BACKGROUND: The Korean traditional national holidays commonly produce several physical symptoms related to stress. This study was performed to evaluate the degree of the stress from the married women during their Korean traditional biggest holidays. METHODS: The subjects were 99 married women who had visited the Health Promotion Center at a university hospital. For evaluating the stress of the Korean traditional biggest holidays, subjects were allowed to write in subjective stress score based on the Social Readjustment Rating Scale. The factors associated with the stress were investigated. RESULTS: The mean (+/- SD) score of the married women's stress of the Korean traditional biggest holidays was 38.7 (+/- 21.9). The score was widely distributed from the 0 to 100. The cases with hobbies to cope with stress showed significantly (P < 0.05) lower stress score than those without hobby. The stress score was inversely correlated with family APGAR score (r = -0.346, P < 0.01). In stepwise multiple regression model, the stress score was related to family APGAR score and hobby to cope with stress (overall R2 = 0.171, P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: The stress score of the Korean traditional biggest holidays was widely distributed from 0 to 100 in Korean married women. These results suggest that traditional biggest holidays act as a stressor for individual with a range of variable extent.
Apgar Score ; Female ; Health Promotion ; Hobbies ; Holidays ; Humans ; Phosphatidylethanolamines

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to investigate the level of resilience and related factors in patients with Parkinson's disease (PD) in Korea. METHODS: Data were obtained from 148 patients using the Resilience Scale (RS), Beck's Depression Inventory (BDI), and Spielberger's Anxiety Inventory (AI). RESULTS: The mean scores of the RS, BDI, and AI were 127.7+/-21.6, 12.9+/-9.3, and 41.9+/-11.1, respectively. The RS score was strongly correlated with the BDI score (r=-.531, p<.001) and the AI (r=-.572, p<.001). The resilience was significantly revealed by household income (F=4.002, p=.009) and presence of a hobby (t=-3.300, p=.001). In addition, resilience was significantly correlated with age of disease onset (r=.164, p=.046), years of living with PD (r=-.262, p=.001), and the length of treatment with levodopa (r=-.283, p<.001). From the stepwise multiple regression analysis, the most important factors related to the RS score were the AI score, household income, and length of treatment with levodopa. CONCLUSION: Understanding these factors is essential for developing effective interventions to improve resilience in patients with PD.
Anxiety ; Depression ; Family Characteristics ; Hobbies ; Humans ; Korea ; Levodopa ; Parkinson Disease

BACKGROUND: Adolesoents experience many physical, psychological and social stresses. It is well known that there is a strong relationship between stress and illness. It has been told that good health goes with good health habits. We examine the relationship between several health habits and stress in adolescents. METHODS: We surveyed adolescents and their parents who visited an adolescent clinic in a general hospital for 8 manths. Structured questionnaires about status of several health habits and BEPSI(The Brief Encounterr Psychosocial Instrument) score were used. BEPSI is a quick stress measure that is composed of several items. RESULTS: This study included 486 adolescents and their 486 parents. Average number of good health habits was 3.2+/-1.7 and average BEPSI score was 2.1+/-0.6. The group that had more good health habits tended to mark lower BEPSI scores(p<0.05). There was a significant relationship between stress and each habit except sleep time of more than 7hrs, regular exercise and hobby. Smoker group and alcohol drinker group showed higher BEPSI scores, respectively. The conversation time between parents and adolescents had a significant relationship with BEPSI scores. CONCLUSIONS: Several health habits were significantly connected with stress in adolescents. We can assume that good health habits and conversation with their parents are important in the management of stress in adolescents.
Adolescent* ; Hobbies ; Hospitals, General ; Humans ; Parents ; Surveys and Questionnaires

OBJECTIVE: This study was conducted to compare the job characteristics (work demand, decision latitude, and job insecurity) and psychosocial stress levels of typical workers in the parent firm, to those of atypical workers in subcontracted firms. In addition the risk factors for psychosocial stress of atypical workers are evaluated. METHOD: The study design was cross-sectional, and 1,713 shipbuilding workers (681; typical workers, 1,032; atypical workers) were recruited. A structured-questionnaire was used to assess the general characteristics, job characteristics and psychosocial stress levels. We used the chi-square test for univariate and multiple regression analyses. RESULTS: In univariate analyses, there were significant differences in smoking, hobby, insufficient sleeping, work hours per week, quitting, unemployment, job demand, job decision latitude and job insecurity. The job strain was significantly higher in the atypical workers than in the typical workers. The proportion of iso-strain groups was significantly greater in the atypical workers than typical workers. Using psychosocial stress as the dependent variable, multiple regression models were estimated. After adjustment for sociodemographic factors, unemployment, quitting, employment type, job demand, job decision latitude and job insecurity were all found to be significantly associated with psychosocial stress. CONCLUSION: This result suggests that the psychosocial stress of atypical workers is related to job characteristics such as job insecurity and labor flexibility.
Employment ; Hobbies ; Humans ; Parents ; Pliability ; Risk Factors ; Smoke ; Smoking ; Unemployment

This study was attempted to explore meaning in life and it's relationship to problematic life events, health status and depression among older people. 198samples of elderly were over the age 60 (mean age=70.06) conveniently selected in Seoul, Korea. The data were collected through questionaires by interview with subjects from April, 1, 1999 to May 30, 1999. The research instuments were the main framework in the experiment. They involved meaning fulfillment and problematic life events which were developed by Burbank (1988) and short form geriatric depression scale(Sheikh & Yesavage, 1986). The data were analysed by SAS Program. The results are followed; 1. 172 lists were given out and had objects that would bring meaning to one's life. They were categrized as wishing for offsprings' prosperity, their relation with their grand-children, marriage of their offspring, health of family members, strong family ties, caring for the family, relation with husband, health for self, religious activity, helping others, individual hobbies, needs for growth such as writing, In the end, 50% of total list dealt with in the relationship with their family members. 2. The mean fulfillment of the subjects was 38.31(SD=13.58) with a range of 12-60. The degree fulfillment varied according to the subjects' characteristics such as age group(F=4.44, 0P=.0008), education status (F=6.44, P=.0001), economic status (F=10.27, P=.0001), marrital status (F=9.12, P=.0002) and religious background (F=3.68, P=.006). 3. According to the pearson correlation, analysis significant variables were found between meaning fulfillment and health(r=.47,P=.0001), depression and the number of problematic life events for a life time (r=.147, P=.04), the stress score of problamatic life events for the past one year and the stress score of problematic life events for a life time was r=.43, P=.002, meaning fulfillment and the stress score of problamatic life events r=-.26, P=.04, depression and meaning fulfillment r=-.70, P=.0001 and depression and health r=-.521, P=.0001. 4. According to multiful regression analysis, depression was found as a most predictable variable for health(F=12.51, P=.001).
Aged* ; Depression ; Education ; Hobbies ; Humans ; Korea ; Marriage ; Seoul ; Spouses ; Writing

This study was attempted to explore meaning in life and it's relationship to problematic life events, health status and depression among older people. 198samples of elderly were over the age 60 (mean age=70.06) conveniently selected in Seoul, Korea. The data were collected through questionaires by interview with subjects from April, 1, 1999 to May 30, 1999. The research instuments were the main framework in the experiment. They involved meaning fulfillment and problematic life events which were developed by Burbank (1988) and short form geriatric depression scale(Sheikh & Yesavage, 1986). The data were analysed by SAS Program. The results are followed; 1. 172 lists were given out and had objects that would bring meaning to one's life. They were categrized as wishing for offsprings' prosperity, their relation with their grand-children, marriage of their offspring, health of family members, strong family ties, caring for the family, relation with husband, health for self, religious activity, helping others, individual hobbies, needs for growth such as writing, In the end, 50% of total list dealt with in the relationship with their family members. 2. The mean fulfillment of the subjects was 38.31(SD=13.58) with a range of 12-60. The degree fulfillment varied according to the subjects' characteristics such as age group(F=4.44, 0P=.0008), education status (F=6.44, P=.0001), economic status (F=10.27, P=.0001), marrital status (F=9.12, P=.0002) and religious background (F=3.68, P=.006). 3. According to the pearson correlation, analysis significant variables were found between meaning fulfillment and health(r=.47,P=.0001), depression and the number of problematic life events for a life time (r=.147, P=.04), the stress score of problamatic life events for the past one year and the stress score of problematic life events for a life time was r=.43, P=.002, meaning fulfillment and the stress score of problamatic life events r=-.26, P=.04, depression and meaning fulfillment r=-.70, P=.0001 and depression and health r=-.521, P=.0001. 4. According to multiful regression analysis, depression was found as a most predictable variable for health(F=12.51, P=.001).
Aged* ; Depression ; Education ; Hobbies ; Humans ; Korea ; Marriage ; Seoul ; Spouses ; Writing

PURPOSE: This study was conducted to identify the impacts of stroke patients' general and disease-related properties on depression and family support. METHODS: Subjects consisted of 79 persons who were diagnosed with cerebral hemorrhage and cerebral infarction and met the criteria for selection. The Korean version of Beck depression inventory (BDI) and a revision of the family support developed by Cobb were used. Frequency analysis of the subjects' general and medical history properties was conducted, and one way ANOVA was utilized to evaluate the degree of depression and family support with respect to the properties. Pearson's correlation coefficient was conducted to investigate the degree of depression and family support. RESULTS: Participants showed no significant difference in depression based on the subjects' general and disease-related properties (p>0.05), although there were significant differences in family support based on marital status, hobbies and the medical expenses payers (p<0.05). The correlation between family support and depression was r=-0.491 (p<0.01). CONCLUSION: Through the results of this study, it was found that general and disease-related properties would not have any impact on depression while they would affect family support.
Cerebral Hemorrhage ; Cerebral Infarction ; Depression* ; Hobbies ; Humans ; Marital Status ; Stroke*

BACKGROUND: Job holders are groups that have suffered from chronic stressful condition. Nowadays, occupational stress are increasing due to Korean economic crisis. Therefore, this study was designed to evaluate the stress scores of several kinds of jobs, the relationship between the amount of stress and mental health status, factors associated with stress. METHODS: Among workers who had visited a medical college hospital, Taejeon, Korea, for regular health evaluation from April 1 to June 30 1998, we selected 50 clerks, 50 industrial workers, 50 professionals, 50 service or salesmen and 50 public servants in the survey. A total of 159 workers were evaluated as subjects excluding those who had answered in adequately to the questionnaire. Stress scores were measured by Korean-translated BEPSI(Brief Encounter Psychosocial Instrument) and Bae Jong Myun's 30-items SRRQ(Social Readjustment Rating Questionnaire). Mental health status were checked by Korean-translated SCL-90-R(Symptom checklist-90-Revision). RESULTS: The average BEPSI score of workers was 2.07+/-0.72. The mean score of female workers was 2.27+/-.70 and it was obviously higher than male worker's score of 1.85+/-.66. 20-29 year age group and over 40 year age group's amount of stress were obviously higher than 30-39 year age group. The low education level group had higher stress score than those with high education level but the amount of stress showed no significant difference in the monthly income, job tenure, number of family members to support, hobby and religion. According to occupation, clerks, industrial workers, service or salesmen's stress scores were higher than those of professional or public servants. CONCLUSIONS: This investigation has showed that there is a correlation between the amount of job holder's stress and mental health including somatimtian, obsessive-compulsive, interpersonal sensitivity, depression, anxiety, hostility, phobic anxiety, paranoid ideation and psychotism Therefore, we conclude that the best way to stay in good menta
Anxiety ; Daejeon ; Depression ; Education ; Female ; Hobbies ; Hostility ; Humans ; Korea ; Male ; Mental Health* ; Occupations ; Surveys and Questionnaires

Social readjustment is very important in rehabilitation of stroke survivors. The purpose of this study was to examine the level of social readjustment and related factors in stroke survivors. Especially, to find the most useful predictor for social readjustment is a major point of this research. The study included 254 outpatients who were given follow-up care after discharge from. Occupational rehabilitation and resumption of the perceived meaningful social activity prios to the stroke were used to measure social readjustment. The resumptions of first meaningful social activity was the best predictor for life satisfaction in stroke survivors(r=.245, p<.01). The substance of perceived meaningful social activities were job, meeting with friends, hobby and activities for the family. The sum of meaningful social activities (r=.175, p<.01) and occupational rehabilitation (r=.116, p<.05) were significantly related to life satisfaction. There were significant difference in IADL, depression and life satisfaction according to resumption of meaningful social activity. But, occupational rehabilitation was not related to depression. The level of social readjustment was different between occupational rehabilitation and resumption of meaningful social activity. It was 45.7% in the first meaningful social activity and 36.6% in occupational rehabilitation. The related factors with resumption of the first meaningful social activity were that of IADL, depression, illness intrusiveness and cognitive function. And the level of IADL, illness intrusiveness, cognitive function, and age were significantly related to occupational rehabilitation. In conclusion, we suggest that the resumption of the first meaningful activity in stroke survivors is the best predictor of social rehabilitation. Thus, nurses need to work for resumption of meaningful activity as well as occupational rehabilitation.
Depression ; Follow-Up Studies ; Friends ; Hobbies ; Humans ; Outpatients ; Rehabilitation ; Stroke* ; Survivors*

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to identify relationships of resilience, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder(PTSD), and quality of life of breast cancer patients. The findings from this study would provide baseline data needed for nursing intervention. METHODS: A sample of 129 breast cancer patients was recruited from three hospitals in J and C cities in Korea. The survey was conducted with participants by utilizing self-reported questionnaires. RESULTS: Quality of life showed statistically significant differences on religion (t=2.11, p=.033) and hobby (t=2.79, p=.006). Resilience and PTSD had a negative correlation (r=-.22, p=.010). Resilience and quality of life of the participants had a positive correlation (r=.58, p<.001), whereas PTSD and quality of life had a negative correlation (r=-.45, p<.001). Significant predictors of quality of life were resilience and PTSD. These variables explained 44.9% of the variance in quality of life. CONCLUSION: Findings indicate that as resilience of breast cancer patients rose higher and PTSD got lower, their quality of life increased. Based on these results, nursing interventions directed towards improving resilience and relieving PTSD is proposed.
Breast Neoplasms* ; Breast* ; Hobbies ; Humans ; Korea ; Nursing ; Quality of Life* ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic*