• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.55 no.3
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• pp.213-225
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• 2022

Objectives: The aim of this qualitative study was to investigate how members of the general public in Korea interpret the concept of health, and which dimensions of health are most important to them. We also explored their perceptions of the EuroQoL 5-Dimension (EQ-5D), including the EuroQoL visual analogue scale (EQ-VAS). Methods: We conducted face-to-face, in-depth interviews with 20 individuals from the general population, using a semi-structured interview guide. Content analysis was performed with verbatim transcripts and field notes to identify codes and categorize them according to their similarities and associations. Results: In total, 734 different codes were derived and classified into 4 categories. Participants cited the importance of both the mental and physical aspects of health, although they emphasized that the physical aspects appeared to play a larger role in their conceptualization of health. Participants noted that the EQ-5D has the advantage of being composed of 5 dimensions that are simple and contain both physical and mental areas necessary to describe health. However, some of them mentioned the need to add more dimensions of mental health and social health. Participants showed great satisfaction with the visually well-presented EQ-VAS. However, participants opined that the EQ-VAS scores might not be comparable across respondents because of different ways of responding to the scale. Conclusions: While physical health is a fundamental aspect of health, mental and social aspects are also important to Koreans. The content of the EQ-5D broadly matched the attributes of health considered important by Koreans.

• Korean Journal of Occupational Health Nursing
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• v.29 no.1
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• pp.58-68
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• 2020

Purpose: Workers with chronic health problems find it difficult to maintain their work because of socioeconomic difficulties. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the relationships between physical, ergonomic, and mental health hazards in the workplace and chronic health problems of Korean workers. Methods: A total of 28,807 wage workers participated in the study and were selected using the Fifth Korean Working Conditions Survey (2017). Multiple logistic regression analysis was used to determine the associations between physical, ergonomic, and mental health hazards and chronic health problems. Results: Of the participants, 1,220 (4.23%) had chronic health problems. Even after adjusting the general characteristics, vibration, noise, high temperature, low temperature, dust, chemical and cigarette smoke, fatigue and painful posture, dragging or pushing or moving of heavy objects, repetitive hand or arm movements, working with a computer or smartphone, use of internet or e-mail, and anxiety situations increased the risk of chronic health problems. Conclusion: The study reaffirms that exposure of physical, ergonomic, and mental health hazards in the workplace significantly increases the risk of chronic health problems.

• Research in Community and Public Health Nursing
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• v.20 no.3
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• pp.381-389
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• 2009

Purpose: The study was to explore the level of low back pain and characteristic factors influencing low back pain (LBP) and mental health during pregnancy. Methods: The subjects were a total of 383 healthy pregnant women in S City and K-Do. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, t-test, ANOVA, and Pearson's correlation. Results: 82.5% of the pregnant women answered the existence of LBP and 19.7% of them had high LBP. The preferred method of controlling LBP was 'Just endure'(42.3%). There were significant differences in pregnancy level (p<.05) and discomfort condition related to pregnancy (p<.01) according to low back pain. There were significant differences in pain intensity according to mental health. The correlation between pain level and pregnancy weeks (p<.001) and BMI in previous pregnancy (p<.001) was significant. The correlation between mental health and age was significant (p<.001). Conclusion: The majority of the pregnant women experienced LBP during pregnancy. However, they were not offered the best method of controlling the pain. Thus, for preventing LBP during pregnancy, we recommend regular exercises and BMI control.

• Korean Journal of Family Social Work
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• no.55
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• pp.157-188
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• 2017

The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of self-care activities on physical and mental health of primary caregivers of functionally impaired elderly. Data were collected from 185 primary caregivers who were caring for their spouses or parents with functional impairment at home in Daejon. SPSS 21.0 software was used for descriptive analysis and hierarchical regression analysis. The results showed that (1) primary caregivers reported their physical health status as poor (2) the domains of health responsibility, physical activity in their self-care activities were significant predictors of their physical health level (3) primary caregivers reported very high level of depression (4) their mental health was significantly influenced by spiritual growth among self-care activities. Based on these findings, social work intervention and policy suggestions were discussed.

• Journal of Industrial Convergence
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• v.20 no.10
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• pp.71-77
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• 2022

The purpose of this study was to identify factors affecting the mental health of female middle school students living in rural areas. The study period was from March 14 to 25, 2022, and was conducted with 239 female middle school students attending three middle schools located in G district. The collected data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, t-test, Pearson's correlation, and multiple regression. As a result of the study, significant influencing factors on the subject's mental health were living with both parents (β=.12, t=2.50, p =.013), past subjective mental health status (β=.15, t=2.83, p=.005), subjective physical health status (β=-.21, t=-3.94, p<.001), loneliness (β=.22, t=4.23, p<.001), and severity of insomnia (β=.36, t=6.55, p<.001), and these variables showed 46% explanatory power for mental health. Through this study, further research is needed to specify the causal relationship between living with both parents, past mental health status, physical health status, loneliness, and severity of insomnia and intervention strategies for the mental health of female middle school students considering these variables.

• Journal of Home Health Care Nursing
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• v.25 no.3
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• pp.164-172
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• 2018

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate levels of health promotion behavior and mental well-being and to analyze the factors affecting mental well-being in nursing students. Methods: A total of 164 nursing students participated in the study. Data were analyzed by frequencies, t-tests, ANOVA, Pearson correlation coefficients, and stepwise multiple regression with SPSS 25.0 software. Results: The mean scores for health promotion behavior and mental well-being were found to be above and below average, respectively. There were significant mean differences in health promotion behavior and mental well-being according to satisfaction with major and perceived physical health status. Health promotion behavior positively correlated with mental well-being. The significant predictors of mental well-being included self-actualization, stress management, and exercise of health promotion behavior. The regression model explained 49.1% of mental well-being. Conclusion: Improving self-actualization capability and stress management skills and developing a habit of regular exercise will increase mental well-being among nursing students.

• Women's Health Nursing
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• v.2 no.1
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• pp.53-67
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• 1996

A total health state evaluation of Korean female elderlies was made by using the questionary scheme measuring the physical, mental and social functions of the elderlies, in order to investigate the critical factors for the health maintenance of female elderlies and to develop their preventive nursing program. A total of 280 subjects over 65 years old living in Seoul and the suburban area were selected and interviewed during the period of September and October in 1995. The materials collected were analyzed statistically by using SAS data processing program, and the results and recommendations are summarized as follows. 1. The physical health state of Korean elderly women was evaluated to be satisfactory by showing an average score of 3.722 in 5.0 full-score scale. But this score was lower than those evaluated for the elderlies combined both sexes(4.054). The mental health state of the subjects was also evaluated as high scoring 3.484, possibly due to the fact that 78% of the subjects lived together with their children's family. On the other hand, the social health state of the subjects was relatively low scoring 2.585, mainly due to that 80% of them was widows which was resulted by the 6-7 years longer life-expectancy of Korean women. 2. A significant differences in the physical health state scores between different age groups was observed, indicating the rapid ageing process occurring in this age group. The family structure was appeared to be an important factor influencing the physical health state of the female elderlies ; the physical health score of the women with her husband only was higher than that of those living with children's families, and the lowest score was obtained from those living alone. 3. The age was the most important factor determining the mental health state of the subjects, while the religion, educational status, marriage state and family structure did not significantly influenced the mental health state of the aged women. 4. The social health state of the subject was deeply influenced by the marriage state and family structure, showing significantly lower scores with widowers compared to the married couples. Those living with their married spouse only obtained the highest social health score, while those living along showed the lowest score. The parent and grandparentship of those living with their children and the religion, especially Catholic and Protestant, had positive influence on the social health state of the aged women. 5. The mental health state of aged women showed significant correlation with the factors determining the physical health, except for digestive system related ability and sexual ability and the highest extra home ability. 6. The mental health state of aged women showed significant correlation with the factors determining social health, especially with the parent and grandparentship and the family relative's role. From these results, the following recommendations are made. 1. Since the physical, mental and social health states of aged people are deeply influenced by the sex and the average values of the both sex can create misleading figures, the health evaluation of the elderlies should be made separately by sex. 2. Since the health state of aged women is highly influenced by their family structure, the spouse's role and living with married couple only should be emphasized in respect of preventive health care. 3. The social activity programs and grandparentship teaching programs should be prepared in the nursing care program for aged people.

• Environmental Analysis Health and Toxicology
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• v.20 no.2 s.49
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• pp.153-159
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• 2005

In order to evaluate the physical and mental health status of airline flight attendants, 136 airline flight attendants were given a general health questionnaire (Todai Health Index), and the prevalence of their subjective complaints was measured. Collected data were classified according to age distribution, length of employment, service area, smoking status, job satisfaction, gender, and marital status. The results obtained were summarized as follows: 1 The scores of health complaints of physical items were higher in the oldest group $(age 50\~60)$ than in younger groups. The THI eye and skin symptom scores were significantly higher for the oldest groups than for the younger groups. 2. The health complaints scores of physical items were higher in the long-length employment group (more than 5 years), whereas most scores of mental items were higher in the short- length employment group (less than 2 years). The THI mouth and anus scores for the long-length employment group were significantly higher than for groups of workers who had been employed for a shorter time. 3. THI scores were higher for domestic airline crews, dissatisfied workers and females. 4. The irregular life THI score was significantly higher among domestic crews than international crews. 5. The impulsiveness and depression scores were significantly higher in the dissatisfaction group. 6. The female group showed higher scores in the multiple subjective symptoms, mental irritability, depression, and irregular life categories. 7, The THI scores of the mouth, anus and nervousness were significantly higher for the married group than for the unmarried group. In summary, this study shows that the health complaints scores of physical and mental symptoms tended to be higher among the aged group, domestic airline crews, the dissatisfaction group, and females. These results can be used for improving the psychosomatic health status and working environments of flight attendants.

• Research in Community and Public Health Nursing
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• v.29 no.1
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• pp.1-10
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• 2018

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to examine the prevalence and risk factors of suicidal ideation among middle class Korean. Methods: Cross sectional study was designed for secondary data analysis. From the 8th Korea Health Panel survey (2008~2013), a total of 6,037 data was drawn and analyzed by developmental stage using descriptive statistics including frequency, percentage, $x^2$ test, and logistic regression analysis. Results: Across all age groups, high physical-mental stress, frustration, anxiety about the future and low self-perceived health status or social class were found to be the risk factors of suicidal ideation. Peer-compared subjective health status and frustration significantly influenced the adolescents. The young adults'suicidal ideation was mainly influenced by physical and mental stress, frustration and absence of economic activity. For the middle-aged, physical and mental stress, frustration, future anxiety, low peer-compared subjective health status were found to be the major influencing factors. The predominant risk factors for the elderly were frustration and low peer-compared subjective health status. Conclusion: Making comparisons to others significantly influence suicidal ideation throughout all life cycles. Improvement of mental health and suicide prevention can be enhanced by avoiding negative comparison to others.

• Korean Journal of Occupational Health Nursing
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• v.29 no.4
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• pp.254-261
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• 2020

Purpose: Despite the importance of mental health-related quality of life among workers, its comprehensive understanding is lacking. This study aimed to identify influencing factors regarding mental health-related quality of life through a comprehensive literature review. Methods: The integrative review method of Whittemore and Knaf was used. Data search was conducted on papers published before September 2020, and RISS, NDSL, and KISS were used for the search. Results: Fourteen studies were selected for analysis. Five factors affecting the mental health-related quality of life of workers were found. Mental and physical health status, job stress, working environment, health behaviors, and other personal and socio-economic characteristics were significant influencing factors. Conclusion: Findings from the review suggest the necessity of developing a customized intervention program to improve the mental health-related quality of life of workers.