PURPOSE: This study was conducted to examine the differences in organizational commitment, nursing organization culture, and job satisfaction of Korean nurses employed in Korea and the United States, and to determine how these variables were associated with selected study characteristics. METHODS: An exploratory cross-sectional study was performed with a convenience sample of 357 nurses from Korea and the U.S. Data were collected by using a web site survey and self-reported questionnaire. Descriptive statistics, t-tests, ANOVA, and Pearson's correlation coefficients were used for data analysis. RESULTS: In comparison to Korean American nurses (KAN), Korean nurses (KN) were younger, single, worked more time, took a charge role or higher, and had less turnover experience. After controlling for age and marital status, nursing organization culture and job satisfaction of KN were significantly lower than those of KAN, respectively (F= -26.02, p<.001; F= -4.87, p=.028). Significant relationships among selected socio-demo-health and work-related characteristics and the three variables were higher for KN. CONCLUSION: Higher organizational commitment and nursing organization culture from all Korean nurses were related their perceived high level of job satisfaction. Recommendations for further study include exploring a larger sample size of a variety of different types of nursing organizations and staff as well.
Asian Americans ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; Humans ; Job Satisfaction* ; Korea ; Marital Status ; Nursing* ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Sample Size ; Statistics as Topic ; United States

PURPOSE: This study was conducted to do preliminary report of differences and similarities between Koreans residing in Korea and Korean Americans residing in America regarding their awareness of end-of-life care, attitudes toward advance care planning, truth telling, and preferred decision-making model. METHODS: Two participating groups were selected: a) Koreans residing in Korea, and b) Koreans Americans who had resided in the United States for at least 20 years. 25 Koreans and 23 Korean Americans who were older than 65 years old participated in this study. They were asked via a self-administered questionnaire that contained demographic questions and questions about end-of-life decision making regarding awareness of end-of-life care, attitudes toward advance care planning, truth telling, and preferred decision-making model. A Chi-square was used to measure differences between Koreans' and Korean Americans planning. A P value of less than 0.5 was considered significant. Data analysis was performed using SPSS 18.0. RESULTS: In some aspects of awareness of end of life care, attitudes toward advance care planning, and truth telling, both groups had similar opinions. However, there were significant differences between groups in the necessity of end of life documentation, preferential informing the truth, and preferred decision making model. CONCLUSION: There were similarities and differences regarding some end of life issues between the Koreans and the Korean Americans.
Advance Care Planning* ; Americas ; Asian Americans* ; Decision Making ; Hospice Care ; Humans ; Korea ; Republic of Korea ; Statistics as Topic ; Terminal Care ; United States ; Surveys and Questionnaires

PURPOSE: The objective of this study was to investigate the degree of depression in Korean American immigrants according to their characteristics. METHODS: This descriptive correlation study conducted visit-surveys with organized questionnaires and sampled 330 Korean American immigrants living in Houston, Seattle and New York areas. SCL-90 was used to measure the degree of depression. Data was analyzed by t-tests, ANOVA, Pearson's correlation coefficients and multiple regression analysis using SPSS/WIN 14.0. RESULTS: Findings revealed that; 1) the degree of depression in Korean American immigrants according to their characteristics were significantly different in age, occupation, immigration life satisfaction, and health status; 2) Pearson's correlation revealed a significant association among depression, immigrant life stress, self esteem, and quality of life; 3) multi regression analysis showed immigrant life stress, self esteem, and quality of life significantly influenced depression in Korean American immigrants. CONCLUSION: Based on the findings of this study, health professionals should provide proper management of depression as well as its influencing factors, namely, immigrant life stress, self esteem, and quality of life especially for new immigrant populations.
Asian Americans* ; Depression* ; Emigrants and Immigrants* ; Emigration and Immigration ; Health Occupations ; Humans ; Occupations ; Quality of Life ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Self Concept ; Statistics as Topic ; Stress, Psychological

PURPOSE: The objective of this study was to investigate the degree of depression in Korean American immigrants according to their characteristics. METHODS: This descriptive correlation study conducted visit-surveys with organized questionnaires and sampled 330 Korean American immigrants living in Houston, Seattle and New York areas. SCL-90 was used to measure the degree of depression. Data was analyzed by t-tests, ANOVA, Pearson's correlation coefficients and multiple regression analysis using SPSS/WIN 14.0. RESULTS: Findings revealed that; 1) the degree of depression in Korean American immigrants according to their characteristics were significantly different in age, occupation, immigration life satisfaction, and health status; 2) Pearson's correlation revealed a significant association among depression, immigrant life stress, self esteem, and quality of life; 3) multi regression analysis showed immigrant life stress, self esteem, and quality of life significantly influenced depression in Korean American immigrants. CONCLUSION: Based on the findings of this study, health professionals should provide proper management of depression as well as its influencing factors, namely, immigrant life stress, self esteem, and quality of life especially for new immigrant populations.
Asian Americans* ; Depression* ; Emigrants and Immigrants* ; Emigration and Immigration ; Health Occupations ; Humans ; Occupations ; Quality of Life ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Self Concept ; Statistics as Topic ; Stress, Psychological

This cross-sectional study examined the relationships between household smoking restrictions and intentions to quit smoking among Korean American male smokers in California. We used data from the California Korean American Tobacco Use Survey (CKATUS), which was conducted in 2004 using computer-assisted telephone interviewing. Among the 2,545 respondents who participated in the CKATUS, the 387 male smokers who answered a question assessing their intention to quit smoking were included in the final analyses. In univariable analyses, smokers who reported having household smoking restrictions were more likely to intend to quit smoking as compared with those who did not (P<0.01). Other independent correlates of having an intention to quit smoking were being less than 50 yr of age, having spent more than 50% of one's life in the US, being assimilated, and having other smokers in the household. In a multiple logistic regression analysis, the significant correlates of having an intention to quit smoking were household smoking restrictions (complete or partial restriction vs. no restriction on smoking; odds ratio, 2.54; 95% confidence interval, 1.22-5.28) and absence of other smokers in the household. In conclusion, smoking restrictions in the household are associated with an intention to quit smoking among Korean American male smokers in California.
Adolescent ; Adult ; Asian Americans ; California ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; Humans ; Interviews as Topic ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Regression Analysis ; Smoking/*prevention & control ; Smoking Cessation/*statistics & numerical data

PURPOSE: We evaluated changes in and factors affecting second-hand smoke (SHS) exposure in a panel study of nonsmokers. METHODS: This study was based on data from a larger study of tobacco use among a representative sample of adults of Korean descent residing in California. Participants included 846 males and 1,399 females who were nonsmokers at baseline (2005-2006) and at follow-up (2007-2009). Participants were selected by probability sampling and were interviewed by telephone. RESULTS: At baseline, 50.0% were exposed to any SHS, and at follow-up 2 years later, 60.4% were exposed to any SHS (p < .001). SHS exposure at baseline was associated with acculturation, employment, spousal smoking, and having a friend who smoked (p < .001). Employment, spousal smoking, and other family members smoking were associated with SHS at follow-up (p < .001). The odds ratio of SHS in the employed group declined from 2.01 at baseline to 1.53 at follow-up, that of the group having a smoking spouse increased from 1.88 to 2.36, and that of the group having other family members smoking increased from 1.20 to 1.69. CONCLUSIONS: We showed that SHS exposure increased among Korean American nonsmokers in California, and the most important variables explaining the change in SHS exposure involved smoking among others with whom the subject is associated. These findings could be used as objective evidence for developing public health policies to reduce SHS exposure.
Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Asian Americans/*statistics & numerical data ; California/epidemiology ; Environmental Exposure/*statistics & numerical data ; Family ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Republic of Korea/ethnology ; Residence Characteristics ; Risk Factors ; Social Environment ; Tobacco Smoke Pollution/*statistics & numerical data ; Workplace ; Young Adult

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to determine if there were significant differences in glenohumeral joint morphology between North American and East Asian populations that may influence sizing and selection of shoulder arthroplasty systems. METHODS: Computed tomography reconstructions of 92 North American and 58 East Asian patients were used to perform 3-dimensional measurements. The proximal humeral position was normalized in all patients by aligning it with the scapular plane utilizing anatomic landmarks. Measurements were performed on the humerus and scapula and included coronal and axial humeral head radius, humeral neck shaft and articular arc angles, glenoid height and width, and critical shoulder angle. Glenohumeral relationships were also measured and included lateral distance to the greater tuberosity and acromion, abduction lever arm, and acromial index. Parametric and nonparametric statistical analyses were used to compare population metrics. RESULTS: East Asian glenohumeral measurements were significantly smaller for all linear metrics (p < 0.05), with the exception of acromial length, which was greater than in the North American cohort (p < 0.001). The increase in acromial length affected all measurements involving the acromion including abduction lever arms. No difference was found between the neck shaft and articular angular measurements. CONCLUSIONS: The East Asian population exhibited smaller shoulder morphometrics than their North American cohort, with the exception of an extended acromial overhang. The morphologic data can provide some additional factors to consider when choosing an optimal shoulder implant for the East Asian population, in addition to creating future designs that may better accommodate this population.
African Americans/*statistics & numerical data ; Aged ; Anthropometry ; Asian Continental Ancestry Group/*statistics & numerical data ; European Continental Ancestry Group/*statistics & numerical data ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Prosthesis Design ; Republic of Korea/epidemiology ; Shoulder/*anatomy & histology ; Shoulder Joint/*anatomy & histology ; Shoulder Prosthesis ; United States/epidemiology

PURPOSE: Korean American women have twice the rate of cervical cancer than white women and demonstrate low rates in participation in cervical cancer screening. This study was to describe the perceptions about cervical cancer and factors related to cervical cancer screening among Korean American women. METHOD: Focus group methods. RESULT: Five themes emerged. First, knowledge about cervical cancer; misconceptions about cervical cancer, its causes, reproductive anatomy and the treatment Second, perceived meanings of having cervical cancer; most of the women felt that cervical cancer represented a loss of femininity and existential value of womanhood. Third, knowledge about cervical cancer screening ; regular medical check-ups were necessary for early detection and prevention of cervical cancer. Forth, experiences and perceived meanings of cervical cancer screening; the participants expressed their feelings; embarrassment, fear, shame and shyness. Fifth, practices of cervical cancer screening; various intervals in participating in cervical cancer screening. But they mentioned several deterrents, language, insurance, time constraint, embarrassment, fear of the screening results, misbelief about susceptibility, lack of health prevention behavior, and lack of information written in Korean. CONCLUSION: Results emphasize the critical need for culturally appropriate health education to encourage participation of Korean American women in cervical cancer screening.
Adult ; Aged ; *Asian Americans/education/ethnology/statistics & numerical data ; Communication Barriers ; Existentialism/psychology ; Fear/psychology ; Female ; Focus Groups ; Gender Identity ; *Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice ; Humans ; Korea/ethnology ; *Mass Screening/psychology/utilization ; Middle Aged ; Needs Assessment ; Nursing Methodology Research ; Patient Acceptance of Health Care/*ethnology/statistics & numerical data ; Patient Education as Topic/standards ; Qualitative Research ; Questionnaires ; Shame ; Shyness ; Socioeconomic Factors ; Uterine Cervical Neoplasms/*diagnosis/ethnology ; *Vaginal Smears/psychology/utilization ; Washington/epidemiology