PURPOSE
The purpose of the study was to investigate the meaning of the life of middle-aged women. METHOD: The research method employed Q-methodology. Thirty-one participants rated 30 selected Q-statements on a scale of 1~7. The collected data were analyzed using PC-QUNAL software. RESULT: Principal component analysis identified 4 types of the meaning of the life of middle-aged women. The categories were labeled 'May I help you?', 'Alone', 'Who am I ?', 'No regret'. CONCLUSION: We have found meaning of life of middle-aged women through this research. The study result could be data to perform effective nursing intervention for positive life of middle-aged women.

PURPOSE
To identify perceived importance and performance frequency of nursing interventions with nursing activities of 5 nursing interventions from the physiological domains of NIC used in the home health care nursing. METHOD: Five nursing interventions in the physiological domain of NIC were selected based on the previous finding. Data were collected from 85 nurses working in 54 home health care centers between August and October, 2004 using mailing survey(return rates : 41.5%). The questionnaire consisted of 96 nursing activities in 5 interventions with definitions, asking perceived importance and performance frequency of them. RESULT: Skin surveillance was perceived as the most important(3.52+/-0.36) intervention and also performed most frequently(4.43+/-0.45). All the nursing activities in skin surveillance appeared to be used frequently, which was rated over 4 out of 5 point Likert, while only 4 nursing activities in exercise therapy: joint mobility did. Correlations between perceived importance and performance frequency of 5 interventions were all significant (r=0.591-0.718, p=0.000). CONCLUSION: Identifying the use of particular interventions and nursing activities will help nurses simplify documentations and to deliver better care to the patients in home health care nursing.

PURPOSE
The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of family function, self-esteem, and loneliness on subjective health status in middle-aged women. METHODS: A five-item family APGAR was used to measure family function. Self-esteem was measured by the Rosenberg's Self-esteem scale, and the level of loneliness was measured using RULS. One-item was used to investigate subjective health status. RESULT: In this study, the level of family function was moderate. The mean score of self-esteem was 29.06, and subjects revealed moderate loneliness. Subjects rated their health status as 'fair'. There were differences in subjective health status according to education and economic status. Through multiple regression, it was found that self-esteem was a variable predicting subjective health status in middle-aged women. CONCLUSION: Facilitating self-esteem of the middle-aged women can be one of the important nursing interventions in maintaining subjective health status as good.

This study was conducted to develop and evaluate guidelines for cancer patients' symptoms management such as nausea/vomiting, fatigue, constipation, diarrhea, and oral mucositis. Based on the literature review, assessment path to identify each stage of five symptoms were also developed. Guidelines for symptom management of each stage of the symptoms were developed. Guidelines then were evaluated by a panel of experts. Finally, 95 cancer patients were recruited and asked to use the guidelines for their symptom management Levels of understanding of and satisfaction with assessment path and management guidelines were surveyed. Prevalence rate of five symptoms varied ranging from 20% (diarrhea) to 47% (nausea/vomiting). Regarding the level of understanding of each symptom most of the cancer patients indicated that they were easy and sufficient. Regarding the easiness of use of the symptom management guidelines, most of cancer patients indicated that they were easy to use. Regarding the nursing intervention on each symptom, most of cancer patients indicated that they were easy and helpful. More information was added with feedback from the patients. The result of this study has implications on development of customized patient education materials based on assessment path and symptom management guidelines.

PURPOSE
The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of 8 weeks smoking cessation program(SCP) developed by researchers. METHOD: One group pretest-posttest design was used in this study. The subjects were 88 male university students who consented to participate in the 8 weeks SCP. The SCP in this study consisted of a stop-smoking class, e-mail, SMS(short message service), cellular phone, internet cafe, displayed panel, and patch or acupuncture for quitting smoking. Korean version of questionnaire for nicotine dependency by Ahn et al.(2002), the smoking self-efficacy scale translated by Choi(1999) and subjects' opinion about the SCP were measured. The data were analyzed by using frequency, Chi-Square test, paired t-test and repeated measures ANOVA with SPSS WIN 10.1 Program. RESULTS: 1) The rate of quitting smoking was 31.8% after 8 weeks SCP. 2) There was no significant decrease in the nicotine dependency score among smoking subjects after SCP. 3) There was a significant increase in self-efficacy after SCP. The mean score of self -efficacy in the quitting smoking group increased significantly, but did not significantly change in the smoking group. 4) The stop-smoking class was the most helpful among contents of the SCP. Contents of the SCP except for internet cafe were useful for quitting smoking in this study. CONCLUSION: The above results indicated that the 8 weeks SCP would be a helpful intervention to quit smoking for male university students.

PURPOSE
The purposes of this study were to explore the concept of uncertainty and to examine the relationships among uncertainty, appraisal of uncertainty, depression, anxiety, and perceived health status in patients with atrial fibrillation. METHOD: The study utilized a descriptive correlational survey design using a face to face interview method. A convenience sample of 49 subjects were recruited from K university hospital over 8 months. The data were analyzed by t-test, ANOVA, Pearson correlation and partial correlation analysis. RESULTS: 1) Subjects perceived with moderately high uncertainty(M=65.98); moderate physical health(M=39.80), mental health(M=47.38), and general health(M=2.94); moderate anxiety(M= 44.78); and slightly low depression(M=15.33). 2) There were significant differences in uncertainty by gender and education. 3) Uncertainty and danger appraisal were significantly correlated(r=.32, p=.03) while the uncertainty was not associated with opportunity appraisal. 4) Uncertainty was significantly correlated with mental health(r=-.31, p=.04), anxiety(r=.38, p=.01), and depression(r=37, p=.01). CONCLUSION: This study was the first trial to explore uncertainty and to examine the relationships among its associated factors in Korean patients with atrial fibrillation. Thus, based on the findings of this study, directions for nursing practice and further nursing research for patients with atrial fibrillation were suggested.

PURPOSE
The purpose of this study is to examine the relationship among body image, depression and sexual function in Korean postmenopausal women. METHODS: Subjects were 96 postmenopausal women who have lived in Korea. Data was collected using Semantic Differential scale, CES-D, and FSFI. RESULTS: The level of body image was positive, depression was mild, and sexual function was moderate. There were no significant correlation between depression and sexual function. The subjects who had more positive body image experienced higher sexual function and less depressed mood. CONCLUSION: These findings showed the need for a knowledge development program for nurses regarding women's sexual function. Also, nurses must do counseling with sexual partner's and consider patients' body image when counseling those who complain of sexual dysfunction

PURPOSE
The purpose of this study is to examine the factors influencing symptom experience in patients with liver cirrhosis(LC). METHOD: A descriptive correlational study design was used. A convenience sample of 129 subjects was recruited from the gastroenterology department at two university hospitals in Seoul, Korea. Symptom experience in LC was measured with the instrument developed by the researcher based on Theory of Unpleasant Symptoms(Lenz et al, 1995) and the Child-Pugh Score, the Korean version of Profile of Mood States, and the Family Support Questionnaire were used to identify the factors influencing symptom experience. RESULTS: The mean score of symptom experience was relatively low(M=41.67, SD= 24.71). Among individual symptoms, fatigue had the highest score in all dimensions. Fatigue, abdominal distension and/or peripheral edema, muscle cramps, dry mouth, and change in appearance were explored as symptoms needing management. In the regression analysis, symptom experience was found to be influenced significantly by anxiety/depression(R2=.418, p=.000) and the severity of LC(Child-Pugh Score)(R2=.125, p=.000). These variables explained 54.3% of the variance in symptom experience(F=63.607. p=.000). CONCLUSION: It suggests that nurses need to take into consideration psychological factor as well as physiological factor in symptom management for patients with LC.

PURPOSE
The purpose of the study was to investigate change of life in middle-aged men. METHOD: The research method employed Q-methodology. twenty-five participants rated 39 selected Q-statements on a scale of 1~9. The collected data were analyzed using pc- QUNAL software. RESULT: Principal component analysis identified 3 types of change of life in middle-aged men. The categories were labeled 'Mature-oriented', 'Effeminate-oriented', 'Juvenescence-oriented'. CONCLUSION: We have found change of life in middle-aged men through this research. To setup and apply differences based on this result is needed.

PURPOSE
The purpose of this study was to determine handwashing-related factors in nurses. Specific purposes of this study were to examine 1) the applicability of the hypothetical model constructed for this study, on the basis of Theory of Planned Behavior(TPB), and 2) relationships between handwashing practice and other variables such as age, career, level of education, and level of recognition about handwashing. METHOD: Data were collected from 187 nurses in one university hospital in Kyung-Ki province. RESULT: The hypothetical model based on TPB was revealed applicable, but the degree of the variance explaining handwashing practice was small(26%). Perceived behavioral control(PBC) was the most strong variable explaining handwashing practice, and intention didn't have a significant effect on handwashing practice. Norm and PBC had significant effects on intention, but attitude was not a significant factor of intention. Age, career, and the level of awareness of handwashing practice were significantly related to handwashing practice. CONCLUSION: The result of this study suggests that we should focus on perceived behavioral control, awareness of handwashing practice and subjective norm about handwashing practice to increase the level of nurses' handwashing practice.

PURPOSE
The study is to investigate the effects of tea tree oil gargling on oral cavity micro-organism growth and on the perceived discomfort of patients receiving chemotherapy. METHODS: A nonequivalent control group non-synchronized design was used to determine the effects of tea tree oil gargling on oral cavity for 20 second after using it for one week, twice a day. The sample consisted of two groups of patients receiving chemotherapy : 19 patients in experimental and 20 patients in control group. The instruments used in the study were Oral Assessment Guide(OAG), a measure of perceived symptoms on oral cavity, and a test of oral mucosal micro-organism culture. The data were analyzed using chi-square test, repeated measure of ANOVA, and Pearson correlation coefficient. RESULTS: There was no significant difference between the two groups in micro-organism culture test of oral mucosa. The experimental group showed a lower number and fewer kinds of micro-organisms than the control group. CONCLUSION: It is considered that use of tea tree oil is effective in infection control of the oral cavity.

PURPOSE
The purpose of the study is to investigate the correlation between burden, health status and well-being in spouse caregivers of patients with stroke. METHOD: The subjects of this study were 160 spouse caregivers registered at general hospital in Seoul and Seongnam. The data were collected from July 2th to October 30th, 2003. The Suh & Oh's burden scale, Yang's health status scale and Park's well-being scale were employed to measure burden, health status and wellbeing respectively. Collected data were analyzed using SPSS 12 version to obtain summary statistics for the descriptive analysis, Pearson Correlation, and Stepwise Multiple Regression. RESULTS: 1. The mean score of the degree of burden, health status and well-being were 3.52, 5.92 and 3.64 points. 2. The burden of the subjects were significantly negative correlated with psycho- logical health status(r=-.482. p<.01) and wellbeing(r=-.455, p<.01). 3. With the result of stepwise multiple regression, psychological health status and wellbeing were the main variables which could explain burden by 27.1%. CONCLUSION: The findings of this study will provide practical guidelines for developing emotional nursing interventions for the spouses taking care of CVA patients who would experience a heavy burden and distress.

PURPOSE
The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of a comprehensive rehabilitation program on grip strength, pinch strength, the shoulder joint function, flexibility, and fatigue in mastectomy patients. METHOD: The subjects were fifty-five women with breast cancer (27 in the control group and 28 in the experimental group). The subjects in the experimental group participated in a comprehensive rehabilitation program for 10 weeks, which was composed of education, stress management, exercise, and peer support group activity. RESULTS: The results revealed that the increase in grip strength, key pinch, the shoulder joint function, and flexibility (Back & Reach test, Standing & Bending reach test) of the operated extremity, and the decrease in fatigue were significantly higher in the experimental group than in the control group. However, the results revealed that tip strength and palmar pinch of the experimental group increased but there was no significant difference from that of the control group. CONCLUSIONS: The 10-week comprehensive rehabilitation program showed much affirmative effect on physical function, and fatigue of breast cancer patients after mastectomy.

PURPOSE
The purpose of the study is to investigate the degree of fatigue and its related factors in patients with breast cancer. METHOD: The subjects of this study consisted of 62 breast cancer patients receiving chemotherapy. The Revised Piper Fatigue Scale, Disruption of Usual Activity Scale, Linear Analogue Self Assessment Scale and Self-Care Diary Scale were employed to measure fatigue, disruption of usual activity, mood state and physical symptom respectively. Collected data were analyzed using SPSS-PC to obtain summary statistics for the descriptive analysis, Pearson Correlation, and Stepwise Multiple Regression. RESULT: The results are as follows. 1. The mean score of the degree of fatigue was 4.82 points indicating moderate level. 2. The mean score of the degree of disruption of usual activity, mood state and physical symptom were 2.66, 5.00, and 4.69 points. 3. Fatigue of the subjects was significantly correlated with disruption of usual activity(r=.517, p<.01), mood state(r=.420, p<.01) and physical symptom(r=.463, p<.01). 4. With the result of stepwise multiple regression, disruption of usual activity, mood state and physical symptom being the three variables which could explain fatigue by 39.1%. The results of this study suggest that comprehensive intervention strategy for fatigue should be developed to maintain quality of life during and following chemotherapy considering these factors.

PURPOSE
This is for analyzing the recent citations from papers enrolled in the Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing and understanding correct marking of references. METHOD: Targeted 2,334 references in 93 articles introduced from Feb. 2002 to Dec. 2002 which are applied current contribution rules of the Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing. RESULT: 1. 25 references are quoted per article and particularly foreign journals are most frequently quoted. Among foreign journals, Nursing Research is most frequently used. The Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing is also mostly referred material among national journals. 2. The retrieval rate is prove to be 1,539(83.8%) and 267(11.7%) are without errors and the other 2,022 have at least more than one error regardless of frequency. 3. Major error rate of periodical publication is 484(36.8%) and most occurred in the inconsistency of titles between articles and references. 4. Foreign journals have much more errors than national ones concerning periodical publications. CONCLUSION: Correct citation and marking of references can be achieved through strict reviewing process by authors, editors, publishers and paper investigators. In consequence, it is expected that these processes can cause improvement of quality in impact factor and papers.