• Anxiety and mood
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• v.5 no.2
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• pp.103-111
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• 2009

Objectives : We examined quality of life, psychosocial adjustments to illness, changes in sexual functioning, and prevalence of psychiatric disorders in AIDS patients compared to patients with chronic hepatitis B virus infection (CHB). Methods : Thirty-one men with AIDS and 50 men with CHB were enrolled. The Short-Form 12-Item Health Survey (SF-12), the Psychosocial Adjustment to Illness Scale (PAIS), and the Changes in Sexual Functioning Questionnaire short form (CSFQ-14) were administered. Results on these assessments were compared between the 31 AIDS patients and 50 CHB patients. The Structured Clinical Interview for DSMIV (SCID) was administered to determine the psychiatric diagnosis only for the AIDS patients. Results : The Physical Component Summary score (PCS) was lower in AIDS patients than in CHB patients (p<0.001). In the section examining sexual relationships, AIDS patients exhibited a lower level of adjustment (p<0.05) and had more changes in sexual function (p<0.05) than did CHB patients. Administration of the SCID to AIDS patients indicated that the lifetime prevalence of any psychiatric disorder was 56.7% ; 43.3% for mood disorders, 33.3% for alcohol use disorders, 26.7% for anxiety disorders, and 20% for adjustment disorder. Patients who had experienced any psychiatric disorder had more severe psychosocial distress (p=0.004) and evidenced a lower level of overall psychosocial adjustment (p=0.030) than patients who had not. Conclusion : We showed that AIDS patients have a high prevalence of psychiatric disorders, and that AIDS patients with psychiatric disorders were particularly low in levels of psychosocial adjustment. Thus, careful attention should be given to psychiatric aspects of AIDS patients emphasizing the early diagnosis and treatment of psychiatric disorders.

• The Korean Journal of Community Living Science
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• v.26 no.2
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• pp.313-334
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• 2015

This study examines cultural differneces in psychosocial maturity experiences between collectivistic and individualistic cultures. Personal, relational, and social dimensions were assessed to explore psychosocial maturity experience of elderly Korean residents in Korea and Canada who were psychosocially well developed through in-depth interviews and a content analysis. According to the results, there were diverse similarities and differences in the psychosocial maturity of elderly Korean residents between the two cultures. First, psychosocially mature elderly residents in both cultures showed positive self-concept and self-satisfaction. However, there were differences in their meaning. Second, in terms of interpersonal relations, the most important and satisfying relationship was the spousal relationship for both cultures, and relationships with children were satisfying. However, there were differences in the meaning of relationships between the two cultures as well as gender differences. Third, psychosocially mature elderly residents in both cultures reported psychosocial factors such as mature aging as a social dimension. Elderly residents in Korea regarded mature aging as a relationship oriented phenomenon, whereas those in Canada reported social attitudes toward mature aging. In addition, elderly residents in both cultures reported greed and harm to others as immature aging. Elderly residents in Korea regarded relational discord as immature aging, whereas those in Canada regarded it as demanding adult treatment from future generation. In terms of transcendence, adjustment was reported as living by going with the flow. Elderly residents in Korea reported adjustment based on fatalism, whereas those in Canada showed some religious meaning. Finally, psychosocially mature elderly residents showed a positive view, acceptance and life integration. These results are discussed from the perspective of cultural differences.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.57 no.6
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• pp.257-263
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• 2014

The incidence of people living with congenital heart disease (CHD) has been increasing every year owing to remarkable advances in surgical and catheter intervention techniques and devices, and improved knowledge of critical care for patients with CHD. However, these patients continue to face physical, psychosocial, and environmental challenges, and a number of studies have shown higher rates of depression and anxiety disorders than the general population. To improve psychosocial functioning and quality of life for adults with CHD, health care providers are recommended to inform CHD patients of an accurate diagnosis, and overall treatment process, beginning in adolescence to facilitate a smooth transition from adolescence to adulthood. Active cooperation with psychiatrists, psychologists, social workers, chaplains, and family members is highly recommended to help CHD patients feel normal and optimistic and to promote good social interactions, close family relationships, and a strong sense of coherence.

• Journal of Korean Critical Care Nursing
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• v.2 no.1
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• pp.69-80
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• 2009

Purpose: The purpose of this preliminary study was to describe the physical and psychosocial distress of critically ill patients undergoing noninvasive ventilation(NIV). Method: Open-ended question interviews were conducted with four patients using NIV. Considering the outcomes of the interviews, literature, and experts'opinions, a survey questionnaire was developed. Twenty patients in medical and surgical intensive care units answered the questions. Results: Through open-ended question interviews and survey, the patients using NIV reported feeling heavy, impotent feeling, pain, loss in feeling, loss in communication, and lack of sleep as physical distress and a loss in sense of time, pain, anxiety, mind of desiring to die, worry about family, and a sense of burden for medical-cure expenses as psychosocial distress. Conclusion: Critically ill patients undergoing NIV experience physical and psychosocial distress to artificial respiratory ventilation treatment. Further research should be performed with a large sample for generalization of the study result.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.54 no.2
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• pp.45-50
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• 2011

Compared to that in the Caucasian population, type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) incidence rates are very low in Koreans. Therefore, compared to the recent development of pharmacological therapy applicable to Korean children with T1DM, interest in nonpharmacological therapy and psychosocial support systems remains low, as is the development of Korean-style T1DM education programs for therapeutic application. Children who have been newly diagnosed with diabetes are placed in completely new environments for treatment. For appropriate control of diabetes, patients have to self-monitor blood glucose levels and inject insulin several times a day and must use extreme self-control when they eat foods to avoid increases in blood glucose levels. Blood glucose excursions resulting from impaired pancreatic ${\beta}$ cell functions cause mental stress due to vague fears of chronic complications of diabetes. In addition, children with diabetes cannot be excluded from the substantial amount of studies required of Korean adolescents, and the absolute shortage of time for ideal control of diabetes adds to their mental stress. Many of these patients are psychologically isolated in school where they spend most of their time, and they are not appropriately considered or supported with respect to blood glucose control in many cases. In this respect, this author will introduce some of the newest views on nonpharmacological therapy and psychosocial support systems that account for important parts of T1DM management and seek measures to apply them in conformity with the social characteristics of Korea.

• Korean Journal of Occupational Health Nursing
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• v.30 no.4
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• pp.224-231
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• 2021

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to identify the psychosocial working environment and mental health of financial workers, and analyze the impact of the former on the latter. Methods: Data of 257 financial clerks were extracted from the 2017 5th Korean Working Conditions Survey. Psychosocial working environment was divided into five fields: demands at work, work organizations, interpersonal relations, workplace violence, and working hour quality. Mental health included sleeping problems, psychological well-being, and job stress. Results: A total of 6.1% subjects reported sleep problems, 28.2% experienced poor psychological well-being, and 39.6% had job stress. More than half the subjects were exposed to tight deadlines, complex tasks, hiding feelings at work, fair treatment, fair distribution of work, colleagues' support, and managers' support. Tight deadlines, workplace violence, long working hours, hiding feelings at work, and managers' support had a significant impact on the mental health of financial clerks. Conclusion: Based on the results of this study, we propose that employers, workers, and health managers in the financial industry should work together to establish a respectful organizational culture, prevent long working hours through recruitment, and conduct programs to protect emotional health.

• Korean Journal of Psychosomatic Medicine
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• v.8 no.2
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• pp.149-164
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• 2000

Somatization is regarded as a process rather than a diagnostic entity. It should be emphasized to identify psychopathology rather than to make a choice regarding diagnosis in assessing somatizing patients. Psychiatrists should be aware of the psychosocial cues underlying the patients' physical symptoms. Special skills and strategies are required by nonpsychiatric physicians to facilitate the patients' acceptance of psychiatric treatment. The goal of treatment for somatization is management but not cure. The approach should be flexible, depending on the patients' responses and need. The difficulty in diagnosing and treating somatization is likely to be related to abnormal illness behavior such as the patients' denial of their psychosocial problems and resistance to psychiatric approach. In conclusion, biopsychosocial approach is needed to treat these patients effectively. Psychiatrists should also teach other physicians the interview skill that they could identify these patients as early as possible and facilitate their acceptance of psychiatric treatment.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.16 no.3
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• pp.1225-1233
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• 2015

This study aims to clarify the psychosocial reactions of female patients with gynecological cancer undergoing chemotherapy and in the process of suffering from alopecia and to examine their nursing support. The target group comprised female patients who had received two or more cycles of chemotherapy, were suffering from alopecia, and were aged 30-65. Data were collected from semi-structured interviews, conducted from the time the patients were informed by their doctors that they might experience alopecia due to chemotherapy to the time they actually experienced alopecia and until they were able to accept the change. Inductive qualitative analysis was employed to close in on the subjective experiences of the cancer patients. The results showed the existence of six phases in the psychosocial reactions in the process of alopecia: phase one was the reaction after the doctor's explanation; phase two was the reaction when the hair starts to fall out; phase three was the reaction when the hair starts to intensely fall out; phase four was the reaction when the hair has completely fallen out; phase five was the reaction to behavior for coping with alopecia; and phase six was the reaction to change in interpersonal human relationships. The results also made it clear that there are five types of reaction patterns as follows: 1) treatment priority interpersonal relationship maintenance type; 2) alopecia agitated interpersonal relationship maintenance type; 3) alopecia agitated interpersonal relationship reduction type; 4) alopecia denial interpersonal relationship reduction type; and 5) alopecia denial treatment interruption type. It is important to find out which of the five types the patients belong to early during treatment and provide support so that nursing intervention that suits each individual can be practiced. The purpose of this study is to make clear the process in which patients receiving chemotherapy come to accept alopecia and to examine evidence-based nursing care on patients with strong mental distress from alopecia.

• Journal of Haehwa Medicine
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• v.13 no.1
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• pp.345-353
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• 2004

This study analyzed the contents of the research papers concerning the obesity from a psychiatrical point of view. As a result, the following conclusion was drawn. 1. In obese people, negative emotions, especially depression were frequently reported. 2. Negative feelings, especially anger, anxiety, depression, induce binge eating and can lead to obesity. 3. Depression was related to the wrong body image more than to the body mass index. 4. Wrong body image affects eating attitudes, which may cause eating disorders. 5. To treat obesity or eating disorders, we must use psychosocial treatment, for example, supportive, cognitive or behavior therapy.

• Journal of radiological science and technology
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• v.27 no.3
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• pp.59-69
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• 2004

By studying on the characteristics of cancer patients who receive radiotherapy and the attitudes of medical social workers, this thesis aims to suggest of requirements for medical social work intervention. The study was conducted using SPSS 10.0 for Windows to analyze data taken from a survey involving 90 cancer patients receiving radiotherapy in 4 general hospitals in Daejeon city. The data were collected form Oct. 1st to 15th, 2003, and its analyses used averages, correlation, and regression. The results were summarized as follows ; 1. The average family income in 67.8% of the cases was less than 2,000,000 won, which is a lower income bracket. In the disease characteristics, fatigue ware the highest (2.78) in the side effects of radiotherapy, which most patients were receiving alongside other forms of treatment. 2. It was shown that cancer patients receiving radiotherapy receive a high level of psychological and social support from doctors and other medical staffs, and that they also received a high average (4.38) of individual care and encouragement from family members. 3. In the psychosocial status, the need for financial assistance in the form of a national aid program or an expansion of medical insurance was great, especially in the need for house keeping service and night nurses. The need for psychosocial counselling rose following rises in treatment side effects and depression. Information for cancer patients was especially needed in the areas of treatment plans, treatment costs, and side effects of radiotherapy. The need for information rose in accordance with an elongation of hospital treatment and an escalation of care from family members.