PURPOSE
This study examined the correlations among family support, morale, and quality of life in the elderly.
METHODS
Descriptive correlational study design was used. The subjects were 131 elderly people 65 and older who have lived in Seoul and other three cities. The data were analyzed with mean, SD, t-test, ANOVA, and pearson's correlation by using the SPSS 11.0 program.
RESULTS
First, the mean of family support was 3.71, morale 3.25, and quality of life 3.02 respectively. Second, the correlation between quality of life and family support was statistically significant(r=.264, p=.00), the correlation between quality of life and morale was also statistically significant(r=.484, p=.00), and the correlation between family support and morale was also statistically significant(r=.430, p=.00).
CONCLUSION
Family support for the elderly in the study was confirmed as the primary important concept which can positively maintain and promote the quality of their life. Also, the correlation between morale and family support was verified as significant. Further study is needed to develop a nursing intervention program for morale improvement with a network of family support with their children, ultimately for quality of life among the elderly.

PURPOSE
The purpose of this study was to identify the effect of a simulated disability program on attitude and stereotyping by nursing students toward people with disabilities.
METHODS
A total of 107 undergraduate nursing students attended and completed pre-and post-questionnaires on attitude and stereotyping. The experimental group participated in a simulation exercise program which was composed of wheel-chair mobility and vision modification in Nam-won Rehabilitation Center. The data were analyzed by the SPSS 12.0 program including frequency, percentage, chi-square test and t-test.
RESULTS
There was no significant difference in attitude toward people with disabilities between the two groups (t=-.743, p=.459). But there was a significant difference in stereotyping between the experimental and the control group(t=-4.097, p=.000).
CONCLUSION
As the result of this study, we can conclude that the program was effective to improve stereotyping toward people with disabilities.

PURPOSE
This study was conducted to evaluate life satisfaction(LS) and to assess the factors that influence LS in senior center elderly people.
METHODS
The subjects were 253 elders who visited the Y city Senior Welfare Center between July 2006 and August 2006. Data were collected using structured questionnaires. The instruments were composed of Kang's Family Support Scale, Depression Scale by Sheikh & Yesavage, Laffery's Health Concept Scale, and LS scale by Choi. T-test, ANOVA, Duncan test, Pearson coefficients correlation and stepwise multiple regression were used to analyze the data using the SPSS Win 12.0 program.
RESULTS
The LS level showed a maximum score of 38 with a mean score of 23.23. The mean scores for depression, health perception and family support were 5.52(maximum score, 15), 77.46(maximum score, 112), 43.45(maximum score, 55) respectively. The LS were significantly correlated with health perception, depression and family support. Depression was the most powerful predictor of and it accounted for 42.0% of the total variance in LS. A combination of significance of eudaimonistic health perception and satisfaction with pocket money accounted for 47.2% in LS.
CONCLUSION
Depression and health perception were identified as affecting variables for the LS. Based upon these results, nurses should help the aged to enhance their LS.

PURPOSE
The purpose of this study was to test a hypothetical model of health-related quality of life in patients with heart failure. The hypothetical model was derived from the Wilson and Cleary's model, the Rector's model, and published research findings.
METHODS
Data from 103 patients with heart failure were analyzed to determine the best multivariate health-related quality of life model given variables derived from the prior studies. The statistics programs SPSS 12.0 and LISREL 8.7 program were used for descriptive statistics and covariance structure analysis respectively.
RESULTS
The overall fitness of the path final model was good(GFI=.97, AGFI=.95, NNFI=1.06, NFI=.96, p=.96). Symptoms were directly affected by gender. HYHA Class was directly affected by only gender. Physical functioning limitation was directly affected by exercise. Health perception was directly affected by economics, symptom, and physical functioning limitation. Depression was directly affected by exercise and health perception. Heath-related quality of life was directly affected by physical functioning limitation and depression, indirectly affected by gender, economics, exercise, symptoms, NYHA Class, and health perception. This path analysis model explained 51% of health-related quality of life in patients with heart failure.
CONCLUSION
To improve of health-related quality of life with heart failure patients, it is necessary to make nursing interventions for physical functioning and depression.

PURPOSE
This study attempted to analyze problems of informed consent in the clinical setting and appraise ethical aspects inherent in such issues in order to boost awareness of informed consent and its implementation among healthcare professionals.
METHODS
Study methods included identifying ethical meanings of informed consent in the clinical setting based on the principal ethics, and exploring the process of informed consent utilizing communicative ethics and feminine care ethics RESULTS: The ethical basis of informed consent encompasses not only respect for autonomy but also prohibiting malice, practicing beneficience, and establishing justice. These principles, however, are limited in illustrating the ethical aspects of communicative ethics and care ethics that are entailed in informed consent within clinical settings. The ethical meaning of informed consent involves a communicative and caring process between healthcare professionals, patients, and family built on mutual respect.
CONCLUSION
Healthcare professionals must fully understand the ethical meanings of informed consent and in turn respect and protect the clients' right to know and making decisions. Nurses especially, must take on the role of mediator and advocate throughout the process of obtaining informed consent, and practice ethical caring by facilitating communication grounded in mutual understanding among the physician, patient, and family members.

PURPOSE
The purpose of this study was to explore the utilization of the Transtheoretical Model(TTM) for Korean nursing studies on health behaviors and identify the strategies for improvement of further studies.
METHODS
From a main and seven branch journals on the Korean Society of Nursing Science, a total of 26 studies, which had been conducted based upon the TTM, were selected. The selected studies were analyzed from the September of 2006 to the February of 2007 by the criteria; name of journal, year of publication, health behavior, population, sampling, sample size, research design, instrument (translation process, reliability and validity), and statistical analysis.
RESULTS
TTM on the Korean nursing studies was mainly applied for smoking cessation or exercise with elderly or middle aged women. The research findings could not be generalized with the limitation of the use of non representative samples. The most frequently used research design was a cross-sectional survey. Some studies had a lack of reliable and valid instruments, so that the internal validity of the study findings may be threatened. Statistically related problems increased type I error and decreased power.
CONCLUSION
Korean nursing studies based on TTM can be the beginning stage in quality and quantity.

PURPOSE
The purposes of this study were to explore and describe the use of restraint on patients and to generate a grounded theory of how the use of restraint affects patients who have been restrained.
METHODS
Interview data from seven patients with physical restraint was analyzed using the Strauss and Corbin's grounded theory method. Data were collected and analyzed simultaneously. Unstructured and in-depth interviews were conducted retrospectively with patients recalling their memories of ICU following their transfer to general unit.
RESULTS
'Safety belt' was emerged as a core category and it reflected that physical restraint provided a sense of security to patients. On the basis of core category, a model of the experience process of restrained patients in ICU was developed. The experience process were categorized into four stages: resistance, fear, resignation, and agreement. Stages of these proceeds appeared to have been influenced by the nurses' attitude and caring behavior such as the frequency of nurse-patient interaction, repetition of explanation, and empathetic understanding.
CONCLUSION
These findings indicate that patients have mixed feelings towards restraint use, although negative feelings were stronger than positive ones. The result of this study will help nurses make effective nursing intervention.

PURPOSE
The purpose of this study was to develop an e-learning orientation program for nursing students(junior), to evaluate the program, and to find out its effects on adapting to clinical practicum.
METHODS
The e-learning orientation program was developed according to ADDIE model(analysis, design, develop, implement, evaluate) using an Active Tutor Program. Twelve nursing professionals and 31 nursing students(learners) evaluated the e-learning orientation program. Thirty one nursing students participated in the e-learning orientation program both on-line and off-line.
RESULTS
The e-learning orientation program consisted of 5 parts including 'Taking a lesson in gastrointestinal tract', 'Fundamental nursing skill and reading a medical chart', 'Taking a ward orientation by head nurse', 'Clinical practice with preceptors', and 'Writing for case report'. Adapting scores to clinical practicum were significantly different between pre-test and post-test(t=-5.76, p=.000).
CONCLUSION
The e-learning orientation program of on-line and off-line has an effect on adapting to clinical practicum for nursing students.

PURPOSE
The purpose of this study were to investigate the self-reported quality of life and family burden and to examine the factors associated with the quality of life in patients with cancer.
METHODS
216 patients participated in the cross-sectional study. The European Group of Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of life Questionnaire (EORTC QLQ-C30) and the Family Burden Scale were sent by mail to 2,000 cancer patients. Two hundred and sixteen patients answered the questionnaire. The stepwise multiple regression was conducted to analyze predictors of overall quality of life.
RESULTS
All subscales of EORTC QLQ-C30 were significantly correlated with family burden. The regression analysis of patients with cancer revealed some variables as significant predictors; performance, perceived severity, family burden, time since diagnosis, and sex.
CONCLUSION
The results offer a number of recommendations for future research and nursing practice focused on primary care for patients with cancer and their family for improving quality of life.

PURPOSE
The purpose of this study was to examine the relationships among knowledge, attitudes, and the use of negative control maintenance techniques toward older adults among nurses working in geriatric hospitals (n=86).
METHODS
Data were collected from April 4th to May 30th in 2006 by using questionnaires of Fact on Aging Quiz Part I, Aging Semantic Differential Scaling, and Control Maintenance Techniques.
RESULTS
The findings showed that the nurses displayed lack of knowledge concerning older adults and their average rate of correct answer was 45.6%. They also hold some negative bias and attitudes, especially in psychological and social aspects. The level of using negative control maintenance techniques in managing older patients' problematic behaviors was reported as the mean of 5.65 with a possible range of 0-40. Nurse's knowledge of older adults was positively associated with their attitudes toward older adults, but their knowledge and attitudes were not associated with the use of negative control maintenance techniques.
CONCLUSION
It is necessary to provide educational programs for nurses that focus on a comprehensive understanding of aging with lifetime developmental perspectives. Further studies are needed to understand the factors associated with using negative control maintenance techniques and to evaluate the intervention programs in reducing the use of negative control maintenance techniques.

PURPOSE
This study was conducted to develop an integrated undergraduate course including a PBL based on a blended learning strategy, and evaluate learners' responses.
METHODS
The learning contents of cardiovascular, respiratory, and musculoskeletal medical systems, and nursing diagnoses of 'activity and rest' domain (NANADA's classification II, 2005) were analyzed. Six clinical scenarios with the clients in different life cycles were developed for PBL. Classical lecture and group presentation with on-line self learning were implemented in addition to PBL. The developed course was implemented on 84 junior nursing students in a university for 7 weeks with 5 hours per day, two days per week. Students were asked to complete structured questionnaires including problem solving, critical thinking, and nursing diagnosis differentiation abilities.
RESULTS
Learner's evaluation was positive in problem solving skills and in the differentiation ability of nursing diagnoses relevant to an 'activity and rest' functional health pattern.
CONCLUSION
Development and implementation of integrated courses based on a blended learning method need to be continued to enhance students' thinking and self-directed learning abilities. Supporting strategies for individual learners should be added for successful blended learning such as individual on-line feedback and consideration of individual learning outcomes.

PURPOSE
This study was performed to investigate the type and frequency of end colostomy-related complications and to identify the risk factors for those complications.
METHODS
Retrospective analysis of medical records was made in 708 patients who underwent end colostomy in Samsung Medical Center between October 1994 and February 2005. The type was divided into stomal and peristomal complications: stomal complications included bleeding, necrosis, mucocutaneous separation, prolapsed stoma, retraced stoma, stenosis, and hyperplasia; peristomal complications did peristomal varix, peristomal hernia, irritant contact dermatitis, allergic contact dermatitis, maceration, folliculitis, hyperplasia, bacterial infection, candidal infection, malignancy in the peristomal area, mechanical damage and pyoderma gangrenosum.
RESULTS
For stomal complications, hyperplasia was most common(9.0%). For peristomal complications, irritant contact dermatitis was developed in 17.4%. Sex and BMI were risk factors for irritant contact dermatitis, hyperplasia, peristomal hernia, flat stoma, and retracted stoma.
CONCLUSION
Teaching for preventing irritant contact dermatitis such as proper pouching and peristomal skin protection, and for comprehensive weight control should be emphasized on self care program for ostomates, while ostomy care nurse should take a careful consideration of preoperative ostomy site marking in female obese patients.

PURPOSE
The purposes of this study were to describe the pattern of type D personality, to compare the life style and quality of life between type D personality and non-type D personality patients, and to investigate the factors influencing quality of life in patients with hypertension.
METHODS
A cross sectional, descriptive study was used. The participants in this study were 193 outpatients who were diagnosed with hypertension at two university hospitals in urban area, Korea. The data was collected from December, 2006 to January, 2007. Type D personality was measured by the DS-14 scale.
RESULTS
The prevalence of type D personality was 83.9%. Patients of type D personality were significantly different in educational status, monthly income, fat intake and exercise, and had a lower overall quality of life than patients of non-type D personality. Under controlled general characteristics and life style factors, multiple linear regression analysis was performed. The most significant factor influencing quality of life in hypertensive patients was type D personality, and this factor explained their quality of life with a variance of 14.8%.
CONCLUSIONS
Various programs for psychological intervention are required to control for the distressed personality of patients with hypertension. Further studies should be conducted prospectively on a larger patient population.

PURPOSE
The purposes of this article were to analyze curricula of gerontological nurse practitioner(GNP) programs in the United States, to compare the curricula with Korean GNP programs, and to provide suggestions for better GNP programs in Korea.
METHODS
Top GNP programs in the United States were identified from the US NEWS and 12 universities were included in the analyses. Class distribution, credit hours, and clinical hours were analyzed and suggestions for Korean GNP programs were made.
RESULTS
Average credit hours for class lectures in the US GNP programs were 47 and emphases on physiology, pharmacology, physical assessment, and disease management were identified. Most US GNP programs(75%) provided health concerns for both middle aged and older adults. Not all US GNP programs included 'theory' or 'the introduction to GNP' classes, while these are required classes in the Korean GNP program. The mean clinical hours in the US GNP Programs were 537 which are much higher than those in the Korean GNP program.
CONCLUSION
Based on the analyses, we can conclude that Korean GNP programs are lacking in many ways. Further evaluation and curricula modifications are required to settle down the program better and to have the graduates prepared more as internationally competent nurse practitioners.

PURPOSE
The purpose of this study was to identify the influencing factors on postpartum fatigue in the parturient women.
METHODS
The data were collected from July to September, 2006 using self-report questionnaires. The sample was 143 healthy parturient women who visited the outpatient clinic at 2 hospitals for a routine follow up after childbirth. The data were analyzed by using SPSS 12.0 Win program.
RESULTS
There were significant differences in the postpartum fatigue by age, religion, sleep hour, and complaint of perceived health problem. The postpartum fatigue were significantly correlated with infant care stress(p<0.001), sleep satisfaction(p<0.001), and feeding difficulty(p=0.016). The multiple regression analysis showed that the postpartum fatigue were significantly predicted by the infant care stress, sleep satisfaction and complaint of perceived health problem. These variables explained 31.8% of the variance of postpartum fatigue. The infant care stress was the main predictor of postpartum fatigue.
CONCLUSIONS
It could be concluded that the nursing intervention for reducing the infant care stress should be developed to manage the postpartum fatigue for parturient women. Prospective studies are needed to be conducted to verify the causal relationship between infant care stress and postpartum fatigue.