• Journal of the Korea Convergence Society
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• v.9 no.4
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• pp.85-91
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• 2018

This is a qualitative research that was carried out to analyze the experience of loneliness of the elderly people living alone using the result of focus group interviews. This study conducted interviews with 28 subjects in the Senior Welfare Center of D city. For the purpose, 28 persons were divided into 5 groups, and interviews were carried out with each group for 50-70 minutes. and the voluntary character of research participation was sufficiently explained. As a result of the research, three topic collections consisting of 'Unavoidable lonesomeness', 'Inevitable death', and 'Acceptance of my life' and seven subjects, which consist of 'Absence of spouse', 'Independence for children', 'Death of neighbor (friend)', 'Fear of death left alone', 'Laying down', 'Taking care of my health', and 'Soothing loneliness in my own way', were derived. The elderly persons living alone who participated in this research expressed their feeling of unavoidable loneliness and their effort to overcome the loneliness. Based on the findings of this research, it is hoped that diverse plans to overcome psychological loneliness of the elderly people living alone will be developed.

• Human Ecology Research
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• v.55 no.3
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• pp.303-319
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• 2017

This study explored the sandplay therapy case of a middle-aged woman having difficulty with interpersonal relationships and wanting to increase her self-identity. The goal of the therapy was to change her relationships with others by self-examination and becoming conscious of her negative animus and femininity in a free and protected space provided by sandplay therapy. Forty-five therapy sessions were held. The client exhibited her lonesomeness and fantasies by making sandtrays of a house she would like to live in, a park she would like to relax at and dreams she would like to fulfill in the initial phase of therapy (1~8, Who am I?). In the intermediate phase of therapy (9~33, Meeting myself), she displayed scenes of her negative self and breaking away from her negative self by making sandtrays of shadows, deaths, creations, a soaring scene and a disappearing alligator. In the final phase of therapy (34~45, Discovery of the real Self), she showed scenes of her meeting a positive self by making sandtrays of hope, coexistence, start, harmony and community. This study showed the effectiveness of sandplay therapy since the client' relationships with others were improved through her self-awareness by sandplay therapy in the free and protected space.

• Korean Journal of Occupational Health Nursing
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• v.19 no.2
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• pp.140-149
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• 2010

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to explore the coping process of chief Executive Nurses(CENs) Who Had Experienced Unexpected Dismissal.The research question was "would you tell me about your experience of sudden dismissal?" Method: The methodology of collecting and analyzing data used in this study followed the ground theory of Strauss and Corbin (1998). Data were collected through in-depth interviews with open-ended questions about the subjects' coping experiences, which were audio-taped and transcribed. The survey was conducted between April and May, 2007. The subjects of this study were 5 CENs. Result: The results of the study are as follows. Core category of This Study was "Battling unsupported against the overwhelming reality." The participants had to face the most unexpected reality of being laid off. Their emotional/psychological response were betrayal, powerlessness, lonesomeness, sorrow, and hopelessness. They felt like a general who is facing overwhelming enemy in a war. The coping process was found to have four stages: shocked stage, resisting stage, negotiating stage and reflecting and transcending stage. Conclusion: The result of this study suggested that ceaseless exertion and cooperation at organizational and individual levels are needed to establish stable status and power of nursing departments and CENs in hospitals.

• Korean Journal of Community Nutrition
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• v.12 no.1
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• pp.25-39
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• 2007

The purpose of this study was to investigate the dietary intakes in middle-aged women(pre and postmenopausal) and relation to climacteric symptoms. We conducted the anthropometric measurements, climacteric symptoms survey, and dietary intake to assess the nutrient intakes. Also, dietary quality indices were evaluated. The subjects, over 40 years old, were 168 middle aged women(pre=74, postmenopausal=94), mean age was $48.9{\pm}3.6yr$. The anthropometric measurements showed that 59% of subjects were overweight and obese. Climacteric symptoms that were answered 'yes' in 50% plus in the subjects, were dry eyes, forgetfulness, difficult concentration, large joint pain(shoulder), fatique, backache, dry skin, joint pain(ankle and knee), dry mouth, dizziness, depression and lonesomeness, snore, morning stiffness, and hot flash. Some symptoms showed significant difference between pre and postmenopausal groups. The average energy intake was 1602.1 Kcal, which was 82% of the Korean EER. The subjects had lower vitamin A, riboflavin, folic acid, Fe, Zn and Ca intake than Korean RI. The lowest nutrient intake was Ca. The mean of food intake was 1294.2 g and MAR of diet quality indices was 0.83. In relation to dietary factors with climacteric symptoms, significant correlations have been found between total protein, animal protein, lipid, cholesterol and niacin intake and 'fatique', energy, carbohydrate, thiamin, vitamin B6, folic acid, vitamin C, Na, K and Fe intake and 'dry skin', Ca intake and 'difficult concentration'. Our results indicate that dietary factors(food and nutrients intake, INQ, NAR, MAR) may effect the prevention and reduction of some climacteric symptoms in middle aged women.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.39 no.2
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• pp.121-132
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• 2006

Minerals are extremely important in human metabolism, growth, and tissue repair. The risks of disturbances in mineral nutrition and metabolism are high following menopause. The aim of the study was to investigate the mineal nutrition status in middle-aged women (Pre & Postmenopausal) and the relation to climacteric symptoms. In the present study, we conducted the anthropometric measurement, climacteric symptoms survey and the dietary intakes including macronutrients, vitamins and minerals to assess the nutrient intakes. Also plasma mineral levels (Ca, P, Mg, Na, K, Fe, Cu, Zn) was measured. The participants were 105 middle-aged women (pre=51, Postmenopausal=54). The anthropometric measurement showed that 74% of subjects was overweight and obesity. The energy intakes were 83% of Korean EER. The macromineral intake (Ca, P, Mg, Na, K), Ca, P and Mg were 65%, > 116% and > 107% of Korean RI. Na and K intakes were > 243% and 53% of Korean AI. For the trace mineral intake (Fe, Cu, Zn), Fe, Cu and Zn intakes were 82%, > 146%, and 94% of Korean RI. The serum mineral concentration measurement, in case of Ca, Fe and Zn, > 10% of subjects showed lower level than normal clinical range. The most frequently appeared climacteric symptoms were dry eye, forgetfulness, difficult concentration, shoulder pain, fatique, depression & lonesomeness, backache, snore, dry skin, ankle & knee pain. In relation to mineral nutrition with climacteric symptoms, significant correlations have been founded between Ca intake and difficult concentration, Mg intake and snore, Fe & Zn intake and forgetfulness & dry skin, serum Ca concentration and forgetfulness, serum Na concentration and dry eyes & snore, serum K concentration and shoulder pain. From these results, it has been indicated that some mineral nutrition status may effect the prevention and reduction of climacteric symptoms in pre and postmenopause women.