This study was done to identify the relationships among family support, role conflict end Lii quality of life of patients with arthritis. And it was investigated the effects of family support on role conflict and the quality of their lives. The subjects were 98 patients with arthritis. The instruments used in this study were used Family Support Scale by Kang( 1985), Modified Quality of Life Scale by Ro(1988), and Role Conflict Scale developed by the researcher. The results of study were as follows : 1. Disease characteristics related to role conflict were pain iritensity( r = .35, p< .001) and limitation of activities of daily living(ADL)(r =37, p< .001). That related to quality of life was pain(r= -.27,p<.01). 2. There were no significant variations family support, role conflict and quality of life between rheumatoid arthritis and osteogenic arthritis patients. The patients with rheumatoid arthritis had more than twice the number of. affected joints as comparing to osteogenic arthrrt:s. But there were no differences the pain intensity and limitation of activity of ADL. 3. As applying to arthritis patients in general : There was a significant negative relationship between family support and role conflict(r=-.28, p<.01). There was a significant negative relationship between role conflict and quality of life(r= -.46, p<.01). There was a sigmfrcant positive re lationship between family supprt and quality of life(r=.58, p<.01). Family support, as an intervening variabe, had an impact on quality of life and role conflict. In conclusion, family support is an important variable in improving the quality of life of patients with arthritis. And especially role conflict has a significant influence on the quality of their lives, Therefore, we have to devehope nursing interventions for higher levels of family support through family education and support programs. In future studies, it would be well to investigate for effects and qualities of role conflict in the lives of patients with arthritis.
Activities of Daily Living ; Arthritis* ; Arthritis, Rheumatoid ; Education ; Family Conflict* ; Humans ; Joints ; Nursing ; Quality of Life*

BACKGROUND: Modifying risk factors and improving stroke awareness in the general community have been emphasized for preventing stroke. This study aimed to explore modifiable lifestyle risk factors and the awareness of stroke and to compare scores for stroke knowledge according to lifestyle risk factors and recognition of important indicators among adults in urban areas. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted with a total of 196 participants aged 40 to 65 selected by a convenient sampling of community cultural centers, churches, and recreational groups. Participants completed a structured questionnaire including general characteristics, risk factors of stroke, and awareness of stroke including general knowledge, risk factors, reactions to warning symptoms, and knowledge on personal risk factors of stroke such as body weight, blood pressure, blood sugar, and cholesterol level. RESULTS: Less than 30% of the participants engaged in regular physical activity and low fat diet and 33% of the participants were classified as having 'higher' level of knowledge on stroke. Knowledge on their personal risk factors of stroke were generally poor. Scores for knowledge on stroke were not different for lifestyle risk factors and knowing whether their body weight and blood pressure level were within normal limits. Meanwhile, scores for knowledge on stroke were significantly higher among those knowing whether their blood sugar and cholesterol level were within normal limits. CONCLUSIONS: There is a need to improve stroke awareness among community adults by providing more targeted information on warning symptoms, risk factors of stroke, and important indicators of major conditions related to stroke and their contribution to stroke prevention.
Adult ; Aged ; Blood Glucose ; Blood Pressure ; Body Weight ; Cholesterol ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; Diet ; Humans ; Life Style ; Motor Activity ; Primary Prevention ; Risk Factors ; Stroke

The purpose of the study was to identify the nursing diagnoses for aged persons in gerontological clinical practice of nursing students. In this study, a total of 101 cases including 36 cases of hospitalized elder, 33 cases of institutionalized elders, and 32 cases of community dwelling elders were used in case studies reported by nursing students. Descriptive statistics was employed to determine 370 nursing diagnoses in 101 cases. There were four findings. First, 47.5% of total 370 nursing diagnoses was 'risk for injury'. The next highest percentage of nursing diagnoses was 38.9%( powerless/hopelessness/self-esteem disturbance). Second, the most nursing diagnosis for hospitalized elders was 'knowledge deficit'(41.7%), and the next was 'risk for injury'(38.9%), and 'risk for impaired skin integrity'(27.8%). Third, for both institutionalized elders and community dwelling elders, the most nursing diagnosis was 'risk for injury', and the next was 'powerlessness/hopelessness/self-esteem disturbance', and 'activity intolerance/impaired physical immobility'. Fourth, the related factors of 'risk for injury' were low bone density, low balance, low visual and auditory ability, muscle atrophy, low cognitive function, danger environment, and knowledge deficit. the related factors of 'powerlessness/hopelessness/self-esteem disturbance' were low activity ability, social isolation, low motivation depression, change of daily pattern, decrease of memory, and disorientation. These findings have implications that risk for injury related to physical changes of aging is the most significant health problem of frail elders in diverse setting. In addition, emotional problems of powerless, hopelessness, and self-esteem disturbance are significant need to develop nursing intervention for frail elders in diverse setting.
Aged ; Aging ; Bone Density ; Depression ; Frail Elderly ; Humans ; Memory ; Motivation ; Muscular Atrophy ; Nursing Diagnosis* ; Nursing* ; Skin ; Social Isolation ; Students, Nursing*

The purpose of this study was to identify the degree knowledge of myocardial infarction(MI) among the general population and to provide a direction for developing public health education programs. The subjects for this study were 187 people who lived in Seoul or Wonju City, Korea. The data were collected by questionnaire from Nov. ito Dec.5, 1997. The questionnaire was developed by the researcher based on a literature review, It consisted of 34 items of which nine items were on .iology, ten items on preventive measures, ten items signs & symptoms, five items on pain area. Analysis the data was done using descriptive statistics, t-test and ANOVA with the SPSS PC program. The results of the study are as follows: 1. The scores for knowledge of etiology(5.94), preventive measures(7.13), signs & symptoms(5.33) and area of pain(1.62). The highest score for knowledge about MI was preventive measures. the lowest score was for area of pain. Almost half of the subjects were not aware that 'hyperglycemia'and 'fatigue'can cause a MI. Also more than half of the subjects were not aware that 'reduced high carbohydrated diet'can prevent ML So this study showed that the general population has a need for more information about the relationship of hyperglycemia to MI. Less than half of the subjects knew that 'alteration in sleep pattern(49.4%)'. 'nausea, vomiting. indigestion(36.4%)''pain in the area of radiation and not in the chest(24.2%)' are sign & symptom of MI. Most of the people are aware that pain will be College of Nursing, Yonsei University Department of Nursing, Wonju College of Medicine. Yonsei University Department of Nursing. College of Medicine. Dankook University slightly to the left of the sternum(733%) but were not aware that pain may also radiate to the shoulder or arm(74.8%), neck or teeth(90.6%) Also 35% of the subjects think there is no treatment for an MI after it has occurred. 2. In the relationship between social demographic characteristics and degree of knowledge, there were significant differences due to sex, education level, and marital status. 3. This study showed hat most subjects got their in formation about MI from T.V. and radio(62.7%), but the score for knowledge was not high. The following are suggested based on the above results 1) It is necessary to reinforce information about signs & symptoms, area of pain and treatment of MI in public education programs, because people who do not know that their symptoms represent a heart at tack will delay seeking care and medical attention, 2) Because there are significant differences between knowledge and demographic characteristic(sex. education level, marital status), it is necessary to develop effective health education programs to consider these characteristics. Also we need behavioral strategies to change lifestyle and prevent more people from entering the MI high risk group. 3) Patients are almost always frightened and fearful which can cause a fatal delay. Education should focus on the emotional reasons behind people's resistance to calling the emergency medical system. 4) Educational programs need to target the potential witnesses rather than the individuals who suffer cardiac symptoms, focusing on the independent role that family members should take in the face of cardiac symptoms. Families of high risk group members, particularly their spouses, should receive special education about handling changes in cardiac symptoms. 5) Further studies are needed to identify factors which can cause patients to delay seeking treatment and to investigate the adaptive coping strategies of MI patients & their families when they have signs & symptoms.
Education ; Education, Special ; Emergencies ; Gangwon-do ; Health Education ; Heart ; Humans ; Hyperglycemia ; Korea ; Life Style ; Marital Status ; Myocardial Infarction* ; Neck ; Nursing ; Public Health ; Seoul ; Shoulder ; Spouses ; Vomiting ; Surveys and Questionnaires

PURPOSE: To explore what particular types of information were important to patients diagnosed with cancer. METHODS: Seventy three patients with cancer at an outpatient clinic and hospitalized patients in W Christian Hospital Korea, responded. The structured questionnaire developed by the investigator based on previous studies. RESULTS: There was a significant negative relationship between age and the score of informational need (r=-.307, p<.05). Level of education, and level of monthly income were related to level of informational need. The top three informational priorities according to the time since diagnosis were 'Self care during treatment', 'Health food and diet', 'Likelihood of recurrence', 'Follow up care' and 'Side effects'. The top three informational priorities for patients with breast cancer were 'Likelihood of recurrence', 'Metastasis possibility', 'Treatment options', and 'Side effects. For patients with stomach cancer, they were 'Follow up care', 'Healthy food and diet', 'Likelihood of recurrence', and 'Metastasis possibility', and for patients with colon/rectal cancer, they were 'Side effects', 'Healthy food and diet', 'Likelihood of recurrence', and 'Self care during treatment'. CONCLUSION: The assessment of information needs based on demographic factors and disease-related factors is critical in helping patients with cancer to manage their illness.
Ambulatory Care Facilities ; Breast Neoplasms ; Demography ; Diagnosis ; Education ; Humans ; Korea* ; Research Personnel ; Stomach Neoplasms ; Surveys and Questionnaires

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to examine stress, coping, and immune response effects of a psychosocial intervention program based on the PNI model and Stress-Appraisal-Coping for Korean patients with breast cancer. METHODS: A nonequivalent control group pretest-posttest design was used. The participants who had survived breast cancer and lived in Wonju city and the surrounding area were assigned to an intervention group (N=21) or a control group(N=18).We conducted a 12-week intervention, 2 hours a day weekly, and measured the variables at baseline, six and twelve weeks later. Dependent variables are: stress, anxiety-depression and anger, and immune response. RESULTS: Patients in the psychosocial intervention program reported significantly less stress perception (U=31.500, p=.023), more problem solving ability and less problem avoidance in coping (U=20.500, p= .013; U=29.500, p=.040), and less anxiety-depression (U=22.000, p=.023). No difference, however, was found in anger and immune responses between the two groups. Intervention effects were evident at week 6 and 12 for anxiety-depression, and at week 6 for problem avoidance in coping, the same time that NK cell counts and the T8 decreased. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggested positive effects of a psychosocial intervention program. However, the results are inconclusive due to the small sample.
Stress, Psychological/etiology/*therapy ; *Social Support ; Middle Aged ; Humans ; Female ; Breast Neoplasms/*psychology ; Adult ; *Adaptation, Psychological

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of a 2-week somatosensory stimulation program on cognitive function and ADL of patients with brain damage. METHODS: The sample consisted of two groups of patients with stroke: 10 patients with a mean age of 59.0 years who were treated with somatosensory stimulation, and 9 patients with a mean age of 51.78 years, who were not treated with somatosensory intervention. A nonequivalent control group non-synchronized design was used to assess the functional recovery after stroke. Instruments used in this study were MMSE-K for cognitive function and FIM for ADL. RESULTS: The hypothesis 1 that "Patients with stroke who were treated with the somatosensory stimulation program will show higher MMSE-K score than that of the non-treatment group" was supported(Z = -2.390, p = .017). The hypothesis 2 that "Patients with stroke who were treated with the somatosensory stimulation program will show higher FIM score than that of the non-treatment group", however, was partially supported(social cognition: Z = -2.204, p = .045). CONCLUSION: Somatosensory stimulation was effective to patients with stroke in improving their cognitive function. These findings suggest that somatosensory input can be adopted to nursing intervention for functional recovery after stroke.
Activities of Daily Living ; Brain ; Humans ; Stroke

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of a 2-week somatosensory stimulation program on cognitive function and ADL of patients with brain damage. METHODS: The sample consisted of two groups of patients with stroke: 10 patients with a mean age of 59.0 years who were treated with somatosensory stimulation, and 9 patients with a mean age of 51.78 years, who were not treated with somatosensory intervention. A nonequivalent control group non-synchronized design was used to assess the functional recovery after stroke. Instruments used in this study were MMSE-K for cognitive function and FIM for ADL. RESULTS: The hypothesis 1 that "Patients with stroke who were treated with the somatosensory stimulation program will show higher MMSE-K score than that of the non-treatment group" was supported(Z = -2.390, p = .017). The hypothesis 2 that "Patients with stroke who were treated with the somatosensory stimulation program will show higher FIM score than that of the non-treatment group", however, was partially supported(social cognition: Z = -2.204, p = .045). CONCLUSION: Somatosensory stimulation was effective to patients with stroke in improving their cognitive function. These findings suggest that somatosensory input can be adopted to nursing intervention for functional recovery after stroke.
Activities of Daily Living ; Brain ; Humans ; Stroke

Nurses play an important role in patient education, including providing patients with useful and appropriate information. The purpose of this study was to explore what particular types of information were important to women diagnosed with breast cancer. Sixty seven women with breast cancer an outpatient clinic in W Christian Hospital responded to the structured questionnaires developed by the investigator. Interviews and mail surveys were used in this study. The findings in this study showed that six kinds of information needs arose, ranked as the signs and symptoms of recurrence, the possibility of recurrence, the possibility of metastasis, treatment, diet and physical activities in daily living. Marital status, level of education, and level of monthly income were not related to level of informational need. Younger women rather than older women had a greater need to seek information(r=-.471, p<.01). There was a significantly negative relationship between duration of disease and the score on information needs(r=-.32, p<.05). The findings have implications that the opportunity to ask questions and have accurate information on the recurrence should be provided to women with breast cancer.
Ambulatory Care Facilities ; Breast Neoplasms* ; Breast* ; Diet ; Education ; Female ; Humans ; Marital Status ; Motor Activity ; Neoplasm Metastasis ; Patient Education as Topic ; Postal Service ; Recurrence ; Research Personnel ; Surveys and Questionnaires

PURPOSE: This descriptive study was undertaken to explore the distribution of stages of mammography adoption and identify benefits and barriers perceived by women according to the stage of mammography adoption. METHODS: A total of 227 women aged between 30-60 was selected by the convenient sampling in W city. The instrument developed by the researcher based on the scales of Champion(1993), Champion & Skinner(2003), and Rakowski et al (1992) was used. RESULTS: The distribution of stages of mammography adoption was as following; precontemplation 30.7%, contemplation 23.8%, relapse 20.2%, action 14.4%, and maintenance 10.8%. Women in maintenance and actors showed high scores in benefits and low scores in barriers. Those in relapse reported high scores in both benefits and barriers, while precontemplators and contemplators showed high score in barriers and low scores in benefits. CONCLUSION: Despite the rate of mammography participation has increased, the proportion of maintenance stage is still low and that of relapse is high. For those in relapse, strategies to eliminate barriers hindering regular and continuous mammography are necessary. For precontemplators and contemplators, detail information including purpose, procedure and benefits of mammography should be given primarily.
Adult* ; Female ; Humans ; Mammography* ; Recurrence ; Weights and Measures