Purpose
This study aimed to obtain insights into the meaning and nature of the lived experiences of environmental health behavior among pregnant women. Methods: The hermeneutic phenomenology framework developed by Max van Manen informed this study, which included 17 pregnant women as participants. Data were collected using in-depth interviews of the participants between July and September 2020. Results: The key themes identified were: “fear of health threats to the mother and baby”, “patience with inconveniences for fetal health”, “movement for the environment”, and “generativity embodied from pregnancy”. Participants expressed that they had deeper experiences with regard to their environmental health behavior during pregnancy than they did before, and recognized that communal environmental behaviors impact future environmental pollution. They had a negative perspective towards environmental pollution involving plastics and chemicals, and wanted to protect their children's health by making the best possible behavioral choices. Conclusion: This study revealed the meanings of environmental health perceptions and behavioral experiences in the participants' sociocultural context. These findings have implications for health care providers' prenatal care practices that focus on environmental health from an ecological perspective.

Citations

• The protocol of DECO-MOM: a clinical trial testing the effectiveness of a mobile application for an environmental health intervention among pregnant women
  Hyun Kyoung Kim
  BMC Medical Informatics and Decision Making.2023;[Epub]     CrossRef
• The effects of environmental prenatal program on environmental health perception and behavior using internet-based intervention in South Korea: A non-randomized controlled study
  Hyun Kyoung Kim, Geum Hee Jeong, Hye Young Min, George Vousden
  PLOS ONE.2022; 17(11): e0277501.     CrossRef

PURPOSE
This study was conducted to identify the predictive factors for pre-diabetes in middle-aged Korean women based on the Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES).
METHODS
In this cross-sectional study, data were extracted from the second year of the 6th KNHANES (2013~2015), conducted at 129 sites from January to December 2014. The 1,275 subjects were middle-aged women between 40 and 64 years of age characterized as “pre-diabetic” (n=618) or “normal” (n=657) according to the American Diabetes Association (ADA) standard. Multivariate binary logistic regression was used to determine factors influencing pre-diabetes in middle-aged women.
RESULTS
The significant factors for pre-diabetes were a Waist-to-Height Ratio (WHtR) > 0.53 (Odds Ratio [OR]=1.71, 95% Confidence Interval [CI]=1.27~2.29), increasing prevalence of hypercholesterolemia (OR=2.02, 95% CI=1.42~2.86), and low level of High-Density Lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol (OR=1.89, 95% CI=1.18~3.02). In addition, as age increased after 50 years, the proportion of WHtR > 0.53 decreased in the normal group, but increased with age in the pre-diabetes group.
CONCLUSION
Education to raise awareness about diabetes including pre-diabetes is needed for effective management of hyperlipidemia and central obesity to ensure a healthy middle age.

Citations

• Predictors of Prediabetes Among Young Adults in East Java, Indonesia: A Cross-sectional Study
  Ika Nur Pratiwi, Ika Yuni Widyawati, Nursalam Nursalam, Zulfayandi Pawanis, Arina Qonaah, Bih O Lee
  Nurse Media Journal of Nursing.2024;[Epub]     CrossRef

PURPOSE
This study investigated Korean women in between age 30 to 60 who were obese or overweight in order to explore their self-perception based on lifetime phase.
METHODS
Focus group interviews were performed four times with six to eight participants in each group (a total of 27). Data were analyzed using inductive thematic analysis.
RESULTS
The data analysis from the interviews revealed recurring common themes: heavy heart, heavy body, resigned acceptance of their own condition, and compromise. The study also found that each age group had different concerns: concerning others' gaze on their obese appearances (30s), realizing their aging obese appearances (40s), recognizing red flags of their health with obesity (50s), and becoming ambivalent about their obese appearances (60s). Overall, their perceptions of being overweight were negative and stressful. Women in their 30s and 40s were more interested in their appearances, and thus were more obsessive about weight gain. In contrast, women in their 50s and 60s were more accepting of their physical appearances, and thus were more concerned about living healthy than losing weight.
CONCLUSION
These results may be useful to consider when developing tailored weight-control programs for obese and overweight Korean women. Additionally, strategic approaches for successful and effective programs targeting healthy weight should be based on better understanding about women's self-perceptions and motivations.

Citations

• Exploring Barriers to and Facilitators of Physical Activity among Korean American Women
  JiWon Choi, Juhyun Cho, Nah-Mee Shin, Janice Tsoh
  Western Journal of Nursing Research.2021; 43(9): 817.     CrossRef
• Factors Affecting Body Image Discordance Amongst Korean Adults Aged 19–39 Years
  Hye-Young Jang, Jung-Won Ahn, Mi-Kyeong Jeon
  Osong Public Health and Research Perspectives.2018; 9(4): 197.     CrossRef

PURPOSE
This comparative descriptive study was to identify gender differences in delay seeking treatment and related experiences in patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI).
METHODS
Ninety-seven participants were recruited from a tertiary hospital.
RESULTS
Mean age of 47 women was 71.5±13.3 while that of men was 55.0±10.9 (p<.001). More women lived alone and were jobless, less educated, and poorer than men. Men were likely to be 'current smokers' and drink alcohol, however viewed themselves healthier than women (p=.030). Women's hospital stay was 9.23±21.04 days while men's was 4.86±2.72 days (p=.014). More women had been diagnosed with hypertension (p=.040). Women appeared to report significantly less pain (6.46±3.1) than men (8.44±1.8). More men described their pain as sudden onset (p=.015) and chest pain as major symptom (p=.034) than women. More women were found alone upon onset of symptoms (p=.023) and had important reasons for delay seeking treatment (p=.021) than men. Median time from onset of symptoms to seeking medical service was 1.5 hours for men and 5.1 hours for women (p=.003). Median time taken from onset of symptoms to hospital for therapy was 3.5 hours for men and 9.1 hours for women (p=.019).
CONCLUSION
This study findings that women reported less pain and delayed in seeking treatment, suggest needs for strategies targeting women at risk of AMI.

Citations

• Predictors of anticipated coping behavior at myocardial infarction symptom onset among a nationwide sample of Korean adults
  Kyong Sil Park
  Epidemiology and Health.2021; 43: e2021006.     CrossRef
• Blood Pressure Awareness and Knowledge of Cardio-Cerebrovascular Diseases in South Korean Women with Hypertension
  Yeo Won Jeong
  Healthcare.2021; 9(3): 360.     CrossRef

PURPOSE
This study was aimed to explore and describe the disease experience of Korean women with eating disorders within psychological and sociocultural context.
METHODS
The participants were 12 young adult women suffering with eating disorders or have recovered from the diseases. Data were collected via in-depth interviews and analyzed according to the grounded theory methodology by Strauss and Corbin.
RESULTS
The core category of the disease experience was 'becoming the master of life through desperate efforts'. The disease experience was categorized into five different phases including 'falling under the influence of others', 'collapsing the self: life swallowed by loosening weight', 'facing the wrecked self', 'struggling between the self and others', 'truly facing the self'. The intervening conditions were various supporting systems such as 'support from family', 'economic support' and 'support from trustworthy health professionals'.
CONCLUSION
The findings of this study indicate that it is necessary to develop nursing interventions to support women with eating disorders and alleviate their suffering from eating disorders. Also specialized educational programs are warranted to prevent the eating disorders, and to reduce social stigma of eating disorders.

Citations

• Illness Experiences of Adults with Spina Bifida: Protecting the Whole Self
  Seoung-Wha Lim, Myungsun Yi
  Asian Nursing Research.2021; 15(1): 67.     CrossRef

PURPOSE
The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of emotional labor, somatic symptoms, and emotional support on quality of life among middle-aged women workers.
METHODS
The study design was a descriptive survey research. Data were collected from October 2013 to January 2014 in Korea. A self-reported questionnaire was administerd in a convenience sample of 264 middle aged women in various working places. The survey included socio-demographic and job-related factors, and the questionnaires about emotional labor, somatic symptoms, emotional support, and quality of life. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, t-test, ANOVA, pearson's correlation coefficient, and stepwise multiple regression.
RESULTS
Stepwise multiple regression showed that somatic symptoms had the greatest effect on quality of life (beta=-1.65, p<.001), followed by emotional support (beta=0.67, p<.001), and job satisfaction (beta=3.98, p<.001). And these variables accounted for 52% of quality of life among middle-aged women workers (F=97.14, p<.001).
CONCLUSION
These results suggest for clinical nurses to take somatic symptoms, emotional support, and job satisfaction into special account in order to improve the middle aged women worker's quality of life. Ultimately, a health promotion program focusing on these influential variables in workplace need to be developed for the given population.

Citations

• Determinants of Quality of Life (QoL) in Female Caregivers in Elderly Care Facilities in Korea
  Hee-Kyung Kim, Hye-Suk Oh
  Behavioral Sciences.2024; 14(1): 53.     CrossRef
• The Effects of Emotional Labor and Workplace Violence on the Somatic Symptoms of Customer Service Employees in Department Stores
  Bongsoon Ryu, Bo Hyun Park
  Research in Community and Public Health Nursing.2023; 34: 61.     CrossRef
• Somatic Symptoms and Quality of Life in Adults: Moderating Effect of Spiritual Well-being
  Youngrye Park, Hee Moon
  The Korean Journal of Rehabilitation Nursing.2018; 21(2): 132.     CrossRef
• Experiences in Self-leading Leisure Activities of Middle-aged Office Workers
  Jeong-Soo KIM
  Journal of Fisheries and Marine Sciences Education.2016; 28(5): 1348.     CrossRef

PURPOSE
This study was a qualitative study to explore and understand the adaptation experiences of hemodialysis among women with End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) and to develop a substantive theory using the grounded theory method.
METHODS
Participants were 15 female patients who underwent hemodialysis for ESRD treatment from three general hospitals. The data were collected through in-depth individual interviews.
RESULTS
The adaptation experience of participants was emerged as a process of taking care and enduring. There were four adaptation stages as a negative, despair, receptive, and maintenance period in reference to hemodialysis. The causal conditions were a vague expectations of recovery and refusal to undergo hemodialysis. The core phenomenon was that of confinement to dialysis machine. The contextual conditions for this phenomenon were the loss of femininity. They used action/interaction strategies such as transition their life with a focus on hemodialysis, seeking information, and learning how to take care of their body. Through this process, they had a strong will to live or had sustained their life.
CONCLUSION
These results indicate that there is a need for nurses to understand the different steps of adaptation experiences of the given patient population. It is necessary for nurses to support them to lead their life as much normal as possible and improve the adaptation experience of ESRD.

Citations

• Progressing the understanding of chronic illness and its treatment: A post-human, ethological understanding of haemodialysis
  Victoria Cluley, Helen Eborall, Katherine Hull, Niamh Quann, James O Burton
  Health: An Interdisciplinary Journal for the Social Study of Health, Illness and Medicine.2024; 28(5): 716.     CrossRef
• Healthy life of Korean patients with chronic kidney failure undergoing hemodialysis: A situation-specific nursing theory
  Jinhyang Yang, Myung-Ok Cho, Haeok Lee
  Applied Nursing Research.2022; 65: 151584.     CrossRef
• Ethnography on the Health Life of Hemodialysis Patients with Chronic Kidney Failure
  Jinhyang Yang, Myung-Ok Cho
  Korean Journal of Adult Nursing.2021; 33(2): 156.     CrossRef
• An Alternative View of a Hemodialysis–Life Balance: Life Reorganization of Korean Patients Undergoing Hemodialysis
  Songsoon Kim, Jinhyang Yang
  Journal of Transcultural Nursing.2021; 32(6): 664.     CrossRef
• The Illness Adaptation Process of Patients Suffering from Atrial Fibrillation: Living a Life Managing the Silent Insurrection of the Heart
  A-Leum Han, Suhye Kwon
  Korean Journal of Adult Nursing.2020; 32(3): 326.     CrossRef
• Gender-based experiences on the survival of chronic renal failure patients under hemodialysis for more than 20 years
  Mi-Kyoung Cho, Gisoo Shin
  Applied Nursing Research.2016; 32: 262.     CrossRef

PURPOSE
The purpose of this study was to develop a smartphone application and evaluate it's effectiveness and usability for promoting bone health in Korean young adult women.
METHODS
A smartphone application was developed covering exercise, nutrition, and health habits related to bone health. A pilot testing was conducted using a one-group pre/posttest design. A total of 22 female college students with low bone mass participated in the 8-week use of a pilot testing.
RESULTS
The "Strong bone Fit body (SbFb)" application was developed using Android platform. In the pilot testing, bone mineral density, serum CTX, and 25 (OH)Vit.D were significantly decreased. There is no significant change in serum osteocalcin and calcium. Serum phosphorus concentration, nutrient intakes (fiber, VitB6, and pantotenic acid), and all bone composition profiles were significantly increased. Bonehealth knowledge was significantly increased but no change in health belief and self-efficacy.
CONCLUSION
The results of this pilot testing suggest the effectiveness of the SbFb application to enhance and promote self-managing abilities for bone health. It can provide continuous feedback and high-quality bone health information. However, some contents and working methods of the application need to be modified and its effectiveness on bone health requires further investigations.

Citations

• Feasibility of a mobile app for traumatic stress management using neurofeedback-based meditation and binaural beat music: A pilot randomized controlled trial
  Yun-Jung Choi, Dong-Hee Cho, Na-Rae Lee
  DIGITAL HEALTH.2024;[Epub]     CrossRef
• Effectiveness of a virtual reality application‐based education programme on patient safety management for nursing students: A pre‐test–post‐test study
  Jae Woo Oh, Ji Eun Kim
  Nursing Open.2023; 10(12): 7622.     CrossRef
• Development and evaluation of a self‐management application for patients with gout
  Seung Gum Kang, Eun Nam Lee
  Japan Journal of Nursing Science.2020;[Epub]     CrossRef
• Application and Effect of Mobiletype-Bone Health Intervention in Korean Young Adult Women with Low Bone Mass: A Randomized Control Trial
  Young-Joo Park, Sook-Ja Lee, Nah-Mee Shin, Hyunjeong Shin, Songi Jeon, Jungwoo Lee, Inhae Cho
  Asian Nursing Research.2017; 11(1): 56.     CrossRef

PURPOSE
This study was to develop a health promotion program for marriage immigrant women and to evaluate its efficacy.
METHODS
The health promotion program was comprised of eight 100-minute weekly sessions. Each session included understanding of health responsibility, nutrition, physical activity, interpersonal relations, stress management, and self actualization. The research was conducted under the principles of nonequivalent control group pretest-post test design. The outcome variables were health promoting behavior, health status, acculturation, self efficacy, and perceived barrier. The participants were 15 immigrant women in the experimental group and 16 in the control group. Data was analyzed using chi2 test, Fisher's exact test, Mann Whitney U-test and Wilcoxon signed rank test.
RESULTS
There was a significant improvement in health promoting behaviors (U=-3.08, p=.002), left shoulder flexibility (U=-3.02, p=.003), right shoulder flexibility (U=-3.02, p=.003), low back flexibility (U=-3.37, p=.001), social health status (U=-3.38 p=.001) and subjective health status (U=-2.17 p=.030) in the experimental group compared to the control group.
CONCLUSION
The health promotion program for marriage immigrant women was an effective intervention for improving health promoting behavior, physical health status, social health, and subjective health status. Therefore, the developed health promotion program needs to be applied to married immigrant women in other kinds nursing care settings in future research.

Citations

• The Effects of the Infant Health Promotion Program for Mothers with Their Firstborn Infants
  Chae-Min Yoon, Mi-Ae You
  Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing.2023; 53(6): 666.     CrossRef
• Influence of Perceived Health Status, Perceived Barrier, Cultural Acculturation on Empowerment in Married Migrant Women
  Yong-Sook EO, Yeon Hee LEE
  JOURNAL OF FISHRIES AND MARINE SCIENCES EDUCATION.2020; 32(5): 1308.     CrossRef
• Effects of Web-based Preconception Health Promotion Program for Couples about to be Married
  Nam Joo Je, So Young Choi
  Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing.2016; 46(5): 720.     CrossRef
• Analysis of Health Related Intervention Research for Married Immigrant Women
  Hyun-mi Ahn, Mi-ok Kim
  Journal of Digital Convergence.2016; 14(12): 245.     CrossRef

PURPOSE
The purpose of this study was to understand the risk of falling associated with postmenopausal women and to identify the relationships between this risk and factors such as lifestyle, metabolic syndrome, and bone mineral density.
METHODS
The sample was 128 postmenopausal women between 50 and 65 from one menopausal clinic in an urban city. The Risk Assessment for Falls Scale II, developed by Glydenvand and Reinboth (1982) and adapted by Park Young-Hye (2003), was modified and used for this study.
RESULTS
The average fall-risk score in postmenopausal women was 7.2 out of 33, the fall-risk score associated with lifestyle was higher in women exposed to stress frequently or who favored spicy or salty foods. The fall-risk score associated with metabolic syndrome was higher in groups with HBP or with a waist circumference of 80cm or greater. The fall-risk score in groups with three or more factors of metabolic syndrome was the highest.
CONCLUSION
The risk of fall in postmenopausal women was higher in groups with only elementary education, unemployed, reported two or more chronic diseases or reported frequent exposure to stress and for women who preferred spicy or salty foods or exhibited three or more factors of metabolic syndrome.

Citations

• Association between Falls and Nutritional Status of Community-Dwelling Elderly People in Korea
  Ah-Ra Jo, Mi-Jeong Park, Byung-Gue Lee, Young-Gyun Seo, Hong-Ji Song, Yu-Jin Paek, Kyung-Hee Park, Hye-Mi Noh
  Korean Journal of Family Medicine.2020; 41(2): 111.     CrossRef
• Comparison of falls-related physical fitness and fall experience characteristics of the elderly between Ulsan, Korea and Gifu, Japan
  Sohee Shin
  Korean Journal of Sport Science.2017; : 566.     CrossRef

PURPOSE
This study was to identify relationships between the levels of perceived stress, cancer-related knowledge, attitude and prevention behaviors, and to explore factors influencing cancer prevention behaviors of adult women in Korea.
METHODS
This study was a descriptive research, using a cross-sectional survey. A convenience sample of 314 women aged 20 to 64 was selected. A self-administered questionnaire was used to measure perceived stress, cancer-related knowledge, cancer-related attitude, and cancer prevention behaviors. The data were analyzed with the SPSS/WIN 21.0 program.
RESULTS
Cancer-related knowledge significantly differed according to age, marital status, education level, and occupation. While correlations between cancer-related knowledge, cancer-related attitude, and cancer prevention behaviors were positive, correlations between perceived stress and cancer prevention behaviors were negative. The hierarchical regression analyses revealed significant positive relations between cancer prevention behaviors and age (beta=.18, p=.003), perceived health status (beta=.22, p<.001), periodic checkup (beta=.21, p=.002), and cancer-related attitude (beta=.25, p<.001). Perceived stress on the other hand was negatively related to cancer prevention behaviors (beta=-.23, p<.001).
CONCLUSION
Interventions targeting women, especially young adults should focus on enhancing cancer-related attitude in order to improve cancer prevention behaviors. Thus, there continues to be a need to reduce perceived stress in adult women.

Citations

• Factors related to Cancer Preventive Behavior among Patients with Early Gastric Cancer who Underwent Endoscopic Submucosal Dissection
  Sunghye Choo, Sanghee Kim, Yong Chan Lee, Eunsung Kim
  Asian Oncology Nursing.2023; 23(2): 47.     CrossRef
• Structural Equation Modeling Analysis on Health Literacy and Cancer Prevention Behaviors among Medically-Underserved, Low-Income Populations
  Eun Jin Kim, Su Hyun Kim
  Journal of Korean Academy of Fundamentals of Nursing.2021; 28(1): 83.     CrossRef
• Influence of Sleep Quality, Coffee Consumption, and Perceived Stress on the Incidence of Thyroid Cancer in Healthy Korean Adults
  Myoyoun Kim, Seon Young Hwang
  Korean Journal of Adult Nursing.2021; 33(2): 125.     CrossRef
• Influence of Knowledge and Attitude of Cancer on Cancer Prevention Health Promoting Behavior in General Hospital Nurses
  SooHyeon Kim, Eun Young Park
  Asian Oncology Nursing.2018; 18(3): 163.     CrossRef
• Impacts of Colorectal Cancer Knowledge and Health Literacy on Self-management Behaviors among Elderly Women in Rural Areas
  Hyenam Hwang
  Korean Journal of Adult Nursing.2017; 29(5): 527.     CrossRef
• Health Literacy, Cancer Knowledge, and Cancer Preventive Behaviors among Rural Older Adults
  Hyenam Hwang
  Asian Oncology Nursing.2016; 16(4): 234.     CrossRef
• Knowledge, Attitude, and Preventive Health Behavior of Cancer in Middle-aged Men
  Youngrye Park, Hwee Wee
  The Korean Journal of Rehabilitation Nursing.2014; 17(2): 97.     CrossRef

PURPOSE
This study was to identify the impact of spiritual wellbeing and social support on the depression among middle-aged women. Descriptive study design was used.
METHODS
The subjects completed the structured questionnaires: the 'Spiritual Well-being Scale', developed by Paloutzian & Ellison, 'the Social Support Scale' developed by Park, and 'the CES-D Scale' developed by Radloff. Data were collected from 216 middle aged women in B metropolitan city and J city. The data were analyzed using t-test, ANOVA, Scheffe test, Pearson's correlation coefficients, and multiple regressions.
RESULTS
Participants with higher depression had lower scores for spiritual wellbeing (r=-.57, p<.001) and lower scores for social support (r=-.49, p=.011). The influencing factors on depression were spiritual wellbeing, social support, and utilization of spare time. These variables were explained 46% of the variance in depression.
CONCLUSION
The depression of the middle-aged women can be reduced when spiritual wellbeing and social support are improved. Therefore, we suggested to develop nursing intervention programs in order to improve spiritual wellbeing and social support of middle-aged women for reducing their depressions.

Citations

• The Relationship between Marital Satisfaction and Spiritual Well-Being of Chinese Older Adults: The Mediating Effect of Psychological Security and Aging Expectations
  Longxing Tang, Yachi Yang, Zhiwei An, Yalian Huang, Ping Tang
  Behavioral Sciences.2024; 14(10): 949.     CrossRef
• Experiences on Psycho-social Health Support of Middle-aged Women
  Jeong-Soo KIM, Euna PARK
  JOURNAL OF FISHRIES AND MARINE SCIENCES EDUCATION.2019; 31(5): 1432.     CrossRef
• A study on Symptom Experience, Spiritual Well-Being, and Depression in Patients Undergoing Hemodialysis
  Ju Yeon Song, Pok-Ja Oh
  Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society.2016; 17(5): 660.     CrossRef
• Factors Influencing Middle-aged Women's Depression
  Hung Sa Lee, Chunmi Kim, Dohyun Lee
  Korean Journal of Health Promotion.2016; 16(1): 1.     CrossRef
• Sociopsychological factors associated with depressive symptoms among some urban middle-aged men and women: focused on social support and stress coping strategy
  Seo-Heui Jeon, Kyoung Ok Park
  Korean Journal of Health Education and Promotion.2015; 32(3): 43.     CrossRef

PURPOSE
The purpose of this study was to identify the reported factors influencing fatigue of middle aged women.
METHODS
Two hundred seven middle aged women between 40 and 59 years of age were recruited from five areas in Korea from March 1, 2010, to April 20, 2010. Data were collected by self-reported questionnaires. Data analysis was done using SPSS/WIN 15.0 program for descriptive statistics, Pearson correlation coefficients and stepwise multiple regression.
RESULTS
The average score of fatigue was 2.34+/-0.40. There were significant differences in reported fatigue according to economic status and health status. The reported fatigue was significantly correlated with somatic attribution, psychological attribution, normalizing attribution, depression, marital adjustment, stress, and social support. The major factors that affect fatigue in middle aged women were stress, depression, and normalizing attribution, which explained 32.3% of fatigue.
CONCLUSION
The findings can reduce the fatigue by controlling stress and depression. Additionally, this study can understand the attribution of fatigue in middle aged women. More studies are needed to identify other variables that influence on the fatigue of middle aged women.

PURPOSE
The purpose of this study was to explore health-related experiences of the foreign wives.
METHODS
A qualitative research design was used to understand the health-related experiences of foreign wives. Ten informants were interviewed from December 2007 to December 2009.
RESULTS
The health related life experiences of foreign wives were analyzed within a self development process; Choice and struggle, Change and opportunity, and Settlement and expectation. The theme of choice and struggle includes physical and emotional stress in the initial stage of marriage. The second process of change and opportunity focused on the coping strategies of the women having power after knowledge acquisition from the multicultural family support center. The last theme was health and happiness from the women' perspectives.
CONCLUSION
This study has emphasized the health condition of the foreign wives. Since foreign wives are members of Korean society, health care professionals need to design health services to meet their needs.

PURPOSE
This study was performed to identify the relationship between Sense of Humor, Coping Humor, Perceived stress and self-esteem in the middle-aged women. METHODS: Data were collected from the 20th of June to the 30th of August in 2009 from 145 middle-aged women living in Seoul. Data analysis was done with SPSS/WIN 12.0 program for descriptive statistics and Pearson correlation. RESULTS: The mean score of the humor sense was 55.94+/-6.52, coping humor was 21.11+/-3.82, perceived stress was 22.21+/-3.03 and self-esteem was 27.50+/-2.88. Subcategories of sense of humor were that emotional expressiveness was average 20.75+/-2.70, meta-message sensitivity was average 20.12+/-2.74 and liking of humor was average 15.13+/-3.44. Sense of humor was difference according to the economic status(t=2.000, p=.047), coping humor was difference according to the on medication use(t=2.227, p=.027). There was a significant correlation between the coping humor, perceived stress and the self-esteem. When the coping humor was higher, perceived stress was lower and the self-esteem was higher. CONCLUSION: This study showed that medication and economic status influences the humor scores and the sense of humor and coping humor were related to perceived stress and self-esteem in middle-aged women Therefore, these findings can provide the basis for the development of nursing intervention to increase the ability to coping with stress.

PURPOSE
This study was designed to explore and compare the self efficacy, social support, and quality of life between middle-aged Korean and Chinese women. METHODS: The sample included 430 (Korean: 220, Chinese: 210) middle-aged women. Study instruments were the Self Efficacy Scale developed by Shere et al (1982), the Social Support Scale modified and based on Interpersonal Support Evaluation List (ISEL) developed by Cohen and Hoberman (1983), and The Quality of Life Scale (SF-36) developed by Ware and Book (1981). Data were analyzed by SPSS/WIN 16 version. RESULTS: Korean women reported more self efficacy and better quality of life than the Chinese women. The quality of life scores between middle-aged Korean and Chinese women showed a statistical significant difference. Self efficacy and quality of life scores reported by middle-aged Korean and Chinese women were below the reported standards of the instruments. In contrast to the other scores, Chinese women reported more social support than Korean women. CONCLUSION: The findings add to the body of literature about Chinese and Korean middle aged women. Additional research is needed to explain the differences among the two groups but the findings can inform the practicing nurse who works with these populations.

PURPOSE
The purpose of the study was to understand and describe health-related experience of women with physical disabilities, using feminist qualitative approach.
METHODS
Eight women with physical disabilities participated to the study. Their mean age was 43, ranging from 39 to 67 years old. The data were collected by individual in-depth interviews and all interviews were audio-taped and transcribed verbatim. The transcribed data were analyzed using traditional qualitative content analysis from a feminist perspective.
RESULTS
Six major categories emerged from the data. Category 1: "Isolation and alienation from the world.", Category 2: "A distorted self-image of physically disabled body.", Category 3: "Difficulties due to a fixed gender role.", Category 4: "Constant suffering from chronic pain.", Category 5: "Health problems that they have to endure by themselves.", Category 6: "Sublimation through selfreliance." The results of the study show how Korean women with physical disabilities suffer from social stigma, indifferences, and discriminations and struggle to survive in these unfriendly surroundings.
CONCLUSION
The results of the study would help health professionals in designing effective intervention to improve health and to empower women with physical disabilities by providing deep understanding and critical insights of those women.

PURPOSE
This study was done to identify the influencing factors of spiritual health in patients suffering from women cancers.
METHODS
The subjects were 130 in woman patients who were diagnosed with women cancer(breast Ca & uterine Ca) at three university hospitals and one general hospital. Data collection was conducted by using 4 questionnaires. The collected data were analyzed using frequency, percentage, t-test, ANOVA, Pearson's correlation coefficients, stepwise multiple regression.
RESULTS
Spiritual health score was middle. There were a significant correlation between spiritual health and depression, pain, fatigue and effects of religion. There were significant differences in spiritual health according to the education level, monthly income, meaning of religion or god, Frequency of attendance at worship. The most powerful predictor of spiritual health was depression(27.2%). Altogether depression, effects of religion, pain, and education level explained 46.1% of spiritual health of women cancer patients.
CONCLUSION
It suggested that concepts of depression, effects of religion, pain, and education level should be considered in developing spiritual health promoting program for women cancer patients.

PURPOSE
The aim of this study was to construct leisure physical activity model of middle-aged women in urban area. METHODS: Data were gathered by self-report questionnaire from 211 women aged between 41 and 59 years in urban community. The data were analyzed using the SPSS/WIN 10.0 program and the model was constructed using the LISREL 8.54 program. RESULTS: Variables that have direct effects on leisure physical activity were health state, past leisure physical activity, social support, self-efficacy, and affect. Perceived leisure state and behavioral leisure attitude also influenced leisure physical activity in an indirect way. Perceived leisure state had a direct effect on self-efficacy. Behavioral leisure attitude, past leisure physical activity, and experience of exercise effect had significantly direct effects on affect CONCLUSION: It will provide basic information for developing strategies of programs to enhance leisure physical activity of middle-aged women in urban area.

PURPOSE
This study was to examine the effects of Seogeum therapy for middle-aged abdominal obese women. METHODS: Seogeum therapy combined cupping, stepping on ion aluminum board, adhering to Seoam moxibustion and Seoam pellet. The subjects consisted of 30 middle-aged abdominal obese women between 40 and 59 years of age: fifteen were assigned to experimental group, fifteen to control group. The data collection and treatments were performed from June to October, 2007. The subjects of experimental group participated in Seogeum therapy for 5 times per week during 8 weeks. The data were analyzed with Chi-square test, Wilcoxon signed rank test and Wilcoxon rank-sum test with SPSS/Window 12.0 program. RESULTS: Seogeum therapy experimental group showed significant difference in change of general obesity indexes(body weight, body fat amount, body fat ratio, BMI) than control group supporting hypothesis 1. Experimental group showed significant difference in change of abdominal obesity indexes(abdominal fat ratio, waist circumference, hip circumference) than control group supporting hypothesis 2. CONCLUSION: Obesity management of Seogeum therapy had a positive effect for middle-aged obese women. Therefore, it is concluded that the obesity management of Seogeum therapy can be applied as a nursing intervention to decrease the obesity for middle-aged women.

PURPOSE
This study is to develop a hypothetical structural model of the quality of life of single aged women and to explain the compatibilities between the models and actual data. METHODS: Ten theoretical variables were used to evaluate of the quality of life of single aged women. 300 of single aged women were selected as the subjects. A hypothetical prediction model of quality of life was tested by the covariance structure analysis with PC-LISREL 8.12. RESULTS: Economy, religion activity, leisure activity, social support, self-esteem, depression and health prompting behavior were the significant variables which affected to the quality of life directly in the single aged women. But social support, self-esteem affected to them indirectly. Knowing perceived health status directly but it affected indirectly to the quality of life in single aged women. CONCLUSION: In this study, it was discovered that self-esteem was the most important factor to affect to the quality of life in single aged women and the next was the depression and health promoting behavior. As a result, it was discovered that age, economic status, self-esteem and depression were the significant factors to affect to the quality of life in single aged women.

PURPOSE
This research was conducted to explore the experiences of graduate student women with children fulfilling multiple roles and to generate a substantive theory.
METHODS
This study uses the grounded theory method based on Strauss and Corbin(1988)'s method. Interviews were conducted with 11 graduate student women who had children aged three of older.
RESULTS
The core category of this research is 'Role balancing for self-generativity'. Based on the core category, three types of married women graduate students' experiences were found. They are 'concentrating on graduate-work' 'postponing graduate-work' and 'adjustment between two roles' CONCLUSIONS: Through understanding the married women's multiple roles experience process, there can be a basis for making a women's health system and social support system for the married women graduate student. Also, this research is to generate a substantive theory which can helps to change social perspectives on the quality of life for the women who will contribute in Korean society as professionals.

PURPOSE
The purpose of this study was to examine self care behaviors according to the risk levels of vascular complications in elderly women with hypertension.
METHODS
The subjects of this study were 162 women living in the community who had been diagnosed with hypertension in clinics. The data were analysed by the SPSS 10.0 program using descriptive statistics, t-test, and ANOVA with Scheff. post-hoc test.
RESULTS
The average self care behavior score of the elderly women was 2.79. Total self care behavior was significantly different depending on the risk levels of vascular complications such as systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, ankle-brachial index, and the framingham point score. Among sub-scores of self care behaviors, exercise management was the poorest performance compared with other self care behaviors.
CONCLUSION
This study proved the differences in self care behaviors according to the risk levels of vascular complications. To decrease the prevalence of vascular complication, it is necessary to develop programs specifically to enhance self care behaviors of elderly women with hypertension.

PURPOSE
The purposes of this study were to investigate the prevalence of insomnia and to compare sleep patterns, demographic characteristics, and obstacles for sleep between women with and without insomnia.
METHODS
This was a descriptive study. Study participants were 1,679 Korean women aged over 20 years. Information on symptoms of insomnia, sleep patterns, and related factors was assessed by questionnaire. Symptoms of insomnia included difficulties in initiating and maintaining sleep and early morning awakening.
RESULTS
This study found that 32.0% of the study participants had insomnia, subjects with insomnia had bad sleep patterns compared to comparison group, lower educational level and menopause were closely related to insomnia, and noise, temperature, lighting, presence of bed partner, intake of caffeine, frequent urination, and pain or itching were associated with insomnia.
CONCLUSION
This study suggests that insomnia is prevalent in women and closely associated with education level and menopausal status.

PURPOSE
This study was to identify the level of quality of life in patients with woman cancer across treatment phases.
METHODS
The research method was a cross-sectional descriptive study. Data was collected by questionnaires from 226 female, who were in- and out-patients. They were diagnosed with breast and uterine cancer from three university hospitals and two general hospitals. The instruments used for this study included, "the Quality Of Life Scale(QOL)". The collected data were analyzed using Frequency, Percentage, ANOVA, Two-Way ANOVA.
RESULTS
Quality of life of women cancer patients was significantly different according to three treatment phases. Quality of life of women cancer patients was not significantly different according to areas of disease in the three treatment phases. Quality of life of women cancer patients was significantly different according to level of fatigue in the three treatment phases. Quality of life of women cancer patients was significantly different according to level of perceived health status in the three treatment phases(F=60.14, p=.000). Quality of life of women cancer patients was significantly different according to education level(F=3.70, p=.027) & occupation(F=5.67, p=.018) in three treatment phases.
CONCLUSION
Strategies for intervention are needed to improve the quality of life in women cancer patients across the treatment phases. The significant several characteristics of affecting on quality of life across treatment phases should be considered in sociopsychological nursing intervention.

PURPOSE
This study was conducted to identify factors influencing health promotion behavior of the low-income elderly women in urban area.
METHODS
The subjects of this study consisted of 389 the low-income Korean elderly women over 65 years. The data was analyzed using descriptive statistics, t-test, One-way ANOVA, Pearson Correlation Coefficients, Stepwise Multiple Regression with SPSS/Win 12.0.
RESULTS
1) Activity limitation was found to have a statistically significant negative correlation. But self-rated health, self-esteem, and social support were found to have a statistically significant positive correlation with health promotion behavior 2) The factors influencing health promotion behavior were self-esteem, social support, activity limitation, self-rated health, pocket money, and religion. They accounted for 36.8% of the variance for health promotion behavior in the low-income elderly women living in urban area. The most powerful predictor was self-esteem(28.1%).
CONCLUSION
This study showed that making a thorough assessment of the predictors influencing health promotion behavior in the low-income elderly women who remain vulnerable in diverse aspects is very important to minimize their health issues and to contribute their positive health promotion.

PURPOSE
The purpose of the study were to categorize the subjectivity of the quality of life in elderly women and to thereby understand the differences regarding quality of life desires.
METHODS
This study used a Q-methodology to measure the quality of life in elderly women. A Q sample was collected from in-depth and objective interviews and WHOQLO. Fourteen participants rated 28 selected Q-statements on a scale of 1-7. The collected data was analyzed using PC Quanl.
RESULTS
The principal component analysis identified 4 factors regarding the quality of life of elderly women. These categories were labeled 'hopelessness-oriented', 'relationship/adaptation-oriented', 'physical suffering-oriented', and 'self satisfaction-orientated'.
CONCLUSION
Some of the factors regarding the quality of life of elderly women were determined through this research. Further research is necessary to set up and apply different the quality of life between men and women based on this result. The results of this study indicate that different approaches toward quality of life promotion programs are recommended based on the four factors of quality of life among elderly women.

PURPOSE
This study aimed to describe the experience of family breakdown of Hwabyung patients in a socio-cultural context.
METHODS
Data for this study came from 5 participants, 2 family members and 1 friend of participant by interviews and participant observations from January 2006 to April 2007. Sociology of everyday lives analyzing method were adopted.
RESULTS
There were two processes of family breakdown ; sudden on set and progressive processes. The sudden breakdown was unpredictable death of a husband, the significant family member. On the other hand, their family structure and function were broken down through the husband, who repeatedly destructive and malicious behaviors. The experience of family breakdown of middle-aged women with Hwabyung in a socio-cultural context was weakened or severed family-relationships, exhaustion of economic sources, and the breakdown of participant's body. Participant's experience of family breakdown were influenced by Korean culture, the patriarchal social system and the clan-centered family system.
CONCLUSION
Hwabyung is the result of a clan-centered family system and patriarchal system. The approach to Hwabyung should involve not only the person with the illness but also their family.

PURPOSE
The purpose of this study is to identify the factors that influence HRQOL for married working women.
METHODS
The subjects of the study were 577 full-time working married women living in five province. The data were collected using a structured questionnaire, from April to September 2006.
RESULTS
As for the general characteristics, there was a statistically significant difference in the level of HRQOL(total) according to age, education, menopause, family income, leisure activities, residence, duration of marriage, number of children, firstborn age, household duties of husband, job, career, type of work, women's income, and purpose of working. The level of HRQOL showed a statistically significant difference according to BMI and behavioral factors except for caffeine intake and follow up health screening. The HRQOL were significantly correlated with depression, marital satisfaction and job satisfaction. The multiple regression analysis showed that the HRQOL were significantly predicted by depression, marital satisfaction, education, regular exercise, daily working hours and job satisfaction. These variables explained 48.5% of the variance of HRQOL. Depression was the main predictor of HRQOL.
CONCLUSION
It could be concluded that nursing intervention to reduce depression should be developed to promote the HRQOL for married working women.

PURPOSE
The purpose of this study was to explain the relationship between fatigue and other variables(perceived health status, marital adjustment and stress), and define the main factors influencing fatigue in middle aged women.
METHODS
Data were collected by self-reported questionnaires from 212 middle aged women. Data analysis was done with the SPSS 11.0 pc+ program for descriptive statistics, Pearson correlation coefficients and stepwise multiple regression.
RESULTS
The mean score of fatigue was 2.30(+/-0.46), perceived health status was 2.82(+/-0.68), marital adjustment was 2.86(+/-0.44), and stress was 2.43(+/-0.61). There were significant correlations between fatigue and the other variables(r=.56-.21, p=.00). The major factors that affect fatigue in middle aged women were stress, perceived health status, and marital adjustment, which explained 35.2% of fatigue.
CONCLUSION
These variables have an effect on middle aged women's fatigue. Therefore, these findings can provide the basis for the development of nursing interventions to manage fatigue.