• Korean Journal of Psychosomatic Medicine
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.72-81
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• 2010

Objectives : Early detection and proper management of distress are known to be important for efficient care in cancer patients. The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence of distress and to evaluate its influence on quality of life in subjects with breast cancer. Methods : A total of 95 patients were recruited from a breast cancer patient community of a general hospital in Seoul. The Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale(HADS), the Insomnia Severity Index(ISI), the Impact of Event Scale-Revised(IES-R) and the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-Breast(FACT-B) were measured. Results : The prevalence of anxiety, depression, insomnia and posttraumatic stress disorder symptom among breast cancer patients was 26.3%, 26.3%, 13.7%, 24.3%, respectively. Nearly half(47.4%) of total subjects were under one or more significant distress, and they showed significantly lower mean FACT-B total score than patients without distress(82.91 vs. 107.20, p<0.001). Distress was negatively correlated with the quality of life to a significant level even in patients who were in normal range of distress scale scores. Conclusion : These results support the importance of regular screening and proper management of distress for breast cancer patients.

• Korean Journal of Psychosomatic Medicine
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• v.24 no.2
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• pp.125-132
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• 2016

Objectives : The management of disaster should be immediate and sustainable. Further, it is hard to predict where the disaster will occur, using pre-exists governmental and non-governmental organizations are important. In this study, we tried to investigate the associated activities of organizations performed in Ansan city, in Sewol ferry accident. Methods : A total 121 workers in 25 organizations were surveyd about organizations which they worked with, kind of works performed, frequency of meetings, satisfaction in activities and factors associated with dissatisfaction in usual state and in Sewol ferry accident state, respectively. The differences between those two situations were analyzed using paired t-test for continuous variables and Chi-square test or McNemar test for categorical variables. Results : The total number of linkage of institutions were decreased(from n=397 to n=251) and the mean scores of rating satisfaction were significantly lower in most of organizations in disaster state. The rigid policy in performance evaluation was more likely associated with dissatisfaction in disaster state than usual state(p=0.045). Conclusions : For effective linkage of institutions, preparedness, such as understanding the capability of organizations in the communities and developing the protocol for associated activities, is important. The unnecessary and effortful performance evaluation should be sublated.

• Korean Journal of Psychosomatic Medicine
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• v.28 no.2
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• pp.99-107
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• 2020

Fibromyalgia is a disorder characterized by the core symptom of chronic widespread pain, along with fatigue, sleep disturbances, mood changes, and cognitive difficulties. The etiology of fibromyalgia involves a combination of biological factors, such as genetic vulnerability, alterations in pain processing and stress response system ; psychological factors, such as anxiety, depression, anger, and perceived stress ; environmental factors, such as infections, febrile diseases, and trauma. Central sensitization, which is amplified in the process of sensory stimulation, has been emphasized as a key etiological factor, as supported by enhanced wind-up, delayed aftersensation, decreased nociceptive flexion reflex threshold and functional imaging studies. Several guidelines recommend that a multimodal approach be used to treat fibromyalgia, including both pharmacological and non-pharmacological treatments, tailored to each individual, and that clinicians should provide an intellectual framework through sufficient education and emphasis on the importance of self-management. The prevalence of mood disorders, anxiety disorders, and other psychiatric problems is 7-9 times higher in patients with fibromyalgia than in the general population ; moreover, the association between fibromyalgia and certain psychopathologies or sleep problems has also been suggested. Since psychiatric problems, with shared vulnerabilities and risk factors, interact with fibromyalgia bidirectionally and also affect the disease course, an integrated management approach is needed to determine the risk of comorbidities.

• Korean Journal of Psychosomatic Medicine
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• v.31 no.2
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• pp.50-62
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• 2023

Objectives : This study aimed to identify unmet needs and influencing factors for patients who have breast cancer, colorectal cancer, lung cancer, and thyroid cancer. Methods : We reviewed the SCIE publications on unmet need of four prevalent cancer patients published after 2010 through a web search. Results : The measurement tools primarily used were Cancer Survivors' Unmet Needs and Supportive Care Needs Survey questionnaire. Lung cancer patients reported a relatively higher rate of unmet needs. Breast cancer patients frequently reported unmet needs in the healthcare system and information, while thyroid cancer patients in post-treatment management and psychological issues. Colorectal cancer patients reported unmet needs in psychological and comprehensive care domain, and lung cancer patients reported unmet needs in physical and daily life management. Younger age, a shorter time since diagnosis or treatment, and higher levels of anxiety, depression, distress, and reduced quality of life were associated with more significant unmet needs. Conclusions : Unmet needs and influencing factors vary by cancer type. Considering the characteristics of each patient group and unmet needs can help in development of more effective treatment and support programs.

• International Journal of Safety
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• v.9 no.1
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• pp.30-34
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• 2010

A big difference is seen in the perception of self-responsibility concerning safety, as a result of my survey on the safety measures taken in the pipeline construction at workers level between Japan and Indonesia. Specifically, when an accident occurs, a worker in Indonesia will think that the responsibility depends on the person who causes it. However a worker in Japan will think that safety is can only be protected by law and regulations. There is also another difference in the understanding of construction period. It is alright in Indonesia to take 5 times longer period than it takes in Japan if the cost is less. The idea of punctual delivery is very strong in Japan. Through this survey, points which construction industry in Japan could learn from Indonesia came to surface. In addition, over the recent years, several nasty accidents at Japanese sites were caused due to human error to disregard the law. Japanese should arouse the awareness of self-responsibility in this regard. Risk management should be upon self-recognition of each individual worker in both countries. What is important is the "work attitude education", "to grow sense of self-responsibility by thinking on one's own for one's self" in the education curriculum of man to man learning as in technical educational program.

• Research in Community and Public Health Nursing
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• v.6 no.2
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• pp.250-258
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• 1995

The purpose of this study was to determine the level of health promotive behavior of adults and thereby to develope the health promotive behavior scale adjusting our sociocultural situation. The item for health promotive behavior was aquired from statements which was reported by Kim through deep interview with 164 Korean adults. The scale was measured with 4 points Likert type. Data was collected with questionnaire for population living in farm of Chungnam Province and Dae Jon City, from July to August 1994 by research assistant trained by researchers. Data was analysed using SPSS program with Cronbach $\alpha$ and factor analysis. The results are as follows : 1. For the reliability of the scale, Cronbach $\alpha$ was .8264 2. The factor analysis to examine the construct validity showed that health promotive behaviors included 9 factors: health management (16.0%), regular life style(7.4%), psychosomatic control(5.6%), moderation of living(4.6%), stress rnanagement(4.1%), abstain from favorite (3.9%), sanitary habit (3.8%), thought (3.2%), diet habit(3.1%). Nine factors explained 51.7% of varient.

• Journal of Yeungnam Medical Science
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• v.38 no.3
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• pp.194-201
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• 2021

Amputation changes the lives of patients and their families. Consequently, the patient must adapt to altered body function and image. During this adaptation process, psychological problems, such as depression, anxiety, and posttraumatic stress disorder, can occur. The psychological difficulties of patients with amputation are often accepted as normal responses that are often poorly recognized by patients, family members, and their primary physicians. Psychological problems can interfere with rehabilitation and cause additional psychosocial problems. Therefore, their early detection and treatment are important. A multidisciplinary team approach, including mental health professionals, is ideal for comprehensive and biopsychosocial management. Mental health professionals could help patients set realistic goals and use adaptive coping styles. Psychiatric approaches should consider the physical, cognitive, psychological, social, and spiritual functions and social support systems before and after amputation. The abilities and limitations of physical, cognitive, psychological, and social functions should also be considered. To improve the patient's adaptation, psychological interventions such as short-term psychotherapy, cognitive behavioral therapy, mindfulness meditation, biofeedback, and group psychotherapy can be helpful.

• Korean Journal of Psychosomatic Medicine
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• v.20 no.1
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• pp.22-31
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• 2012

Objectives : We investigated the prevalence and functional impairment of premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD) and premenstrual syndrome(PMS) in young women. Methods : A total of 1063 female college students were recruited from two urban areas(Seoul and Suwon) of Korea. Questionnaires for sociodemographic data and risk factors of PMDD, attitude about menstruation, and the Premenstrual Symptoms Screening Tool(PSST) were applied. Results : The prevalence of severe moderate to severe PMS and PMDD were 16.9% and 11.7%, respectively. There were differences in the alcohol and coffee consumption, severity of menstrual cramp, and family history of PMS among the moderate to severe PMS, PMDD, and no/mild PMS groups. Although some participants did not fulfill diagnostic criteria for PMDD, they showed significant functional impairment. Participants with negative attitude about menstruation reported premenstrual symptoms more frequently than those with positive or ambivalent attitude about menstruation. Conclusion : These results suggest that PMS and PMDD were prevalent and associated with functional impairment in young females. Some participants reported significant functional impairments although they did not meet the full DSM-IV diagnostic criteria for PMDD. Negative attitude about menstruation was associated with more premenstrual symptoms experiences.

• Korean Journal of Psychosomatic Medicine
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• v.11 no.1
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• pp.36-43
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• 2003

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the difference of cognitve function among patients with posttraumatic stress disorder according to severity of symptoms. Methods: The subjects were 90 psychiatric inpatients and outpatients with posttraumatic stress disorer(by DSM-IV criteria) after traffic accident. The severity of symptoms was assessed by MMPI subscales; depression, psychasthenia, schizophrenia. The impairment of cognitive function was assessed by Korean Wechsler Intelligence Scale(K-WAIS). Based on scores of the MMPI subscales, the patients were divided into high group(above 70 percentile) and low group(below 30 percentile). We estimated the difference of the K-WAIS score and subtest score in the low group and high group of the MMPI subscales by indedpendent t-test. Results: The scores of high group is significantly higher in the subtests of information, vocabulary, similarity, picture completion, and picture arrangement than the low group for psychasthenia subscale of MMPI. And the score of high group is significantly higher in full scale I.Q., verbal I.Q., performance I.Q., verbal subscales except digit span and simiarity, and performance subscales than low group for schiozphrenia subscale of MMPI. Conclusion: It was found cognitive function was more impaired in the group of PTSD with severe symptom compared to the group of PTSD with mild symptoms. We suggest that psychiatrist should consider various cognitive approaches as well as pharmacotherapy in the management of PTSD.

• Korean Journal of Psychosomatic Medicine
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• v.12 no.1
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• pp.23-29
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• 2004

The objective of this study was to make a comparison on anger level between patients with coronary artery diseases and healthy individuals. 233 patients with coronary artery diseases and 215 normal controls were enrolled in this study. The Anger Expression Scale, the anger and aggression subscales of the Stress Response Inventory(SRI) and the hostility subscale of the Symptom Checklist-90-revised(SCL-90-R) were used to assess the level of anger. The patients with coronary artery diseases scored significantly higher on the anger-out and anger total subscales of the anger expression scale, the anger and aggression subscales of the SRI than the normal controls. The patients with angina pectoris had significantly higher scores in the anger-out and anger-total subscale than those with myocardial infarction. Male subjects scored significantly higher on the anger-in subscale than females, whereas female subjects scored significantly higher on the anger-out subscale than male subjects. These results suggest that patients with coronary artery diseases are likely to have a higher level of anger or anger expression than normal controls and that there may be difference in anger expression between male and female patients. It is emphasized that anger management is needed to prevent the coronary artery disease patients from aggravating the illness.