PURPOSE
The aims of this study were to develope a structural model of health insensitivity and to verify the model of health insensitivity. METHOD: There were three theoretical variables in the hypothetical model. The endogenous variable was health insensitivity which is a concept including bluntness of health risk perception and unhealthy behavior. The exogenous variables were composed of personal factors and socio-cultural factors. In personal factors, neuroticism, external health locus of control, blunting style of information-seeking, deficit of self-efficacy, knowledge deficit related to health, health-related experience, age and education were included. Whereas socio-cultural factors include perceived group size of unhealthy behavior and stereotypes of unhealthy behavior. RESULT: Personal factors and sociocultural factors were significant in explanation of the health insensitivity. Relationship between personal factors and sociocultural factors was significant, too. However, the optimistic bias as part of health insensitivity was not supported by these data. GFI, AGFI and PGFI were .95, .92, .65, respectively. Therefore, this model was verified to be a good fit to the data and parsimonious. CONCLUSION: Nursing to change unhealthy behavior has focused on personal factors rather than sociocultural factors. Based on this result, however, the sociocultural factors should be considered as well.

PURPOSE
This study is a descriptive research study to develop the Nurse's Humor Questionnaire, and then analyze humor's appreciation and use by Korean nurses. METHOD: The three stages used to develop the questionnaire were to make a conceptual framework, make an open questionnaire through the 2nd preliminary inquiry, and make a structured questionnaire based on collected statements through the developed open questionnaire. The subjects that carried out completely a structured questionnaire were 337 nurses. RESULT: 1) The final developed questionnaire consists of 6 domains and 67 items. The reliability of 'When feeling humor's expression'( =0.7079), 'The barrier factors of humor's use'( =0.7895), and 'Humor's values'( =0.8336) was high. 2) The results related to Humor's values of nurses that showed significant differences were as follow: (1) age, marital status, and current position (2)a negative correlation between stress and humor's values (3) humor's sources: daily life and conversation (4) frequency of used humor (5) types of used humor: word humor, imitation, adequate situation and technical terms, and (6) when using humor's expression: tense atmosphere, awkward atmosphere and adequate situation. CONCLUSION: The developed tool can be used for understanding nurse's humor. This will help to develop the humor program as a nursing intervention for health promotion.

PURPOSE
The study was undertaken to examine the degree of nurse's suffering experience and to identify the influencing factors on nurses' suffering experience in Korea. METHOD: Data were collected using a questionnaire for 271 nurses working at 5 general hospitals in Daegu and Kyung-book province from Sep. 1, to Sep. 30, 2003. The questionnaire consists of 54 items, general characteristics(10) and nurse's suffering experience(44). All surveys were sorted and studied by frequency analysis, mean score, standard deviation, range, independent t-test, one way ANOVA, Pearson's correlation coefficient and Multiple regression. RESULT: The findings of this survey indicate 1) The degree of suffering experienced by nurses caring for terminal cancer patients was 2.96; 2) Demographic variables affecting the degree of nurses' suffering experience were age(F=5.62, p=.000), marital status(F=20.53, p=.000), religion(F=5.44, p=.020), career of clinical experience(F=6.96, p=.000), and feelings of end-life care(F=3.11, p=.016); 3) There were slight correlation between the subitem of nurse's suffering experience and general characteristics of subjects. For 'expanding self consciousness', age, career duration, and position; for 'forming empathy with family', age and career duration ; for 'spiritual sublimation', age, and career duration were affected variables. 4) As a result of the multiple regression analysis for predictable variables affecting nurses' suffering, it was found that 'career of clinical experience' was most significant(F=23.100, p=.000). The explanatory power of this regression formula was 17.6%. CONCLUSION: This study can provide the basic data useful towards improvement of nursing services for terminal cancer patients and the health of the nurse.

PURPOSE
The purpose of this study was to explore the effectiveness of informational intervention delivered by electronic patient information board in the OR waiting room for reduction of anxiety of mothers with child having operation. METHOD: Nonequivalent control group non-synchronized design was used in this study. The subjects was 52 mothers whose children underwent elective surgery in one Pediatric Hospital. Informational intervention in this study consisted of four critical stages. State anxiety by Spielberger, mean arterial pressure, and heart rates at preoperative and postoperative period were measured. The data were analyzed by using Chi-Square test and t-test with SPSS/PC 10.0 program. RESULTS: 1) There was a significant difference in the state anxiety between the control and the experimental groups. 2) There was no significant difference in the mean arterial pressure between the two groups. 3) There was no significant difference in the heart rate between the two groups. CONCLUSION: The results of this study indicate that informational intervention delivered by electronic patient information board would be an effective intervention during the operation in reducing anxiety of mothers with child having operation.

PURPOSE
The purpose of this study was to identify the frequency of urinary incontinence and lower urinary symptoms, to identify lifestyle and sexual matters for UI of adult women in an urban area. METHOD: The sample consisted of 364 educated women from a women's health education program in a public health center. For data collection, the Bristol Female Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms Questionnaire developed by Jackson, et. al.(1996) and the demographic questionnaire were used. For data analysis, SAS 8.2 program was used. RESULT: The results were as follows: 1. the prevalence rate of UI was 73.63%. 45.88% of them were stress incontinence and 27.75% of them were urge incontinence. 2. Remarkable differences were found between the type of UI and LUTS in the case of urgency(x2=42.0585, P<0.001), unexplained incontinence(x2=59.0585, P<0.001), noctural incontinence(x2=18.8080, P<0.001) and catetherization(x2=10.7207, P= 0.004), burning sense(x2=27.7400, P<0.001). 3. Remarkable differences were found between the type of UI and lifestyle matters in the cases as follows fluid intake restriction(x2=31.0532, P=0.008), interference in physical activity(x2= 36.7481, P=0.001), interference in relation with others(x2=22.2729, P=0.034). 4. Remarkable differences were found between the type of UI and sexual matters with difficulty of sexual intercourse(x2=16.1898, P=0.002), and urine leakage during sexual intercourse(x2=17.9752, P=0.001). CONCLUSION: Based on the results, developing and carrying out an adequate UI care and education program is needed.

PURPOSE
This study aims to analyze the effectiveness of Tai chi exercise for improving balance and its tendency and helps to identify directions for future research. METHOD: 19 articles from Medline search of foreign journals(1981-2003) and 5 from Korean nursing journals (1981-2003) were surveyed. The contents analyses were focused on outcome measures and relative factors regarding balance. RESULT: Variable measures for balance were used in Tai Chi studies relating to balance. They included the functional measures such as 14 single-leg stance, 7 walking in physiological measures and 7 laboratory-based balance measures were done with platform stability test. The measure of effective Tai Chi exercise depended on the health status of subjects and the methods. Health status of subjects were only on physically inactive older adults in 17 articles and arthritis patients in 7 articles in the Tai Chi study. The significant effects of Tai Chi exercise on balance was revealed after 10weeks duration. CONCLUSION: Considering the results, Tai Chi exercise is more effective than any other studies for walking balance. But the reports on the outcome are inconsistent with wide variations in the choice of balance measures. It is suggested that future studies analyze systemic change through meta analysis and have a wide variety of subjects who need postural control and balance control. The methods of measures should be distinct from the balance state of subjects for the effectiveness of Tai chi exercise.

PURPOSE
The study was performed to investigate the predictors associated transition with each stage of exercise behavior based to the Transtheoretical Model, and to provide basic data for exercise behavior programs for middle aged women.
Methods
The subjects consisted of 434 women residing in B city by convenience sampling. The collected data were analyzed with multiple logistic regression using SPSS/WIN program. RESULTS: The predictors of transition from precontemplation to contemplation were consciousness raising(OR=2.095, 95% CI: 1.305-3.363), Reinforcement management(OR= 1.903, 95% CI: 1.107-3.271), Stimulus control (OR=2.176, 95% CI:1.239-3.820), Menstrual status (OR=5.327, 95% CI: 1.110-25.562). The predictors of transition from contemplation to preparation were Helping relationship(OR= 1.671, 95% CI: 1.065-2.662), Pros(OR=2.500, 95% CI: 1.254-4.982), Perceived Health status (OR=.178, 95% CI: .041-.770). The predictor of transition from preparation to action was Stimulus control(OR=1.918, 95% CI: 1.103- 3.336). The predictors of transition from action to maintenance were Consciousness raising(OR= 1.939, 95% CI: 1.031-3.647), Dramatic relief (OR=2.249, 95% CI: 1.025-4.931). CONCLUSIONS: Adequate examination on the factors, which can predict the transitional stages of change exercise behaviors among middle aged women, which is presented in this study. The results of this study will become the pillar of exercise intervention program planning and application.

PURPOSE
This descriptive survey was conducted to investigate out the utilization of alternative complementary remedies for stroke patients. METHOD: The subject for this study were 194 patients, selected from inpatients department of 11 major medical center at Busan and Ulsan. Data were collected from August 19th to November 12th, 2002 through interview schedule designed by the investigator. Data was analyzed with frequency, percentage, and Chi-squared -test by using SPSS Win 10.0. RESULTS: 71.6% of objects has used alternative complementary remedies. The use of alternative complementary remedies according to disease-related features was statistically significant in concurrent diseases(Chi-squared=15.03, p=0.001), rehabilitation treatment(Chi-squared=6.341, p=0.012) and the level of ADL(Chi-squared=19.63, p=0.000). The most frequently used therapies were diet and nutrition(31.8%). The patients with less than 3month onset and in the mid-period of treatment frequently used remedies. The reason for using remedies were the belief in it's effects on treatment, but most patients responded was not effective(30.9%) or not much improvement after using remedies. Most of the patients were recommended to use remedies by their neighbors(27.3%) and family members(25.2%). The family members were most supportive in therapy(56.1%). The 28.1% of patients responded that the remedies were effective in promoting blood circulation and 95% of the patients had not experienced side effects. CONCLUSION: These results could be the basic material in developing nursing intervention for cerebral apoplexy patients.

PURPOSE
The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between perceived health state, personality, situational barrier, health promoting behavior, to provide the basic data for health promoting intervention. METHOD: This study was designed as a descriptive correlation study. Data were 396 undergraduate students of one university in Chung-Buk. The instruments for this study were the modified health promoting behavior scale developed by Bak, Insuk(1995), and the modified perceived health state scale developed by Im, Meeyoung (1998), the modified personality scale developed by Park, Youngbae(1998), the modified situational barrier scale developed by Im, Meeyoung(1998). RESULT: The results of this study showed that the mean score for perceived health state 2.72, personality 3.35, situational barrier 2.72 and health promoting behavior 2.67. The health promoting behavior categories, scores for 'sanitary life'(3.08), 'self-actualization and interrelationship'(2.93) were higher than the mean score, whereas scores for 'healthy diet'(2.64), 'rest and sleep'(2.62), 'exercise and stress management'(2.49), and 'diet management' (2.25) were lower than the mean score. This study revealed the negative correlation between perceived health state, personality, situational barrier and health promoting behavior in undergraduate students. CONCLUSION: Perceived health state accounted for 16% and personality accounted for 21.3% of the variance in health promoting behavior in students. Therefore, health promoting programs that increase health state and personality should be developed to promote health behavior and to diminish situational barrier for students in Korea.

PURPOSE
To investigate the effect of oral care either with normal saline or with tantum solution on the oral state of the patients in intensive care unit as well as the frequency of bacteria occurrence inside their oral cavities. METHOD: The study was performed from March thru May of 2003 on the nonequivalent control group non-synchronized quasi-experimental design. Forty subjects were selected for each group. The data were analyzed using the SPSS 10.0 Win. The pre-experimental homogeneity and post-experimental differences between the two groups were analyzed with t-test. RESULT: There was a significant difference in the oral cavity state between the experimental group that had used normal saline and the control group that had used tantum solution. CONCLUSION: Based on the results described above, it is considered that normal saline is more effective than the tantum solution for the oral care of the patients in intensive care unit.

PURPOSE
The purpose was to investigate the physiological parameter and physical health status and health perception in the elderly, and to find the correlation between these variables. The subjects were 139 in Kyungi senior center. METHOD: The instruments for this study were physiological parameters, which were composed of vital capacity, blood pressure, pulse oxygenation, hand grip power, body fat and physical health status scale developed by researcher, and health perception scale developed by Ware(1976). The data were analyzed by the SPSS-PC 11.0 version. RESULTS: 1) 7.9% of subjects were included in abnormal range of vital capacity, 40.3% were systolic hypertension and 11.5% were diastolic hypertension. And 92.1% were included in normal range of pulse oxygenation, 79.8% were weakened hand grip power, and 10.1% of subjects were included in normal range of body fat. 2) The total mean score of the physical health status was 26.34 of a possible maximum score of 45. The physical health status score of women was lower than man's. 3) The mean score of man's health perception was 24.52 and women's was 20.39 of a possible maximum score of 44. 4) There was a significant positive correlation between hand grip power and physical health status(r=.28, p=.001). And a significant correlation between physical health status and health perception was found (r=.24, p=.004). CONCLUSION: It is concluded that the blood pressure, hand grip power and body fat among the physiological parameters of elderly subjects in Kyungi senior center were included in abnormal range. The factors were related life style. therefore, it is suggested that the health education to change life style for the elderly is needed.

PURPOSE
The purpose of this study was to identify an influence of self-esteem and family- support on powerlessness of hospitalized elderly patients with chronic disease. METHOD: The subjects were 151 hospitalized elderly patients, age over 60, with chronic disease and admitted for at least 1 week. The data were collected by individual interview using a tructured questionnaire during the period from July 10th to August l0th, 2003 from three general hospitals in Busan. The data were analyzed by descriptive statistics, t-test, ANOVA, Pearson's correlation, hierarchical multiple regression. RESULT: The level of self-esteem, family support, and powerlessness was 38.00, 38.26, and 38.38, respectively. There was a significant positive correlation between self-esteem and family support and a negative correlation between self-esteem and powerlessness and between family support and powerlessness. Self-esteem and family support were each significant predictor of powerlessness. CONCLUSION: This study showed the hospitalized elderly patients need greater family-support and higher self-esteem to relieve the level of powerlessness. I suggest to study for replication in a larger sample size and considering the lengths of hospitalization for generalization of this study and to develop individual intervention programs for increasing family support and self esteem and testify their effects on the relief of powerlessness of the elderly.

PURPOSE
This study was to identify the effects of self-foot reflexology on urinary incontinence symptoms, vaginal contraction and daily life discomfort of middle-aged women. METHOD: A quasi-experimental design was used. The subject were 39 middle-aged women with urinary incontinence, who were composed of 18 women in the experimental group, while 21 were in the control group. In the experimental group, self-foot reflexology was applied for 30 minutes, three times a week for 4 weeks. The obtained data were analyzed by using the Mann-Whitney U test of SPSS. RESULT: 1. Frequency(U=78.00, P=.001), amount(U=65.00, p=.001) and the situation score(U=81.00, P=.002)of urinary incontinence were reduced significantly in the experimental group as compared to the control group. 2. Maximum pressure(U=33.50, p=.000), mean pressure(U=38.00 p=.000) of vaginal contraction were improved significantly in the experimental group as compared to the control group. 3. Daily life discomfort in the experimental group was reduced whereas that of the control group was increased(U=63.00, p=.000) significantly. CONCLUSION: These findings indicate that self-foot reflexology is an effective method for reducing urinary incontinence symptoms and daily life discomfort and for increasing pressure of vaginal contraction of middle-aged women. Therefore self-foot reflexology can be considered as a independent nursing intervention for urinary incontinence.

PURPOSE
The purpose of this study was 1) to classify the stage of adoption 2) to compare the decisional balance and confidence by stage of adoption 3) to identify factors influenced the stage of adoption for breast self exam. METHOD: A comparative study using a survey method with convenience sample of 143 women was used. Decisional balance and confidence was measured using the CHBMS-K. Stage of adoption for BSE was measured by a single item modified by the researchers based on the Rakowski et al (1992). RESULT: 1) The number of women in each stage of adoption for BSE was as follows; maintenance phase, 7.7% (n=11), action phase, 49.0% (n=70), contemplation phase, 35.0% (n=50) and pre- contemplation phase, 8.4%(n=12). 2) The mean difference in the decisional balance (F=4.32, p=.006) and confidence (F=13.85, p=.000) according to the stage of BSE adoption was statistically significant. 3) Prevention education and confidence accounted for 32% of variance in BSE. CONCLUSION: Assessment of decisional balance and stage of adoption for BSE can guide planning for cancer prevention education. We must educate women to have confidence in BSE. Further, it is important to urge women to continually practice BSE.

PURPOSE
The purpose of this study was to identity the relationships among self reported health behaviors, menopausal symptoms, and sexual satisfaction in middle-aged women. METHOD: The subjects of this study were 155 women from 40 to 60 years. The data was analyzed using SPSS program for frequency, percentage, mean, t-test, ANOVA, Duncan and Pearson's correlation coefficients. RESULTS: 1. The mean score of health behaviors was 3.10 out of maximum 4. 2. The mean score of self-reported menopausal symptoms was 1.73 out of maximum 2. 3. The mean score of sexual satisfaction was 2.73 out of maximum 4. 4. Women's degree of menopausal symptoms had negative correlations with the degree of health behaviors(r=-0.437, p<.001) and the degree of sexual satisfaction(r=-0.439, p<.001). The degree of health behaviors had a positive correlation with the degree of sexual satisfaction (r=0.470, p<.001). CONCLUSION: In conclusion, menopausal symptoms-based complaints by middle-aged women were negatively correlated to health behavior and sexual satisfaction. Therefore, health behavior should be considered when developing nursing strategies for middle- aged women, especially when dealing with menopausal symptoms and sexual satisfaction.