• Journal of the Korean Home Economics Association
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• v.41 no.3
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• pp.1-15
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• 2003

This study was conducted to analyze the actual wearing conditions and body fit preferences of the middle-aged women's ready-to-wear lower body clothing. The aim was also to analyze lower body recognition, lower body satisfaction, fit preferences and size satisfaction according to age and degree of girth size. A questionnaire was developed and administered to 300 middle-aged women aged 34 to 59. Statistical tests such as descriptive analysis, crosstabs, and X²-tests were conducted to analyze the data and ascertain the differences between the ages. Lower body satisfaction and recognition were compared by T-test. Also, Anova was used to analyze lower body recognition, satisfaction, fit preferences, and size satisfaction according to age and degrees of girth size. The results indicated that women aged 50 to 59 were more dissatisfied with the ready-to-wear sizing system and because of their body shapes had changed, their need for a larger size range system had also increased. Moreover, the element that most affected their purchase of ready-to-wear lower body clothing was the design followed by the size. The women, especially of the ages 50 to 59, showed a tendency to he dissatisfied with their lower bodies and they recognized that their lower bodies had thickened compared to women aged 34 to 39 and 40 to 49. Analysis of body satisfaction, recognition, and fit preference according to girth size showed that the group of larger girth size recognized that their lower bodies were thicker and were more dissatisfied and preferred looser fittings than the groups of smaller women.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Costume
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• v.52 no.2
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• pp.59-70
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• 2002

For the purpose of providing basic data for the development of size specifications for middle-aged women in Busan, one dimensional measurements were made with the subjects. ranging 45 to 59 in age. The following are the conclusions : 1) According to ages, the middle and elder groups of the middle-aged women shared similar body types, having shorter height, more lowered bust. and increased upper-body depth and girth factors, compared with the earlier middle-aged women group. But the thigh girth of the elder middle-aged group (age: 55∼59) was the lowest, maybe owing to the aged lower-body muscles. 2) In the comparison with national averages. armhole girth, elbow girth, wrist girth. back waist length, side neck point-B.P.-waist line, and sleeve length showed great differences. This is problematic in that the national size standards fail to reflect each legion\`s peculiar body type characteristics. 3) Even though body types were classified according to drop value criteria suggested by KS specifications, 23.05% did not belong to the criteria. They were thus classified as A, N, and H body types, following the distribution of the present experiment. 4) In consideration of the economy factor of the production and sales of the clothes industry, the combinations of height and chest garth for the middle-aged Busan women were as follows: 155cm-85cm (Body Type A) 150cm-88cm (Body Type N), and 155cm-94cm (Body Type H).

• Journal of the Korea Fashion and Costume Design Association
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• v.13 no.4
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• pp.79-91
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• 2011

This study divided school age by considering a change in the stage of body growth by age in elementary schoolgirls with the use of body scan data, and considered by comparing body size characteristics by school age. Elementary schoolgirls' body shape cannot be divided clearly. However, ages 7-10 were bound into the same group for the majority of girth, width, and thickness items. 7-8 years old, 9-10 years old, and 11-12 years old were bound into the same group in most items except ages 9 and 10 for the height item. Thus, significant difference was indicated between groups. Accordingly, this study divided the school age into three periods such as early stage(ages 7-8), middle stage(ages 9-10), and late stage(ages 11-12) in consideration of the stages for elementary schoolgirls' body-shape growth. As a result of analyzing body size according to division of school age, the higher school age leads to continuous growth. The notable growth was indicated especially in the middle stage and late stage. Examining centering on typical items related to the clothing construction, there was notable increase in waist thickness and hip thickness between early and middle stages and in height, weight, breast girth, waist circumference, back length, breast width, and waist width between middle and late stages. On the other hand, hip circumference, hip width, breast thickness, and length between shoulder edges were indicated to grow relatively and evenly among early, middle, and late stages. The lateral form was shown a clear difference in the forms of early, middle, and late stages in height and length of the whole body shape and in side thickness. The early and middle stages belong to body shape that abdomen is projected to be curved. The late stage showed right body shape which is straight and stable form in posture.

• Fashion & Textile Research Journal
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• v.2 no.4
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• pp.353-359
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• 2000

The purpose of this study was to develop the jacket pattern drafting method for Korean middle-aged women. The study was composed as follows : 1. Body measurement and statistical analysis : Two hundreds and forty four middle-aged women between the ages of forty five and fifty nine were measured on 52 items. 2. Development of new jacket pattern drafting method : Measurement items necessary to draft new jacket pattern were back waist length, bust girth, waist girth, hip girth, back interscye breadth, front interscye breadth, neck base girth, nipple length, nipple to nipple breadth, 1/2 posterior shoulder length and sleeve length. Basic jackets constructed from the experimental patterns were examined through the fitting test. 3. Evaluation of the new pattern drafting method : The sensory evaluations for appearance and comfort were applied to evaluate the new jacket pattern by comparing it with one of the conventional jacket patterns (Lee Hyung-Suk's). According to the result of sensory evaluation, the new jacket pattern was more positive.

• Journal of the Korea Fashion and Costume Design Association
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• v.10 no.1
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• pp.1-9
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• 2008

The purpose of this research is to lay the foundation that middle aged woman takes care of more healthy, beautiful, attractive external features and prepares successful ageing on studying a difference of recognition between an actual somatotype and an ideal somatotype after we examine an actual somatotype and an ideal somatotype in the object of about $40{\sim}50$ middle-aged woman, dwells in Seoul, is the main group of a home consumption socially. The result of comparing a difference between an actual somatotype and an ideal somatotype was showing that in case of a facial form, the group which their faces are an egg-shaped prefers an egg-shaped and the group which their faces are a round-shaped prefers a round-shaped. In case of a silhouette, all groups prefers a normal type most. In case of a shoulder's type, all groups prefer a normal type most. In case of a shoulder-waist line, all groups prefers a Y line most. In case of a breast's form, all groups prefer a normal type most. In case of a back's form, all groups prefer a normal type most. In case of a buttocks' form, all groups prefers a normal type most. In case of a leg's form, all groups prefers a normal type most. On putting together research result as yet, middle aged women wish a similar somatotype irrespective of an age, an obesity measurement and this means a recognition of making an effort to be beautiful is alike. Therefore, it is necessary to recognize a somatotype of middle aged women uprightly and it must be accomplished a continuous, systematic consultation and education about a weight-control on exercising and not to mention of making a desirable eating habit.

• Women's Health Nursing
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• v.19 no.4
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• pp.285-294
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• 2013

Purpose: The study was done to survey feminine hygiene and vaginal douche practices in middle-aged women to obtain basic information for public health education. Methods: With a descriptive survey design, 134 middle-aged women who have menstrual period were recruited via convenience sampling. Survey contents were from the study by Czerwinski (2000) regarding feminine hygiene and vaginal douching practices. After obtaining IRB approval, a self-administered structured questionnaire was distributed to study participants. Results: Mean age of middle-aged women was 46.88 years old. Fifty-six percent of the women practiced vaginal douching. Women performed douching with water (68%), commercial products (13%), soap (12%), and vinegar-mixed water (6%) for clean and fresh feeling, removal of unpleasant odor, and removal of vaginal discharge. Vaginal douche practice was significantly related to a history of vaginitis. Conclusion: The study results indicate that most of the women practiced inadequate feminine hygiene especially in douching, suggesting that is important to develop education programs on feminine hygiene practices for women of all ages, especially regarding douching and hand washing before and after changing pads or tampons.

• The Korean Journal of Community Living Science
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• v.25 no.3
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• pp.349-361
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• 2014

This study was examined the general trends in social activity participation, the flow degree, and the psychological well-being of middle-aged women in Korea and explored how psychological well-being varies according to various sociodemographic variables, social activity participation, and the flow degree. This study provided practical insights into how the psychological well-being of middle-aged women can be enhanced. Data were gathered from 302 middle-aged women between the ages of 40 and 60 by using a structural questionnaire. The statistical methods included a descriptive analysis, a t-test, and a regression analysis using SPSS WIN 18.0. According to the results of the hierarchical regression analysis, the key variables influencing the psychological well-being of middle-aged women included the flow degree in terms of social activity participation and the education level. These variables explained 30% of the psychological well-being of middle-aged women. The higher the education level and the flow degree, the stronger the psychological well-being was. Social activity participation and the flow degree had greater effects on psychological well-being than sociodemographic characteristics. In particular, an increase in the flow of social activities increased psychological well-being. This suggests a need to improve the psychological well-being of middle-aged women by providing them with an environment where they can play social roles. One way to accomplish this is by linking retraining and life-long education-related activities to employment or volunteer activities. This study demonstrates the importance of the flow degree for the psychological well-being of middle-aged women. The results have important policy and theoretical implications.

• The Research Journal of the Costume Culture
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• v.9 no.5
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• pp.723-733
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• 2001

The purposes of this study were 1) to examine the effects of the difference between actual and perceived body type and body cathexis on satisfaction with fit and 2) to identify the effect of the difference between chronological and ideal age of middle-aged woman on satisfaction with fit of ready-to-wear. For this study, questionnaires were administered to 500 middle-aged woman in Kwangju. Employing 402 respondents, data were analyzed by using $X^2$-test, t-test and Pearson Correlation. The results were as follows; 1) There were significant differences between actual and perceived body types among middle-aged women. Those who were inconsistent with actual and perceived body types had a tendency to perceive themselves to be obeser than actual body. 2) Those who were inconsistent with actual and perceived body types had a lower satisfaction level with apparel fit sites at jacket length, hip width, crotch length and waist width than those who were consistent with actual and perceived body types. 3) Correlation for body cathexis and satisfaction with fit of ready-to-wear was significantly positive. 4) There were significant differences between chronological and ideal ages. 5) Those who were inconsistent with chronological and ideal ages had a lower satisfaction level with apparel fit sites at neckline, shoulder width, bust, sleeve length, sleeve width, Jacket length, waist width, hip width and skirt length than those who were consistent with chronological and ideal ages.

• Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing
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• v.34 no.3
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• pp.515-524
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• 2004

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to develop and test a model to explain the transition state for Korean middle-aged women focusing on the transition concept. Method: A hypothetical model was constructed based on the transition model of Schumacher & Meleis(1994) and tested. Thehypothetical model consisted of 5 latent variables and 11 observed variables. Exogenous variables were demographic characteristics, obstetric characteristics, and health behavior. Endogenous variables were transition state and quality of life with 6 paths. The data from 221 middle-aged women selected by convenience was analyzed using covariance structure analysis. Result: The final model which was modified from the hypotheticalmodel improved to GFI=0.97, AGFI=0.94, NFI=0.94, and NNFI=0.95. The transition state was influenced directly by demographic characteristics, quality of life, and also indirectly by health behaviors. However, the influence of obstetric characteristics was not significant. The transition state was accountable for 68% of the variance by these factors. Conclusion: These results suggest that enhancing health behaviors of the women are necessary to increase quality of life and it consequently contributes toimproving the transition state. This model could be used to explain the health related vulnerability in these ages and to diagnosis individual women.

• Korean Journal of Psychosomatic Medicine
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• v.5 no.1
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• pp.129-134
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• 1997

The meddle years start when persons achieve maturity and end when they realize they are old, and we commonly call ages between thirty-live and sixty five the middle years. Thinking of life as a play, the middle years lead up to and away from the climax of the plot. In the early part of middle age, the man is the main support of his family, and is out to establish himself in his career. He is in a race toward success, and may acquire a sponsor who picks him out as a protege. In the middle part of middle age, the man is ready to come into his own and may break with his sponsor. Most persons are now at the height of their potential, know their areas of competence, and have the satisfaction of feeling in control in them. They need no longer prove themselves from day to day, for they are credited with past accomplishments. Some are caught in "promotion or success depression", and some continue to change jobs creating difficulties is readjustment. The more satisfactory changes usually occur within a career rather than through shifiting careers. In e later part of the middle age the man worries about his physical health, and experiences depression in facing the retirement. Woman frequently change the course of their lives some time between the ages of thirty-five and forty, and may resume their education or careers. Tee quarters of women are passing through "involutional melancholia".