• Journal of Korean Biological Nursing Science
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• v.7 no.2
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• pp.31-48
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• 2005

Purpose: Studies focus on cancer control, prevention, or assessment of psychosocial problems and intervention methods. However, few studies exist concerning psychosocial problems, measuring tools for those problems, and interventions for cancer patients in Korea. One of the purposes of this study was to review studies in this area, to examine various psychosocial problems experienced by cancer patients. This is a crucial area to investigate, since psychosocial problems in turn negatively influence the patients' immune function, which speeds the progress of the disease. Another goal was to identify instruments used to measure psychosocial functioning and problems in cancer patients, to analyze their validity and reliability, with the aim to discover the best instruments. A final goal was to explore and compare the effects of psychosocial interventions, to determine the most effective practices. Method: Journal articles published since 1995 were searched from PubMed Data base, Google search engine, and published cancer-related studies, using search keywords "psychosocial function and intervention for the cancer patients"; whole articles of selected references were reviewed and analyzed. Result: Most common psychosocial problems were depression, fatigue, nausea, pain, distress, resulting in a low quality of life. The seven scales found in the literature to assess the psychosocial functioning were Center for Epidemiological Studies-Depression, State-Trait Anxiety Inventory, Symptom Checklist 90-R, Profile of Mood States, Psychosocial Adjustment to Illness Scale, Brief Symptom Inventory, and SF-36 HRQOL(Health Related Quality of Life). Social support interventions for cancer patients were effective in improving quality of life scores. Conclusion: It is necessary to apply support intervention strategies to help cancer patients in Korea. These strategies can help to reduce the effects of psychosocial symptoms, which in turn affect the development and control of cancer. Strategies developed in Western countries may need to be modified for use within Korea. Further studies are warranted to review the support intervention strategies that were being used to for cancer patients

• Sleep Medicine and Psychophysiology
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• v.3 no.1
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• pp.68-78
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• 1996

Objective : The Mini-Mental State Examination(MMSE) and Brief Cognitive Rating Scale(BCRS) are frequently using screening tests fur evaluating the cognitive function in clinical practice and research. The authors tried to evaluate the clinical usefulness of these tests for the patients with non-traumatic subcortical cerebrovascular disease. Method : We administered the MMSE and BCRS to 85 patients and 195 normal control group. In order to compare the test results according to the lesion site, we divided patients into left sided lesion group(21 patients), right sided lesion group(31 patients) and both sided lesion group(13 patients). Their cognitive function was evaluated by the BNA and daily living functional activity was examined by the IADLs(Instrumental Activities of Daily Living Scale)and GERRI(Geriatric Evaluation by Relative's Rating Instrument). Results : The results are as follows : 1) In the BNA, the patients scored significantly lower than control group at all items(except Right-Left Orientation and Motor Impersistence), but there were no difference in the MMSE(total score and all 5 items), and only 2 items(recent memory and self-care) were significantly different between two groups in the BCRS. 2) In the comparison by lateralization, there were significant differences among three groups at 3 items(Left Tactile Form Perception, Left Finger Localization and Right Finger Localization) in the BNA. But, there were no difference in the MMSE and BCRS. 3) In the correlation between daily living functioning and the MMSE/BCRS, control group showed no relation(except item of cognitive functioning), but patient group was significantly correlated with 3 items(social functioning, instrumental activities of daily living and cognitive functioning). Conclusions : These findings suggest that MMSE and BCRS are not useful as the test for cognitive function and discrimination of lateralization in patients with non-traumatic subcortical cerebrovascular disease. However, scores of these tests may be related with the functional level(such as daily living function) of patients.

• Korean Journal of Social Welfare
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• v.58 no.1
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• pp.143-173
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• 2006

This study is about the verification of the effectiveness of 'Resilient Parenting Program' based on Walsh's family resilience approach. The program was developed for strengthening parenting self-efficacy and increasing parent satisfaction and family relation as well. The program was practiced once a week for 8 weeks at the B community service center and each session lasted for 2 hours. The participants of the program were 13 mothers of elementary schools who had a need to increase their parenting skills and satisfaction. Among the 13 participants, 7 of them were arranged to the experimental group and 6 of them were included to the control group. The scores of the two groups at the point of pre-test, post-test and follow-up test, 3 months after the termination of the program, were analysed and compared through the Wilcoxen matched pairs signed rank test and Mann-Whitney U test. The scales adapted in this study were the Parent Satisfaction Scale, the Parenting Self-efficacy Scale, and the Family Relation Scale. As the results of the analyses, there were significant differences of the increases in the area of parent-child relationship satisfaction, general parent satisfaction, parenting self-efficacy, and family relation between the two groups. In conclusion, the effectiveness and utilization of the program were confirmed. Also, it is verified that the program can be an important tool for strengthening healthy family functioning through the interventions of parents in the field of community based social work practice.

• Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing
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• v.41 no.4
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• pp.444-450
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• 2011

Purpose: Mothers' postpartum depression is a worldwide health concern that produces compromising effects on their infants. This study was conducted to compare the infants' temperament and health problems according to the presence of maternal postpartum depression. Methods: Data were collected from May to October in 2009. The sample was 137 mothers at one month postpartum. The Edinburgh Postpartum Depression Scale (EPDS) was used to assess depressive symptoms. Results: At one month postpartum, 22.6% of mothers were classified as having postpartum depression. Infants of depressed mothers were more frequently classified as difficult temperament infants. They showed lower scores on the amenability, rhythmicity and persistency and higher scores on activity in temperament. Also, infants of depressed mothers reported more infant health problems at one months. Maternal depression showed significant negative correlations with family functioning, social support and marital satisfaction. Conclusion: Study findings show that postpartum maternal depression is associated with infants' temperament and health, and thus screening and early interventions for postpartum depression would promote the health of both the mother and infant.

• Journal of Korean Biological Nursing Science
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• v.17 no.4
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• pp.306-314
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• 2015

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to evaluate symptoms, depression and quality of life in colorectal cancer patients who underwent stoma reversal, and to assess the factors related to their quality of life. Methods: A descriptive study was conducted on 125 colorectal cancer patients who underwent stoma reversal in a tertiary hospital in Korea. Data were collected using the Korean versions of the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer-Quality of Life Core 30 and Colorectal Cancer Specific Questionnaire 38 (EORTC QLQ-C30 and CR38), and the Hospital Anxiety-Depression Scale. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, t-test, one-way ANOVA, Pearson's correlation, and multiple regression analyses. Results: Participants experienced sexual problems, difficulties in defecation, and nausea/vomiting. About twenty-two percent of the patients were depressed and the mean score for global quality of life was $64.40{\pm}19.43$. The multiple regression showed that social and cognitive functioning, depression, and the location of the anastomosis were the important factors that made contributions to the quality of life in colorectal patients with stoma reversal. Conclusion: Our results suggest that symptom management and emotional support should be incorporated into nursing interventions to improve the quality of life in colorectal patients with stoma reversal.

• Journal of Korean Academy of Fundamentals of Nursing
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• v.10 no.3
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• pp.276-282
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• 2003

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate smoking history and quality of life in the patients with coronary artery disease (CAD). Method: Data were collected from 157 men who quit smoking or attempted to quit smoking. Quality of life was measured with the SCQoL(smoking cessation quality of life) scale which was developed by Olufade et al. (19?19), and includes 5 factors; social interactions, cognitive functioning, self control, anxiety, and sleep. Result: The patients usually smoking in their twenties (61.8%), continued to smoke for over 30 years (70.7%), and smoked 20-29 cigarettes a day (50.3%). The total mean scores for the SCQoL was $50.48{\pm}7.11$. Of the 5 factors, self control had the highest mean score ($17.00{\pm}3.79$). Patients who began smoking in their twenties had a higher SCQoL. However, there were no significantly differences in the SCQoL according to duration of smoking or amount of smoking per day. Conclusion: Age when smoking is begun is an important variable to explain SCQoL in patients with CAD. But, further study is needed to identify the influence of other variables such as duration and amount of smoking.

• Journal of Korean Society of Forest Science
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• v.84 no.4
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• pp.525-535
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• 1995

The western-style industrial forest management practice involving large scale clearcutting, silviculture with industrially desirable species, and inadequate consideration on ecosystem preservation, has faced severe criticisms from environmentalists, ecologists and conservationists. With an increasing concern about environmental degradation the general public has also been becoming vocal in demanding ecologically sound alternative forest management. An age-old practice of sustainable ecosystem management variously defined as community forestry, social forestry or homestead forestry, has received increased attention in recent days. This type of traditional, and often not very organized method of natural resource management has been practised in many countries from the prehistoric times. It is believed that with a clear understanding of the functioning of ecosystem and community needs, the existing landuse method can be developed into a more productive one. The nature of community forestry management will vary depending on the scale, geographical location, social/community structure and expectations. This article argues that although the rate of economic growth may be lower with community forestry than with industrial forestry, the former fosters the principle of ecosystem sustainability. Industrial forestry may have an initial high growth rate but often it is associated with unsustainable harvesting leading to ecosystem degradation. A review of the traditional methods of economic analyses shows that they do not take into account the many social and environmental costs associated with forestry. It is argued that a well managed community forestry can maintain the critical balance between economic and ecosystem sustainability. An integrated model of community/homestead forestry development is proposed by coordinating the extension services of the departments of agriculture, forestry and environment.

• Korean Journal of Culture and Social Issue
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• v.30 no.2
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• pp.159-192
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• 2024

The purpose of this study is to validate the Reactive-Proactive Aggression Questionnaire (RPQ), a tool for measuring reactive-proactive aggression, in the context of South Korea. A thorough translation was conducted in collaboration with the original author. An exploratory factor analysis (EFA), exploratory structural equation modeling (ESEM), rating scale model (Rasch), differential item functioning (DIF), and convergent validity were performed on a sample of 510 South Korean individuals. The results revealed a two-factor structure of reactive and proactive aggression after removing one item showing dual loading. Rating scale analysis based on the Rasch model indicated the appropriateness of the 3-point Likert scale, with all items meeting fit criteria. Although the separation index and separation reliability of proactive aggression was marginally lower, the overall discrimination between participants and items was satisfactory. Examination of participant-item distribution indicated a suitable alignment between reactive aggression and participant ability levels, whereas proactive aggression exhibited slightly elevated item difficulty. Furthermore, three items were found to function differently based on gender. A moderate but statistically significant positive correlation was found between the Barratt Impulsiveness Scale-11-R (Korean version) and RPQ from the results of the convergent validity evaluation. Overall, this study employed rigorous statistical methods to validate the suitability of the RPQ for use in Korea, taking cultural nuances into account, and introduced the concepts of reactive and proactive aggression to the Korean general population.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• v.30 no.3
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• pp.192-196
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• 2017

Background: This study was planned to investigate the relationship between musculoskeletal problems, depression, and quality of life in students preparing for university entrance exams. Methods: A total of 180 students were included in the study, 104 were female (57.77%), and 76 were male (42.22%). Students were reached through the cram schools ("dershane") in Denizli. Musculoskeletal system problems, depression status, and quality of life were determined with the Musculoskeletal-Postural Discomfort Scale (MDS), Boratav Depression Screen Scale (Bordepta), and Short Form-36 (SF-36), respectively. Demographic data, daily study, and sleep duration were also recorded. Results: Students have moderate musculoskeletal discomfort. Musculoskeletal disorders and depressive symptoms are more observed in female students than male students (P = 0.000). The SF-36 results were significantly negatively correlated with the MDS and Bordepta scores. A significant positive correlation was found between musculoskeletal disorders and depression status (r = 0.351, P = 0.000). Sleep duration was negatively correlated with the MDS and Bordepta (r = -0.209, P = 0.005; r = -0.148, P = 0.047, respectively) and positively correlated with the SF-36 role limitation/emotional and social functioning subscales (r = 0.225, P = 0.002 and r = 0.191, P = 0.010 respectively). Conclusions: Musculoskeletal problems and depression status negatively affects general health status especially in female students who are preparing for university entrance examinations. Students should be informed about musculoskeletal problems by healthcare professionals and the study room, tables, and chairs should be arranged ergonomically. Further studies might be determined that why musculoskeletal disorders and depression status are more widely among female students.

• Women's Health Nursing
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• v.17 no.5
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• pp.463-473
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• 2011

Purpose: Cervical cancer can be prevented by regular cervical screening. Embarrassment has been reported as one important barrier to cervical screening uptake. The absence of appropriate instrumentation, however, has limited our understanding of the links between embarrassment and health care outcomes. The purpose of this study was to evaluate psychometric attributes of the uterine cervical cancer screening embarrassment questionnaire. Methods: A convenience sample for field study was recruited from four gynecological clinics in Gyeongju, Korea. Within a cross-sectional descriptive design, 339 women who had cervical screening completed self-administered measures of embarrassment including a visual analogue, general medical embarrassment, dispositional embarrassment, and Pap smear related negative emotion. Results: Rasch analysis of items demonstrated the evidence of one-dimensional construct and good 7-point rating scales functioning. Factor analysis revealed that uterine cervical cancer screening embarrassment was comprised of two domains-bodily manifestations and perceiving an undesirable social face. Construct validity was demonstrated by a high subscale-to-subscale correlation. Convergent and discriminant validity was evidenced by significant correlations with a 100 mm VAS scale, general medical embarrassment, and Pap smear related negative emotion. Known-group validity was established by comparing women with high versus low trait embarrassment. Both two sub-scales and overall scale demonstrated good internal reliability. Conclusion: The Uterine uterine cervical cancer screening questionnaire is a reliable and valid instrument suited to assessing the manifestations of embarrassment during screening. The use of instrument can be extended to understand the client's embarrassment undergoing health examinations which require the exposure of their private parts.