and the health care system are key factors promoting healthy lifestyle and quality of life. The results indicate the need for further interdisciplinary, indigenous and cultural psychological research.