• Child Studies in Asia-Pacific Contexts
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• v.3 no.2
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• pp.159-173
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• 2013

We examined the associations between Latino cultural variables and four sexual behaviors among female adolescents of Mexican origin. Participants ages 14 to 19 (N = 153; 70% born in the U.S) completed surveys about four sexual behaviors (making out, receiving and performing oral sex, and vaginal sex) and cultural variables (nativity, language use, familism, and importance of female virginity). Findings indicated that participants who were born in the U.S. were less likely to have engaged in making out and vaginal sex than participants born in Mexico. Participants reporting stronger familism were less likely to have engaged in making out and oral sex than participants reporting less familism. For all behaviors, placing a greater value on female virginity was associated with lesser odds of engaging in that behavior. This study expands our understanding of the role of nativity and Latino values in the sexual behaviors of Mexican-origin female adolescents.

• English Language & Literature Teaching
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• v.15 no.2
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• pp.225-243
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• 2009

This study investigates the use of different speech act of apology strategies between male and female EFL college students by comparing the components of intensity, stylistic competence, and semantic formulas. The data was collected from 37 participants who were studying freshmen English reading course at the Department of English Education of C University in Seoul. Most students were English majors taking pre-teacher course of teaching English for secondary school students. The participants were divided into two gender groups of male and female. The discourse completion test (DCT) which was revised from the speech act of apology by Olshtain and Cohen (1990) was provided with the participants after the researcher explained the speech act of apology in ten situations. The speech act of apology depends on situation variables: social solidarity, severity of offense, and social status. The results show that in the preference of intensity, male and female have almost the similar ratio in high (female: 24.7%, male 24%) and low intensity (female: 75.3%, male: 76%). In the use of stylistic competence, male group (21%) expresses more diversely formal features than female group (12%), while female (87%) use more informal features than male (66%). Most of participants show a limitation in the use of speaking four types of semantic formulas: expression of apology (APOL), acknowledgment of responsibility (RESP), offer of repair (REPR), and promise of forbearance (FORB). As nonnative speakers, the participants cannot conduct the semantic formula in some situations regardless of the tasks provided. The results suggest that English teachers should recognize pragmatic variations in which students feel difficulty in appropriate speaking strategies on apology. This study also contributes to teaching learners the strategies and speaking patterns in the course of various apology situations.

• Journal of Gifted/Talented Education
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• v.7 no.1
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• pp.31-50
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• 1997

'I'his study investigated students' attitude toward mathematics. and how behavior/cognitive training affects level of math anxietv and level of math achievement. Subjects were all the freshmen attending Taejon Science High School, and they were given Mathematics Attitudes Scale and Attributional Style Questionnaire prior to and post training sessions. Twenty out of 84 freshmen voluntarily participated in nine sessions of training program. Participants were asked to do self-evaluation. Math achievement was measured prior to and post training. and was compared between two groups. Training program utilized behavior/cognitive approach. such as understanding one's feeling through muscle relaxation, breathing and meditation; modifying negative attributional style; imitating effective cognitive strategies for math problem solving, and so on. 'I'he result shows that students' math confidence in general was relatively low out of expectation, a nd they perceived teachers not supporting their math abilities :IS much as expected. On the other hand, students in general had strong math achievelment needs, and considered math utility very high. Sex difference was seen in the attitude toward female math abilities, to result that female students had more positive perception than male students. Female students of 'I'aejon Science High School seem free from conventional idea about female abilities including theirs. Participants' ~attitude change was compared with non-participants. and participants showed statistically significant change in their math confidence, and also in their math achievement. Participants had much higher math confidence and ~achievement than non-participants. And, they showed increased level of perceiving teachers' expectation. more realistic in needs, and more involvement in math. Math achievement was found positively related to math confidence, and participants' math achievement change was explained by their belief in math utility. Not only training program effect hut also participants' voluntary involvement and teacher\ulcorner' support of the program and participation seem to increase their math achievement. Based upon the result of study it was suggested that behavior-/cognitive training program be provided along with academic curricula for gifted students of Korea to help their emotional and psychological development enhance the efficacy of their cognitive learning.

• Journal of Family Resource Management and Policy Review
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• v.16 no.1
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• pp.149-175
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• 2012

The purpose of this study is to find out marital conflicts and coping strategies among married female immigrants and Korean men in multicultural families. The data were collected by in.depth interviews with 12 female immigrants and 5 Korean men. The major findings of this study are as follows: Female participants suffered from marital conflicts with their spouses, conflicts with mothers.in.law, stereotyped gender roles as a wife and a daughter.in.law, economic conflicts, and cultural differences between Korea and their country. In addition, male participants reported conflicts from economic support for their wife's family, gender role differences, and cultural differences. Coping strategies used to deal with the conflicts, such as mutual dedication and understanding their spouse's stance, and developing a compromise for the family's happiness were mentioned. A personal positive nature and attitude helped them to meet the marital conflicts. Supports from their husband, parents.in.law, and society also helped female immigrants to adapt to cultural differences. However, some of them used negative coping strategies which did not reduce conflicts, and resulted in separation and divorce. The coping strategies to deal with the conflicts depended on the participants' personal ability. While female participants who had English language skills took advantage to adapt to Korean society, those who did not have any other natural abilities could develop a definite position in their family and society with their diligence and positive attitude. The results showed that female participants who were supported by their family and society tended to cope successfully with conflicts and also showed that multicultural families' marital adjustment was maintained with their efforts as well as by relationships with their relatives and society.

• Microbiology and Biotechnology Letters
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• v.50 no.2
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• pp.270-276
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• 2022

This study analyzed the epidemiological trends of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) according to age and sex among individuals aged 50 years or older in South Korea from September 2018 to December 2020. We found that the positivity rate for Gardnerella vaginalis was the highest in the study group, followed by the positivity rate for Ureaplasma parvum (UP). Interestingly, the positivity rates for Mycoplasma hominis and UP were higher in female participants than in male participants. The positivity rate for Treponema pallidum was very low in the female participants. During the study period, the positivity rate for herpes simplex virus 2 increased in the female participants, while the positivity rate for Candida increased in the male participants. These results show that the STI positivity rate varies according to age and sex, and a difference was observed in the average age of positive participants according to the type of STIs. We found a clear pattern of infection in the elderly population and according to sex. Our findings are expected to be used as baseline data for future research, education, and prevention of STIs in the elderly population.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.54 no.5
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• pp.317-329
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• 2021

Objectives: The aim of this study was to identify the association between cohabitation status and sleep quality in family members of people with dementia (PwDs). Methods: Data of 190 365 participants aged ≥19 years from the 2018 Korea Community Health Survey were analyzed. Participants were categorized according to their cohabitation status with PwDs. Multiple logistic regression and ordinal logistic regression analyses were performed to evaluate the relationship between the cohabitation status of PwDs' relatives and sleep quality measured using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) and PSQI subscales. Results: Compared to participants without PwDs in their families, both cohabitation and non-cohabitation with PwDs were associated with poor sleep quality (cohabitation, male: odds ratio [OR],1.28; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.08 to 1.52; female: OR, 1.40; 95% CI, 1.20 to 1.64; non-cohabitation, male: OR, 1.14; 95% CI, 1.05 to 1.24; female: OR, 1.23; 95% CI, 1.14 to 1.33). In a subgroup analysis, non-cohabiting family members showed the highest odds of experiencing poor sleep quality when the PwD lived alone (male: OR, 1.48; 95% CI, 1.14 to 1.91; female: OR, 1.58; 95% CI, 1.24 to 2.01). Cohabiting male and female participants had higher odds of poor subjective sleep quality and use of sleeping medications than non-cohabiting male and female participants, respectively. Conclusions: The residence of PwDs and cohabitation status may contribute to poor sleep quality among PwDs' family members. The circumstances faced by cohabiting and non-cohabiting family members should be considered when evaluating sleep quality in family members of PwDs, and appropriate interventions may be needed to improve sleep quality in both cohabiting and non-cohabiting family members.

• Journal of East-West Nursing Research
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• v.14 no.2
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• pp.54-59
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• 2008

Purpose: To investigate self-esteem according to differences between real and ideal Body Mass Index (BMI) in female college students. Methods: Subjects were 587 female students in Korea. Data was collected by using a developed questionnaire through pretesting. Results: Actual number (46.7%) and actual number (5.1%) of participants were defined as being underweight and overweight, respectively. Nearly all participants expression high dissatisfaction with their body shape. Averages of 1.02, 2.97, 7.81 were revealed for underweight, normal weight and overweight group differences between real and ideal BMI. Those who were defined as overweight exhibited significantly self-esteem than those who were defined as underweight. Conclusions: The belief that body shape is heavier than actually the case may be prevalent among female college students in Korea. This difference between the real and ideal BMI negatively influences self-esteem. Programs aimed at improving body image awareness an self-esteem among female college students are needed.

• Child Health Nursing Research
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• v.26 no.3
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• pp.329-337
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• 2020

Purpose: This study investigated intentions and attitudes towards future parenthood and awareness of fertility among university students in South Korea. Methods: The participants comprised 166 female and male undergraduate students enrolled at five universities. A cross-sectional survey was conducted from May to July 2019 using the Korean version of the Fertility Awareness Questionnaire and Attitudes of Parenthood. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics based on participants' general characteristics, the χ² test to identify differences in intentions, and the t-test to evaluate attitudes towards parenthood and awareness of fertility in female and male students. Results: Both female and male students desired to have two children, but they lacked awareness about fertility. The possibility of combining work and having children, along with the availability of childcare resources, impacted the desire for parenthood. Male students tended to consider parenthood as less impactful on their lives and careers than female students. Social structures might also impact the decision to have children. Conclusion: It is important to provide health education emphasizing fertility awareness and parenthood in young adulthood so participants can consider these facts in advance. In addition, the government should provide resources for couples making parenthood decisions.

• Journal of Families and Better Life
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• v.27 no.1
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• pp.89-105
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• 2009

A family resilience approach aims to identify and fortify key interactional processes that enable families to withstand and rebound from disruptive life challenges. Walsh(1998) described family belief systems, organizational patterns, and communication processes as the three main keys of family resilience. The purpose of this study was to identify the three key factors of family resilience in case of divorced female single-parent families in Korea. The study participants were seven divorced mothers who were living in the institutional facility for female single-parent families. Using a qualitative approach, in-depth interviews were audiotaped and transcribed verbatim for analysis. The study findings were as follows. First, the participants showed positive thinking rather than fear about the adversity induced by the divorce. They also showed the senses of competence, control, and self-esteem. However, the senses of transcendence and spirituality were barely evident. Second, emotional and economic supports from parents, brothers and sisters, and community networks (i.e., mother-child protection institution, healthy family support center) enhanced the family resilience of the participants. Third, the participants showed clear communication, open emotional expression, and shared decision making. This study suggests that more counseling services and parent education be provided by healthy family support center and institutional facilities as important family resilience factors for divorced female single-parent families who are below the poverty line.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.64 no.2
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• pp.86-92
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• 2021

Background: Anemia is an important health problem affecting approximately 25% of the global population. Although its prevalence is decreasing worldwide, few studies have examined the prevalence of anemia in Korean adolescents. Purpose: This study aimed to determine the prevalence of anemia in Korean adolescents over the past 21 years using data from the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. Methods: We investigated the prevalence of anemia in adolescents aged 10-18 years for the period 1998-2018 according to sex, age, residential area, and household income. The effects of menarche age and menstruation were examined in female adolescents for the period 2001-2018. Results: Among the total 11,782 participants, the weighted prevalence of anemia was 4.0%. The prevalence of anemia in male participants significantly decreased (from 3.0% to 0.5%, P<0.001), whereas that in female participants did not change significantly over time (from 7.9% to 8.5%, P=0.054). The average age at menarche was 12.4±0.0 years; the prevalence of anemia in females increased from age 13 years onward. Multivariate analysis revealed that anemia was more common in female than male participants (odds ratio [OR], 9.88; 95% confidence interval [CI], 7.19-13.57; P<0.001). In female adolescents, the prevalence of anemia increased with age (OR, 1.26; 95% CI, 1.15-1.38, P<0.001) and was 3.6 times higher after than before menarche (OR, 3.65; 95% CI, 2.21-6.05, P<0.001). Conclusion: Over the 21-year study period, the prevalence of anemia decreased among male adolescents but did not change in female adolescents. In female adolescents, age and menarche were identified as significant risk factors that require continued attention.