• Anxiety and mood
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• v.8 no.1
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• pp.22-30
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• 2012

Objective : We investigated whether Posttraumatic stress disorder patients have a higher tendency to exaggerate the extent of their psychological symptoms compared to other psychiatric patients. Methods : Medical records of patients, who had received psychiatric treatment at four university hospitals in Korea between January 2009 and December 2010, were retrospectively reviewed. We compared a group of 37 patients diagnosed with PTSD, and another group of 41 patients diagnosed with neurotic, stress-related and somatoform disorders according to the ICD-10. To compare the extent of malingering in the two groups, we compared the validity scales of MMPI-2 and Personality Assessment Inventory. We determined the number of participants in both groups feigning their responses by using various cutoff scores of the validity indicators. Results : The PTSD group showed significantly higher scores on the F (p=0.001), F (B)(p=0.000), F (P)(p=0.030), F-K (p=0.003) scale of the MMPI-2 compared to the other group of psychiatric patients. The PTSD group had a significantly higher NIM score (p=0.001) but a lower PIM score (p=0.020) of the PAI compared to the other group of psychiatric patients. Using the cutoff scores, the PTSD group showed a significantly higher number of patients who feigned responses compared to the other group ($Fb{\geq}75$ (p=0.010), $F-K{\geq}1$ (p=0.005), $F-K{\geq}10$ (p=0.011) from the MMPI-2, and $NIM{\geq}80$ (p=0.001) from the PAI). Conclusion : These results suggest that PTSD patients have a tendency to exaggerate their symptom. This group of patients overreported the severity of their condition during standardized personality assessment that included the MMPI-2 or PAI compared to patients diagnosed with other psychiatric disorders. Additional research is required to determine the factors influencing symptom exaggeration in PTSD.

• Korean Journal of Forensic Psychology
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• v.12 no.2
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• pp.223-251
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• 2021

Statement analysis is a technique that examines the credibility of a statement by scientifically analyzing problems and psychological characteristics that appear in the content of the statement. The statement analysis report is prepared, submitted, and used for legal judgments when there is a suspicion of sexual abuse for children(under 13 years of age) and persons with disabilities since it is usually difficult to secure physical evidence nor eyewitnesses. However, the criteria for evaluating the quality of a statement analysis report or testimony are not available in Korea. Although forensic experts and professional organizations in North America and Europe are providing recommendations and guidelines for preparing forensic assessment reports, qualitative analysis research studies for forensic reports revealed a number of problems such as missing or poorly described essential information and lack of logical connection between evaluation results and forensic opinions. Therefore, forensic evaluation guidelines and forensic reports submitted to the courts in the United States, as well as the Structured Quality assessment of eXpert testimony (SQX-12) developed in Sweden were examined to suggest the Korean version of quality evaluation criteria for statement analysis report and testimony. This criteria can be used to improve effectiveness of forensic reports within criminal justice system and used as a guideline to assess the quality forensic reports or expert testimony prepared by experts. However, this criteria do not guarantee the reliability of the statement itself.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• v.25 no.3
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• pp.173-182
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• 2012

Background: Fibromyalgia (FM) is characterized by chronic widespread pain with a low pain threshold. The aim of this study was to compare two criteria for the diagnosis and assessment of FM and to analyze the correlation and agreement between the 1990 and 2010 American College of Rheumatology (ACR) preliminary diagnostic criteria for FM. Methods: We studied 98 patients who had already been diagnosed as having FM using the 1990 criteria or 2010 preliminary criteria. Tender point examination, FM impact questionnaire (FIQ) and pain visual analog scale (VAS) were obtained. According to the preliminary criteria, FM was quantified as WPI (widespread pain index) and the SS scale (symptom severity) and the two criteria were compared. Results: Among 98 patients, 78.6% of the patients were diagnosed with the 1990 ACR criteria and 93.9% of the patients were diagnosed with the ACR preliminary diagnostic criteria, and there was also significant agreement between the two criteria (P < 0.01). There was a correlation with the WPI and the tender point, with the SS and the FIQ, and with the sum of the WPI and SS and the FIQ. Conclusions: The ACR preliminary diagnostic criteria for FM were in agreement with the 1990 ACR criteria during the disease course. The preliminary criteria were the more sensitive method than the 1990 criteria. In addition, the 2010 criteria might have advantages since it is easy to assess the physical and psychological symptoms and can be quantified. Therefore, the ACR preliminary diagnostic criteria for FM could be used more conveniently for clinical diagnosis and follow up evaluation after starting management of FM.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.53 no.6
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• pp.429-438
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• 2020

Objectives: Given that Argentinian public-sector workers are highly exposed to stressful conditions, and that the psychometric properties of the widely used Perceived Stress Scale (PSS) should be evaluated in different settings, this work aimed to compare the psychometric properties of the Latin American Spanish PSS-10 and PSS-4 and to identify the optimal scale for stress assessment. Methods: A sample of 535 participants was randomly divided into 2 groups to evaluate dimensionality by exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses. The reliability of both scales was also evaluated. Convergent validity was estimated using the Executive Complaints Questionnaire, the average variance extracted, and the composite reliability. Discriminant validity was based on the correlation with the Utrecht Work Engagement Scale and the phi-square correlation between the components. Results: The factor analyses supported bidimensionality of the PSS-10 (stress and coping), which showed a better fit than the PSS-4. Moreover, the reliability of the PSS-10 was higher, whereas the PSS-4 did not achieve adequate values of internal consistency. The PSS-10 was also correlated significantly with all validation scales, and presented proper internal convergent and divergent validity. Conclusions: The PSS-10 is a reliable and structurally valid instrument to measure perceived stress and coping in a Latin American Spanish-speaking population with high work demands, and the findings of this study expand our knowledge on the geographical and sociocultural applicability of the PSS.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.612-620
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• 2004

Acne is a relatively common disorder, especially in the adolescent or 20-30th young people. The condition is characterized by comedones, papules and pustules. Acne has social and psychological influence on the acne patients. But there is no perfect treatment of acne. It is known that Herba Houttuyniae has anti-inflammatory action and anti-bacterial action. Therefore, we studied the effect of 5% Herba Houttuyniae extract solution on the acne. The study was designed to compare the efficacy of 5% Herba Houttuyniae solution on the acne. The study was carried out on two groups-a experimental and a control group- for 4 weeks. Efficacy was determined by investigating counts of non-inflammatory open and closed comedones, and inflammatory papules and pustules once a week. After a experiment self-assessment was checked. As the result of the study, we found that a significant difference was observed in the mean counts and self-assessment of the experimental group. So we concluded that Herba Houttuyniae has a clinical effect on the acne.

• The Journal of Pediatrics of Korean Medicine
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.1-12
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• 2007

Objectives : Allergic children have known to have multiple behavior problems. Among them, attentional ability disorder is one of the most common problems. This study is to examine relationship between learning ability and allergic rhinitis by analyzing EEG status of children. Methods : We analyzed cognitive functions of two different children groups; 21 children with allergic rhinitis and 19 normal children with CANS 3000(Central & Autonomic Nervous System, LAXTHA Inc., Korea), cognitive functions assessment program by EEG. Results : 1. According to mean active EEG rhythm of Theta, Alpha, SMR, M-beta, there were no significant difference between allergic rhinitis and the normal group. 2. According to mean active EEG rhythm of right H-beta, Gamma wave allergic rhinitis group's value was significantly higher than that of the normal group. 3. According to mean cognitive strength, response, concentration, left / right brain activity and learning ability score, there were no significant difference between allergic rhinitis and the normal group. 4. According to mean workload score, allergic rhinitis group's value was significantly higher than that of the normal group. Conclusions : It is likely that allergic rhinitis group, which showed relatively high frequency EEG rhythm, is more fragile to stress and less active on mental processing. Along side with physical examination, psychological assessment should also be conjugated on treating children with allergic rhinitis.

• Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing
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• v.48 no.3
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• pp.375-388
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• 2018

Purpose: This study was conducted to assess the reliability and validity of the Korean version of the Coping and Adaptation Processing Scale-Short- Form in patients with cancer. Methods: The original scale was translated into Korean using Brislin's translation model. The Korean Short-Form and the Functional Assessment Cancer Therapy-General were administered to 164 Korean patients with cancer using convenience sampling method. The collected data were analyzed using SPSS 23.0 and AMOS 23.0. Construct validity, criterion validity, test-retest reliability, and internal consistency reliability of the Korean Coping and Adaptation Processing Scale-Short-Form were evaluated. Results: Exploratory factor analysis supported the construct validity with a four-factor solution that explained 60.6% of the total variance. Factor loadings of the 15 items on the four subscales ranged .52~.86. The four-subscale model was validated by confirmatory factor analysis (Normed ${\chi}^2=1.38$ (p=.013), GFI=.92, SRMR=.02, RMSEA=.05, TLI=.94, and CFI=.95), and criterion validity was demonstrated with the Functional Assessment Cancer Therapy-General. Cronbach's alpha for internal consistency of the total scale was .83 and ranged .68~.81 for all subscales, demonstrating sufficient test-retest reliability. Conclusion: The Korean version showed satisfactory construct and criterion validity, as well as internal consistency and test-retest reliability.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.14 no.3
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• pp.1905-1909
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• 2013

Objective: The aim of the current study was to evaluate changes in treatment outcomes in terms of health-related quality of life (HRQoL) and symptom burden at zero, one, three, and six months after an initial diagnosis of colorectal cancer. The demographic and clinical characteristics that account for outcome changes in patients were investigated using a repeated measures framework. Methods and Materials: A cohort study was performed of 134 colorectal cancer patients followed from diagnosis to 6 months post-treatment in Central Taiwan. HRQoL and symptoms were assessed at diagnosis and one, three, and six months thereafter. The Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-Colon (FACT-C) questionnaire, VAS pain, and the Memorial Symptom Assessment Scale (MSAS) were used for data collection. A generalized estimating equation (GEE) was applied for statistical analysis. Results: The majority of the patients were male (55%) and married (91.5%). The mean age was 60.4 years (SD = 11.71). Most were diagnosed stage III and IV colorectal cancer (54.5%). All underwent surgery; some also received chemotherapy (CT) or concurrent chemoradiation therapy (CCRT). The results of the GEE showed that overall, the HRQoL, pain, and symptoms of the patients significantly improved over the treatment period. Patients with stage IV disease who had received surgery and CCRT showed the worst HRQoL. Females, patients with comorbidity, and stage IV patients had higher pain scores over time. Female and stage IV patients had more severe physical symptoms, whereas stage II and IV patients had worse psychological symptoms over time. Conclusion: The patients' HRQoL, pain, and symptoms significantly improved over the 6-month treatment period. Certain patient and clinical variables accounted for changes in treatment outcomes regarding HRQoL and symptom burden in colorectal cancer patients.

• Korean Journal of Adult Nursing
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• v.24 no.4
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• pp.348-357
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• 2012

Purpose: This retrospective chart review study was carried out in order to examine the frequency of delirium, and to identify the risk factors associated with the development of delirium in elderly patients with arthroplasty. Methods: Data were collected from medical records of patients who received arthroplasty during one and half year in a hospital. Three hundred sixty five patients were selected for the study. The onset of delirium was reviewed based on the result of psychological doctor's consultation or nurse's assessment with Confusion Assessment Method and delirium onset risk factors were examined. Data were analyzed with descriptive statistics, t-test, $x_2$-test, Fisher's exact test and logistic regression analysis. Results: Delirium occurred with 31 patients (8.5%) out of 365 patients who underwent arthroplasty. There were statistically significant differences between incidence of delirium and gender ($x_2$=6.11, p=.025), age ($x_2$=32.81, p<.001), hearing difficulty ($x_2$=8.08, p=.012), albumin level of preoperational day (t=-3.43, p<.001), albumin (t=-2.20, p=.028) and hemoglobin level (t=-2.83, p=.005) of operational day. Age and gender were the most significant predictive factors with regard to the incidence of delirium. Conclusion: Through understanding of these results, nurses will be able to identify those patients who may be at risk for developing delirium in early stages.

• Journal of Environmental Science International
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• v.21 no.12
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• pp.1487-1494
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• 2012

This study has been carried out to verify curative effect of lavender and lawn, a green space composition factor. Thus, the physiological index value of blood pressure, heart rate and salivary amylase were measured with object of 16 women in their 20~30s for stress relaxation effect at lavender garden and lawn square, and impression assessment upon SD method as for psychological value was performed in this study. And a survey was conducted on necessity and reason of urban green space with object of 345 men and women urban workers. As a result of variance analysis between groups and multi test of Turkey upon object place, the blood pressure was lowered the same at lavender garden and lawn square, and especially, high blood pressure was greatly lowered to 30 mmHG at lavender garden. On the other hand, low blood pressure group showed the tendency of a little increasing at the same places. And for the pulse, there was difference between high blood pressure group and normal group at the same places. To conclude, at lavender garden and lawn square the blood pressure was made to be lowered when it's high, and when it's low, the effect of returning to sound status, the function of increasing, was verified. In case of impression assessment upon SD method, the lawn square was assessed as resting place and lavender garden diversional place. And over 90% of urban workers responded to the green space's necessity and curative effect, diversion and resting place were adopted for the reason in high-ranking items. As above the green space pattern that urban workers require and curative effect of lavender garden and lawn square were verified. Therefore, the functional green space plan is required, which curative effect, diversion and resting place are considered, for the future green space plan design.