• The Korean Journal of Rehabilitation Nursing
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• v.9 no.1
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• pp.25-33
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• 2006

Purpose: This study was to examine the effects of foot reflexology on pain and depression of middle-aged women with Osteoarthritis Method: The subjects were 41 osteoarthritis patients resided in the Jinju city from March to May, 2005. The foot reflexology was applied to the experimental group 3 times a week for 4 weeks, 30 minutes eachs. For the data analysis, $X^2$-test was conducted to verify the homogeneity of general characteristics, and t-test was done to verify the homogeneity of pain and depression. To examine the relative efficacy of the intervention, t-test, paired t-test and repeated measures ANOVA were conducted. Results: After foot reflexology, the subjects in experimental group showed significant improvement in pain (F=155.77, p=.000) and depression ((F=20.00, p=.000). Conclusion: The results suggest that the foot reflexology is effective in relieving of pain and depression. Therefore, it is necessary to develop foot reflexology as an independent nursing intervention.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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• v.17 no.12
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• pp.186-192
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• 2016

The purpose of this study is to examine how Korean dance affects middle-aged women by acting as a cultural mediator. A qualitative approach was taken in order to best achieve the purpose of this study. The data used in this study were collected from Feb 10th to April 1st, 2016, using in-depth interviews. The results are as follows; firstly, on an emotional level, the middle-aged women participating in Korean dance as a cultural mediator, feel a sense of self-achievement and social belonging, as well as experiencing an improvement in their psychological stability by resolving their depression. Those who had lost their sense of autonomy and productivity were able to recover some of their self-esteem through this activity. Secondly, in terms of their activity, the Korean dance enabled the ladies to exercise their poorly used muscles by strengthening their gross and fine motor skills through the movements associated with the Korean traditional music. This allowed them to ease their chronic physical pain and it can be considered that their overall exercise function was increased by expanding their exercise radius. Third, in the cognitive area, it was possible for them to revive their happy memories by listening to the music which was loved by their preceding generations. This is because the melody of familiar Korean music provides them with the chance to remember their former days. Lastly, in the social area, the Korean dance allowed the middle-aged women to accept themselves through music and movement, as well as playing the role of a mediator which enabled them to overcome their isolation and the conflicts they face in their social relations. In addition, they achieved self-realization by reconnecting with the regional community through the Korean dance performances, which they learned as social community members.

• Journal of Hospice and Palliative Care
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• v.16 no.3
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• pp.166-174
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• 2013

Purpose: This study aims to identify factors that influence middle-aged men's attitude towards death. Methods: The study enrolled 204 middle-aged (range=40~59 years) male residents of Daegu in Korea. Using a structured questionnaire, data were collected in October 4~30, 2010. For data analysis, we used descriptive statistics, t-test, one-way ANOVA, Scheff$\grave{e}$'s test, Pearson correlation coefficient, and stepwise multiple regression with SPSS WIN 14.0. Results: Participants' attitude towards death significantly differed according to educational level, religion, volunteer activities, and perceived health status. Moreover, their attitude towards death was negatively correlated with life stress and depression and positively correlated with self-esteem, life satisfaction, and coping behavior. The factors influencing the attitude towards death were life satisfaction, daily stress, religion, and depression, which explained approximately 25.7% of the total variance. Conclusion: Middle-aged men perform a crucial role in our society, and their attitude toward death affects how they cope with a situational crisis such as a terminal cancer or withdrawal of life sustaining treatment. Therefore, it is necessary to develop and implement a support program for middle-aged men, which offers them with various strategies to better manage their daily stress and improve their life satisfaction and coping skills.

• Journal of the Korean Home Economics Association
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• v.40 no.1
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• pp.125-134
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• 2002

The purpose of this study was to investigate relationship between the climacteric symptoms and the dietary patterns. The study was conducted with 285 middle-aged women(150 premenopause and 135 postmenopause) and the informations were obtained by questionnaires. The menophania of the premenopause and of the postmenopause women began to 15.6 and 16.6 years old, respectively. And it seemed that the middle-aged women had neutral attitude about menopause-related altitude. There was a positive correlation between the nutrition knowledge and the food habit, but these knowledge and habits had a little correlation with the climacteric symptoms.

• Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing
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• v.45 no.2
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• pp.221-230
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• 2015

Purpose: This study was done to examine how laughter therapy impacts serotonin levels, QOL and depression in middle-aged women and to perform a path analysis for verification of the effects. Methods: A quasi-experimental study employing a nonequivalent control group and pre-post design was conducted. Participants were 64 middle-aged women (control=14 and experimental=50 in 3 groups according to level of depression). The intervention was conducted five times a week for a period of 2 weeks and the data analysis was conducted using repeated measures ANOVA, ANCOVA and LISREL. Results: Results showed that pre serotonin and QOL in women with severe depression were the lowest. Serotonin in the experimental groups increased after the 10th intervention (p=.006) and the rise was the highest in the group with severe depression (p=.001). Depression in all groups decreased after the 5th intervention (p=.022) and the biggest decline was observed in group with severe depression (p=.007). QOL of the moderate and severe groups increased after the 10th intervention (p=.049), and the increase rate was highest in group with severe depression (p<.006). Path analysis revealed that laughter therapy did not directly affect depression, but its effect was indirectly meditated through serotonin variation (p<.001). Conclusion: Results indicate that serotonin activation through laughter therapy can help middle-aged women by lessening depression and providing important grounds for depression control.

• Journal of Family Resource Management and Policy Review
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• v.20 no.1
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• pp.141-158
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• 2016

The purpose of this study was to analyze the effects of family stress on instances of depression in married, middle-aged women; more specifically, this study examined the moderating effects family strength and support have on depression in middle-aged women. Three hundred women from 40 to 60 years of aged, all of whom resided in Gyeonggi-do, participated in this study. For the final analysis, 249 self-reported questionnaires were used. Descriptive statistics, correlative analysis, and multiple regression analysis were conducted using SPSS ver. 21.0. The major results of this study were as follows. First, the mean scores of family strengths and family support were higher than the median scores. The mean level of depression was lower than the median of depression frequency, while the mean for the family stress scores was the same as the median. Second, depressions frequency was influenced by family type, health status, and average income. There was a positive correlation between depression and family stress. Third, family support had a moderating effect on depression. Family strength did not seem to have the same moderating effect, while there did seem to be a moderating effect of instrumental support from families on the relationship between family stress and depression. In conclusion, to decrease the frequency of depression in married, middle-aged women', it may be necessary to increase family support, and it seems to be especially necessary to increase the amount of instrumental support from families.

• Research in Community and Public Health Nursing
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• v.13 no.2
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• pp.354-362
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• 2002

Objectives: This study was conducted to examine the relationships among perceived life stress, self-esteem, and depression in middle-aged women. Methods: Data were collected from March 30 to May 25, 2000. The study subjects were 123 middle-aged women living in Pusan. The instruments used for this study were the Perceived Life Stress scale developed by Lee (1984), based on the original scale designed by Yu, et al. (1994), Self-esteem scale developed by Rho, et al. (1997), and the Depression scale developed by Ahn (1988). For data analysis, the SPSS PC+ was utilized, by which frequency and percentage, mean and standard deviation, t-test, ANOVA, Sheffe's test and Pearson's correlation coefficients were examined. The reliability of the instruments were tested by Cronbach's $\alpha$, showing the internal consistency of 0.7328 for the self-esteem scale. and 0.8987 for the depression scale. Results: 1) The results showed a relatively low perceived life stress score in the middle-aged women with a mean and standard deviation of 363.18 and 72.92 (range: .00 - 1877.38). 2) The results showed a relatively high self-esteem score in the middle-aged women with a mean and standard deviation of 29.77 and 5.06 (range: 10 - 40). 3) The results showed a relatively high depression score in the middle-aged women with a mean and standard deviation of 39.46 and 9.38 (range: 0 - 61). 4) There were no statistically significant differences in perceived life stress by demographic related factors. 5) There were statistically significant differences in self-esteem by health status (F=8.930, p= .000) and economic status (t=4.792, p= .010). 6) There were statistically significant differences in depression by age (F=3.770, p= .0261). education (F=4.850, p= .003) and regularity of menstrual cycle (F=13.180, p= .000). 7) There was no statistically significant correlation between perceived life stress, and self-esteem in the middle-aged women (r=-.077, p= .399). 8) There was no significant correlation between perceived life stress. and depression in the middle-aged women (r= .010, p= .916). 9) There was a significant negative correlation between self-esteem, and depression in the middle-aged women (r=- .359, p= .000). Conclusion: Higher self-esteem was related to a lower depression status. Therefore, it is necessary to elevate the level of self-esteem in order to reduce the level of depression in middle-aged Korean women.

• Korean Journal of Community Nutrition
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• v.17 no.4
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• pp.450-462
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• 2012

We analyzed data from the combined 2008~2009 Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES) to compare the health factors related to menopausal stages in 45~60 year old Korean women. In this study, we classified the subjects into a premenopausal group (n = 439) and a postmenopausal group (n = 683). In the postmenopausal group, age was higher (p < 0.001), monthly income (p < 0.01) and education levels (p < 0.001) were significantly lower than in the premenopausal group. Body fat % and waist circumferences were also higher in the postmenopausal group than in the premenopausal group. The serum glucose (p < 0.05), total cholesterol (p < 0.001), LDL-cholesterol (p < 0.001), triglyceride (p < 0.001), GOT (p < 0.001), GPT (p < 0.001) in the postmenopausal group were higher than in the premenopausal group. The postmenopausal group showed a significantly lower quality of life compared to the premenopausal group (p < 0.01). With regard to dietary quality, nutrient adequacy ratio (NAR) of vitamin A, vitamin $B_1$, vitamin $B_2$ and niacin in the postmenopausal group were significantly lower than in the premenopausal group. The levels of glucose, total cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol, and triglyceride showed a significantly positive correlation with age, waist circumferences, body fat % and BMI. The 45~60 year old Korean women in this study showed high levels of obesity and serum lipids. Also, intakes of the vitamins and minerals of the women did not meet the level of Dietary reference intakes for Koreans. Therefore, nutritional risk may be high in the women, especially in postmenopausal women. In order to prevent the health risk, women's health care including the quality of the meal should be considered.

• Women's Health Nursing
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• v.3 no.2
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• pp.129-156
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• 1997

The purpose of this study is to investigate the relationship between depression and ego identity of middle-aged women and to identify the variables that show differences in the depression and ego identity of middle-aged women. The subjects in the study were 321 mothers of high school students whose age were 40-59 years old. The instruments for this study were Beck Depression Inventory(BDI) developed Beck(1978) and translated by Lee(1981) and Ego identity Scale developed Suh(1975) and modified by Nam(1975). The reliability values of BDI range from 0.83 to 0.87 and Ego identity range from 0.81 to 0.85 using Cronbach alpha. The data were analysed by using the SAS program and included Frequency, percentage Pearson Correlation MANOVA, t-test, ANOVA. The conclusion obtained from this study were as follows ; 1) There was a negative correlation(r=-0.21, p=0.0002) between depression and ego identity of middle-aged women. Thus the lower depression the higher ego identity for middle-aged women. 2) According to the analysis of interacting effects of depression and ego identity, there were significant differences in the household income(F=0.38, p=0.0035), level of education (F=6.50, p=0.0001), satisfaction of marriage(F=10.45, p=0.0001), family pattern (F=6.18, p=0.0001), menopausal status(F=7.23, p=0.0001), present disease(F=4.85, p=0.0110) and health status(F=9.00, p=0.0001). 3) There were significant differences on the level of education(F=12.98, p=0.0001) household income(F=5.78, p=0.0007), support of spouse(F=8.58, p=0.0002), satisfaction of marriage(F=20.08, p=0.0001), menopausal status(F=11.32, p=0.0001), present disease(t=2.76, p=0.0062) and health status(F=17.23, p=0.0001) of the depression of middle-aged women. 4) There were significant differences on the patterns of household(t=-2.64, p=0.0086), support spouse(F=3.58, p=0.0291), satisfaction of marriage(F=3.90, p=0.0212), menopausal status(F=4.59, p=0.0108) and disease(t=2.11, p=0.0359) of the ego identity of middle-aged women. On the basis of the above findings the following recommendations are made ; 1) According to results of this study, middle-aged women's depression is correlated with ego identity. Thus when the nurse plans the preventive strategy of middle-aged women's depression, the nurse must be considered with level of ego identity. 2) To study for middle-aged women in depth, further research is need to study regard to middle-aged men and their children.

• Journal of agricultural medicine and community health
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• v.33 no.3
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• pp.335-345
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• 2008

= ABSTRACT = Objectives: The purpose of this study were to examine the level of climacteric symptom, coping and depression among middle-aged women and to identify the relationship between climacteric symptom, coping and depression. Methods: A descriptive correlational study was conducted. The participants were 275 middle-aged women visiting obstetrics and gynecology hospital in one metropolitan city. Data were collected using a self-administered questionnaire. Descriptive statistics, ANOVA and Pearson correlation were used for data analysis. Results: The mean climacteric symptom score was .54, the mean depression score was .74 and the mean coping score was .35. The level of climacteric symptom, depression and coping were slightly lower than those of other studies. There were positive relationships between climacteric symptom and depression and between climacteric symptom and coping. Conclusions: To promote physical and emotional health of middle-aged women, more attention is necessary to decrease their climacteric symptom and depression. These results can be used for nursing intervention and care programs for creating better quality of life for middle-aged women.