• Journal of Environmental Science International
• /
• v.33 no.3
• /
• pp.217-226
• /
• 2024

Manufacturing workers face increased fatigue and stress due to environmental factors in workplace such as noise and vibration. Addressing this issue requires creating conducive rest spaces; however, the existing conditions of rest spaces in manufacturing workplace are subpar and lack sufficient scholarly evidence. This study investigated the effect of nature-based rest spaces on the physical and emotional recovery from fatigue on manufacturing workers. Three manufacturing complexes with nature-friendly rest spaces were selected, and 63 manufacturing workers participated in the study. The measurement tools included the Multidimensional Fatigue Scale (MFS) for fatigue levels, physiological indicators (blood pressure and heart rate), and emotional indicators (Zuckerman Inventory of Personal Reaction Scale; ZIPERS, Perceived Restorativeness Scale; PRS, Profile of Mood States; POMS and State-Trait Anxiety Inventory; STAI). The study compared recovery levels during a 7-minute rest between a space without plants and a space with natural elements. The results indicated a significant reduction in systolic and diastolic blood pressure of participants in green rest spaces compared with those in conventional rest spaces. Regarding fatigue levels, green rest spaces showed a decrease in systolic blood pressure in the middle-fatigue and high-fatigue groups. Positive feelings increased in green spaces, whereas negative emotions decreased, suggesting that short breaks in nature-friendly environments effectively promote workers' physical and emotional recovery. Furthermore, this study emphasizes the importance of green space in various work environments to promote well-being in workers.

• Korean Journal of Psychosomatic Medicine
• /
• v.13 no.2
• /
• pp.95-101
• /
• 2005

Objectives : This study was designed to investigate depression, anxiety, alexithymia, stress res ponses in caregivers of patients with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. Methods : The subjects were 38 attention deficit hyperactivity disorder patients caregivers(38 women, mean age $37.5{\pm}6.5$). Patients were diagnosed with DSM-IV ADHD criteria. Korean version of Beck Depression Inventory(BDI), State and Trait Anxiety Inventory(STAI), Toronto Alexithymia Scale(TAS) and Stress Response Inventory(SRI) were used for assessment. Results 1) The BDI scores of ADHD patients caregiver group were significantly higher than control group$(16.4{\pm}7.1\;vs.\;10.9{\pm}5.5)(p=0.011)$. 7 of the 38 caregivers(18.4%) and none of control group(0%) had BDI scores over 20 points(p=0.021). Calculated relative risk for ADHD in the presence of caregivers' depression was 1.516 overall(95% confidence interval, 1.234-1.862). 2) In ADHD patient's caregiver group, the scores of Stress Response Inventory were significantly higher than control group$(44.2{\pm}20.2\;vs.\;26.5{\pm}16.8)(p=0.006)$. 3) No significant differences were found in the score of STAI, SIAIS, SIAI-T, TAS between caregiver and control group. Conclusion : This study suggest that ADHD patients' caregivers are likely to have more depressive symptoms and higher stress response level than control group. We propose that physicians should consider integrated approaches for caregiver's psychopathology in the management of ADHD.

• Korean Journal of Psychosomatic Medicine
• /
• v.9 no.1
• /
• pp.16-27
• /
• 2001

Objectives : This study was aimed to investigate stress and coping strategy in the families of schizophrenic patient, and changes of knowledge, stress and coping strategy after brief program of family education compared with control group Methods : The education group consisted of twenty four people who were families with schizophrenic patients and attended the brief program of family education. The control group consisted of twenty two people with schizophrenic inpatients. Self-report questionnaires such as Family Coping Questionnaire(FCQ), Patient Rejection Scale(PRS), Worry Questionnaire, Knowledge Questionnaire, Beck Depression Inventory(BDI), and State-Trait Anxiety Inventory(STAI) were administered to the education group and the control group, twice at the pre-test and post-test. Results : 1) In the education group, scores of worry questionnaire, BDI and STAI-S at the post-test were significantly lower than those at the pre-test. Social interests score of FCQ and knowledge questionnaire score at the post-test were significantly higher than those at the pre-test. In FCQ factors, social interests associated with avoidance strategy score at the post-test was significantly higher than that at the pre-test. However, in the control group, there was no significant difference in all questionnaires. 2) In the education group, significant positive correlation existed between calculated differences of worry questionnaire and STAI-S, and between worry questionnaire and STAI-T, whereas significant negative correlation existed between positive communication of FCQ and PRS, and between knowledge questionnaire and STAI-S. In the control group, significant negative correlation existed between information of FCQ and PRS, and between positive communication of FCQ and PRS. 3) In the education group, significant positive correlation existed between calculated differences of worry questionnaire and age of patient, whereas significant negative correlation existed between knowledge questionnaire and duration of illness. However, in the control group, there was no significant correlation. Conclusion : The brief program of family education was effective in increasing knowledge about schizophrenia, decreasing worry and anxiety about the patients in families with schizophrenic patient. In the education group as knowledge about schizophrenia increased, anxiety about schizophrenic patient decreased, but there was no significant correlation in the control group. As relative's rejection feeling about schizophrenic patient decreased, positive communication strategy increased in both groups. However, the control group was more affected by rejection feeling than the education group.

• Korean Journal of Psychosomatic Medicine
• /
• v.5 no.2
• /
• pp.176-184
• /
• 1997

Abnormal illness behavior in patients with somatoform disorders were known formed by their traditional disease concepts and somatization-prone socio-cultural factors. The authors evaluated the characteristics of abnormal illness behavior in patients with somatoform disorders(who had somatization) by using abnormal illness behavior questionnaire. Methods : 29 somatoform disorders(SD) and 57 disease controls were compared by clinical characteristics, severity of pain, state anxiety(by Spielberger's State & Trait Anxiety Inventory), depression(by Beck's Depression Inventory) and level of psychosocial stess(by DSM-III-R). The illness behavior was measured by illness Behavior Questionnaire(IBQ). Results SD group had longer period of somatic symptoms with less severity in pain. The degree of anxiety and depression were higher in SB compared with controls. However, the degree of psychosocial stress was almost same between both groups. In IBQ, SD showed higher scores in general hypochondriasis, disease conviction, and affective disturbance subscales compared to control group. Conclusion: High disease conviction and hypochondriacal nature revealed by IBQ seemed to be a role in making somatization by way of somatic focusing and hypervigilance. And those tended to lead patients visit hospital frequently and report various somatic complaints. Evaluating abnormal illness behavior in somatoform disorders would be not only helpful in understanding the natures of somatoform disorders but also useful differentiating SD with other psychiatric conditions.

• Journal of muscle and joint health
• /
• v.5 no.1
• /
• pp.39-56
• /
• 1998

This study was an quasi-experimental study, done to identify factors Influencing the reduction of symptoms in patients with fibromyalgia. The primary purpose of the study was to develop a Self-Help Program suitable for patients with fibromyalgia in Korea. The secondary purpose was to identify the effects of a Self-Help Program which included stretching exercise. This study was carried out between Feb. 24 and July 8, 1997 and patients in the study Included out patient diagnosed with fibromyalgia based on the criteria developed by the American College of Rheumatology(1990) and H, University which is a tertiary patient care clinic for Rheumatism. The experimental group included 38 patients who were residents of Seoul or Kyungi province, and a control group of 38 patients who were residents of other areas. The control patients were matched to the experimental group patients and they were selected considering the number of tender points on the Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire score and a score of self-efficacy. The experimental group participated in a Self-Help Program based on the American Arthritis Foundation(1995) guidelines. The program participants participated in a small group which consisted of 12-15 members attending the program once a week, for 6 weeks with each program lasted two to two and a half hours. The stretching exercise was carried out in each patient's home every day following the video tape exercise provided by the researcher, and the researcher provided encouragement and concern to the patients by calling them once a week. The number times the exercise was performed was divided by the number of participants to calculate the percentage of performance and determine the amount of exercise. Self-efficacy was measured by the Self-Efficacy Scale developed by Lorig et al. (1989) for arthritis patients. The degree of pain was converted to scores based on the Visual Analog Scale, the number of tender points was converted to scores based on the criteria of the ACR(1990) and of Yunus. Depression was measured by CES-D and physical disability, sleep disturbance, fatigue, and anxiety of patients with fibromyalgia were measured by the Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire. The level of the exercise performance was converted to scores using the number of times the exercise was performed following the video tape prepared by Association of Rheumatology Health Professionals. Data were analyzed by SPSS windows and the results ire described below. 1. The experimental group which participated in the Self-Help Program showed higher efficacy scores than the control group when both groups were analyzed for depression and the number of tender points as common variables(F=9.146, p=.003). 2. The experimental group which participated in the Self-Help Program showed lower scores than the control group, for pain, the number of tender points, depression, physical disability, fatigue, sleep disturbance and anxiety. These symptoms of fibromyalgia can all be seen to have subsided(F=9.483, p=.003 : F=32.680, p=.001 ; F=11.104, p=.001, F=5.344 : p=.024, F=7.630 : P=.007, F=15.6512, p=.003 : F= 7.5412, p=.008). 3. In the experimental group, the self-efficacy score for the first three weeks showed a positive correlation with the exercise-performance score for four to six weeks (r=.387, p=.043). 4. In the experimental group, the relationship between the level of exercise-performance and the reduction of symptoms showed a significant correlation only to physical disability(r= -.500, p=.001). 5. In the experimental group, the relationship between the self-efficacy score and pain, the number of tender points, depression, physical disability, fatigue, sleep disturbance and anxiety score showed inverse correlations and thus, a reduction of symptoms occured when the self-efficacy score increased(r=-.325, p=.004 ; r= -.253, p=.027, r=-.452, p=.001 : r=-.434, p=.001 ; r=-.316, p=.005 ; r=-.460, p=.001 ; r=-.397, p=.014). Therefore, self-efficacy improved following the Self-Help Program including the stretching exercise. It was also found that physical symptoms (pain, number of tender points, level physical disability) and psychological symptoms (depression, fatigue, sleep disturbance, anxiety) were reduced. Moreover, It was found that the higher the self-efficacy, the the higher the degree of achievement of goals set for the stretching exercises. In addition, the level of exercise-performance influenced the level of physical disability, one of the symptoms of fibromyalgia. Accordingly, the conclusions from this study are that exercise-performance and the reduction of symptoms is achieved through promotion of self-efficacy. Therefore, it is proposed that are the Self-Help Program including stretching exercises is an appropriate nursing intervention for the reduction of symptoms of fibromyalgia.

• Korean Journal of Psychosomatic Medicine
• /
• v.10 no.2
• /
• pp.78-91
• /
• 2002

Objective : The purpose of this study was to develop the somatization rating scale (SRS), and then to use the scale in clinical pracitice. Methods: First, a preliminary survey was conducted for 109 healthy adults to obtain 40 response items. Second, a preliminary questionnaire was completed by 215 healthy subjects. Third, a comparison was made regarding somatization responses among 242 patients (71 with anxiety disorder. 73 with depressive disorder, 47 with somatoform disorder, and 51 with psychosomatic disorder) and 215 healthy subjects. Results : Factor analysis yielded 5 subscales : cardiorespiratory and nervous responses, somatic sensitivity, gastrointestinal responses, general somatic responses, genitourinary, eye and muscular responses. Reliability was computed by administering the SRS to 62 healthy subjects during a 2-week interval. Test-retest reliability for 5 subscales and the total score was significantly high, ranging between .86-.94. Internal consistency was computed, and Cronbach's ${\alpha}$ for 5 subscales ranged between .72-.92, and .95 for the total score. Convergent validity was computed by correlating the 5 subscales and the total score with the total score of the global assessment of recent stress (GARS) scale, the perceived stress questionnaire (PSQ), and the symptom checklist-90-revised (SCL-90-R). The correlations were all at significant levels. Discriminant validity was computed by comparing the total score and the 5 subscale scores of the patient and control groups. Significant differences were found for 5 subscales and the total score. Only the depressive disorder group was siginificantly higher than control group in all the subscale scores and total scores of SRS among 4 patient groups. In somatic sensitivity, only depressive disorder patients were significantly higher than the normal controls, whereas in general somatic subscale, depressive disorder and somatoform disorder groups were significantly higher than the normal controls. In total scores of the SRS, female subjects were significantly higher than males. Conclusion : These results indicate that the SRS is highly reliable and valid, and that it can be utilized as an effective measure for research in stress- and somatization-related fields. The depressive disorder and somatoform disorder groups showed more widespread somatization than the anxiety and psychosomatic disorder groups.

• Sleep Medicine and Psychophysiology
• /
• v.24 no.1
• /
• pp.46-54
• /
• 2017

Objectives: Domestic violence is related to many psychiatric diseases, such as depression, anxiety disorder, and PTSD. Heart rate variability (HRV) is an index of autonomic control of the heart and is related to cardiovascular and emotional disorders. Although there have been some studies on the effects of domestic violence on women's mental health, relatively little information is available on HRV in this population. The aim of this study is to investigate demographic data, psychological features, and HRV in female victims of domestic violence and difference between Korean and foreign female victims. Methods: A total of 210 female victims of domestic violence (166 Korean women and 44 foreign women) were recruited for this study. Psychological symptoms were measured using the Hamilton Rating Scale for Anxiety (HAM-A), Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression (HAM-D), and Impact of Event Scale-Revised (IES-R). HRV measures were assessed by time-domain and frequency-domain analyses. Results: The mean score of HAM-A was 13.81, that of HAM-D was 12.92, and that of IES-R was 33.61 ; there were no significant differences between Korean and foreign women in these measures. In HRV time domain analyses, approximate entropy (ApEn) was significantly increased in foreign women compared to the Korean women. The square root of the mean of the sum of the squares of differences between adjacent NN intervals (RMSSD) was significantly decreased in foreign women compared to Korean women. There were no significant differences in the other HRV variables between Korean and foreign women. Conclusion: Female victims of domestic violence in Korea are associated with depression, anxiety, and PTSD symptoms. The physiologic factors of a female victim's nationality could be related to higher ApEn and lower RMSSD in foreign female victims. These findings have important implications for future study to study the relationships among ethnic and environmental factors and HRV variables.

• Sleep Medicine and Psychophysiology
• /
• v.12 no.1
• /
• pp.50-57
• /
• 2005

Objectives: This study was designed to evaluate the differences in clinical characteristics and severity of symptoms between panic patients with and without comorbid major depressive disorder, and to ascertain the differences in the function of the autonomic nerve system measured by heart rate variability (HRV). Methods: The subjects were 60 patients who have panic disorder without major depressive disorder and 19 patients who met DSMIV criteria for both panic disorder and major depressive disorder. First, they drew up symptom checklists and self-rating scales, and were measured by Anxiety Disorder Inventory Schedule-Panic Attack & Agoraphobia (ADIS-P&A), Clinical Global Impression (CGI), Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression (HAM-D), Panic Disorder Severity Scale (PDSS) and Heart Rate Variability (HRV). For statistical analysis, we performed t-test to compare the scores of self reported scales and clinician’s rating scales in panic patients with comorbid major depressive disorder and those without major depressive disorder. ANCOVA was used to compare the variables of HRV, considering age as a covariate. Results: The subjective severities of depression and anxiety that comorbid patients complained of were higher than those of patients with only panic disorder. Futhermore, comorbid patients were more sensitive to anxiety and physical sensations, and they tend to be more negative in their thinking. The scores of clinician-rating scales such as CGI and PDSS were also higher in the comorbid patients. However, there were no significant differences in HRV variables between both groups, despite a tendency to low heart rate variability in the comorbid group. Conclusion: This study suggests that patients with panic disorder and comorbid major depressive disorder tend to complain of more symptoms and to be more sensitive to various symptoms than those with panic disorder without comorbid depression. However, in this study comorbid major depressive disorder did not have a significant impact on the HRV variables of patients with panic disorder.

• Korean Journal of Psychosomatic Medicine
• /
• v.17 no.1
• /
• pp.30-36
• /
• 2009

Objectives : Thyroid function is associated with psychiatric disturbance such as mood symptoms, cognitive functions, anxiety and sleep problem. We evaluate the effects of thyroid dysfunction on negative symptoms of schizophrenia, mood symptoms and somatic symptoms in patients with schizophrenia. Methods : Sixty five patients with schizophrenia were recruited. The patients were classified into two groups; the patients with the history of abnormal thyroid indices level(group of abnormal thyroid function) and the patients without the history of normal thyroid indices level(group of normal thyroid function). At baseline and 8 weeks later, psychiatric symptoms were assessed with the Scale for the Assessment of Negative Symptoms (SANS), the Scale for the Assessment of Positive Symptoms(SAPS), and Beck Depression Inventory(BDI), Somatosensory Amplication Scale(SSAS). Results : During 8 weeks, there were significant differences in the changes of SANS, BDI, SSAS between group of abnormal thyroid function and group of normal thyroid function. Compared to group of normal thyroid function, group of abnormal thyroid function showed greater reduction of the scores of SANS(23.3%), BDI (19.6%), and SSAS(16.2%), respectively. However, there was no significant correlation between the scores of SANS, BDI, and SSAS. Conclusion : Our study suggested that abnormal thyroid indices would predict the prognosis of negative symptoms, mood symptoms, and somatic symtpoms in patients with schizophrenia.

• Korean Journal of Culture and Social Issue
• /
• v.29 no.1
• /
• pp.1-23
• /
• 2023

The purpose of this study was to validate the Suicidal Ideation Attributes Scale(SIDAS) which can measure the severity of suicidal ideation in a sample of 399 Korean adults. For this purpose, an online survey was conducted for two weeks from July 2020 to August 2020. First, there were differences in SIDAS scores among groups divided by gender, residence status, depression and anxiety symptoms, suicidal ideation, suicidal plan, suicidal preparation, and suicidal attempt. Second, correlations between SIDAS, C-SSRS suicidal ideation intensity question(3 items), and the Rosenberg Self-efficacy (RSE) were examined to confirm the validity of SIDAS. As a result, correlations between the SIDAS and suicidal ideation intesity items of C-SSRS were significant in all items, while correlations between the SIDAS and RSE items were negative or insignificant. Third, as a result of the confirmatory factor analysis of SIDAS on all respondents and respondents with suicidal ideation, a single factor structure was appropriate for both groups. Internal consistency of SIDAS was also good. Lastly, as a result of identifying the variables affecting the suicidal plan over the past year, controllability and age were identified as significant predictive variables. SIDAS which was designed to be administered through web, can be appropriately used in Korea. It was confirmed that SIDAS is a reliable and valid suicidal ideation scale which is applicable to adults in Korea.