PURPOSE: The purpose of this study is to survey health requirements of middle-aged women and their families and to provide guidelines for developing nursing interventions by describing the process of family health maintenance experienced by middle-aged women and its conceptual system. METHODS: To get saturated data, each of four researchers conducted two or three times of in-depth interview with eight middle-aged women aged between 40-64 years old and living in Seoul and Chuncheon from the 10th to the 30th of October 2004 and each interview was continued one or two hours. The Grounded theory adopted by Strauss & Corbin (1998) is a substantive theory that can explain the experiencing process of middle-aged women. RESULTS: We found that the casual condition of family health maintaining by middle-aged women was "confidence of health belief", and "pouring by body moving" was found to be its phenomenon. A textual condition that might respond to the phenomenon was "fatal roles acceptance", and intervening conditions that promote their family health were "retracing" and "gathering health information". These intervening conditions impacted middle-aged women's confidence in family health and led them to take actions/interactions such as "being a model of health", "adapting to circumstances", "do-it-myself", "taking-care" "harmonious mind" and "the pursuit of cleanness". These actions/interactions produced results such as "being stronger", "being unmanageable" and "being fruitful". CONCLUSIONS: Health confidence and practical health behaviors were observed in the process that the middle-aged female participants experienced unmanageable circumstances but they accepted their roles and responsibilities and recognized that they must be get stronger. The behaviors of health-together-with were divided into enthusiastic type, adaptation type and self-sacrificing type. Therefore middle-aged woman with the understanding of family health maintaining process as well as the theoretical system and practical principals needs to implement the intervention in acceptable level of family health process of preventing psychological and physical problems.
Family Health* ; Female ; Gangwon-do ; Health Behavior ; Humans ; Nursing ; Seoul

This study was designed to identify the relationship between perceived pain, family support and quality of life in patients with ankylosing spondylitis. The purpose of this study was to contribute to the theoretical understanding of the relationship of these three variables and eventually to more effective adaptation of patients to their situation. The subjects for this study were the 68 patients who had been diagnosed with ankylsing spondylitis and registered as out-patients in the Rheumatism Center of one university hospital in Seoul. The data were collected during the period from October 10, 1997 to December 20, 1997. Pain was measured using the perceived pain scale(VAS: Visual Analog Scale)developed by Calin(1993), family support using the scale developed by Kang Hyun Suk(1985) and Quality of Life using the scale developed by Ro Yoo Ja(1988). The data were analyzed by descriptive statistics, Frequencies, Pearson correlation, using the SPSS program. The results of this can be summarized as followings. 1. The mean perceived pain score was 5.13 with a range of 2 to 10. 2. The mean perceived family support score was 41.08+/-5.34 with a range of 20 to 50. 3. The mean perceived quality of life score was 134.07+/-19.82 with a range of 83 to 176. 4. Significant statistical difference was found between family support and quality of life(r=.331, p<0.001). A significant negative statistical difference was found between the family support and quality of life and pain(r=-.250, p<0.05, r=-.460, p<0.001). 5. General characteristics related to pain were exercise(t=4.72, p<0.0006). 6. General characteristics related to family support were age(F=2.65, p<0.0246), educational level(F=2.84, p<0.0282) and exercise(t=3.24, p<0.0452). 7. General characteristics related to quality of life were educational level(F=3.03, p<0.0392) and exercise(t=3.12, p<0.0465). It was found that the higher the level perceived pain, the lower the degree of perceived family support and the quality of life. It was also fund that the higher the degree of perceived family support the higher the degree of perceived quality of life. Accordingly, the conclusions from this study are that reduction of pain is achieved through the family support. Therefore, it is proposed that family support is an appropriate nursing intervention to improve the quality of life of patients with anklosing spondylitis.
Financial Management ; Humans ; Nursing ; Outpatients ; Quality of Life ; Rheumatic Diseases ; Seoul ; Spondylitis ; Spondylitis, Ankylosing*

The purpose of this study was to contribute to maternal nursing in early postpartum stage and to neonatal nursing. Data were collected through self-report questionnaires which were constructed to include parental role stress scale, state- trait anxiety scale, and perception of the newborn scale. The subjects consisted of 100 mothers in the early postpartum stage at three hospitals in the Kyoung-In area, from November 8 to December 26, 1997. The data were analyzed by an SPSS program. The results are follows: 1. The mean of parental role stress of mothers in the early postpartum stage was 10.70+/-2.63. The means of stage anxiety and trait anxiety of mothers were 36.29+/-8.45 and 38.53+/-8.36. The mean of perception of the newborn was 2.65+/-5.05, and 59% of mothers rated their newborn as better than the average newborn. 2. The level of parental role stress correlated to the level of state anxiety and trait anxiety. The level of state anxiety and trait anxiety were also related. The level of perception of the newborn was related to the level of state anxiety and trait anxiety. 3. Mothers who did not want the pregnancy, whose newborn were girls, and who already had one child had higher state anxiety than those who did not. Mothers who already had one child, and whose newborn had no specific signs had higher trait anxiety than those who did not. Mothers who professed a religions had a higher perception of the newborn than those who did not. The above findings indicate that the levels of parental role stress, state anxiety, trait anxiety and perception of the newborn of mothers in early postpartum stage were correlated. Therefore nursing intervention for reducing stress and anxiety, and improving perception of the newborn should be provided for mothers in early postpartum stage.
Anxiety* ; Child ; Female ; Humans ; Infant, Newborn* ; Mothers ; Neonatal Nursing ; Nursing ; Parents ; Postpartum Period* ; Pregnancy ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Statistics as Topic*

The purpose of this study was to contribute to neonatal nursing and maternal nursing to reduce parental role stress in mothers of preterm babies and to improve perception of the newborn to by the parents. Data were collected through self-report questionnaires which were consisted of a parental role stress scale and a neonatal perception inventory. The subjects were 100 mothers of fullterm babies and 50 mothers of preterm babies, all in the early postpartum stage and admitted to three hospitals I the Kyoung-In area between November 8 1997 and May 30, 1998. The data were analyzed by a SPSS program and the results are as follows : 1. There were no significantly differences in the means for parental role stress between mothers of fullterm babies and preterm babies. The mean for perception of the newborn was significantly lower in mothers of preterm babies than in mothers of fullterm babies. 2. In mothers of preterm babies, the level of parental role stress was correlated to the one minute Apgar score. The level of perception of the newborn was correlated to gestational age and birth weight. 3. The mothers of preterm babies whose education level was above graduation from college had lower parental role stress than those who had a lowers level of education. The mothers who had experienced cesarean section had higher parental role stress than those who gave birth to their baby prematurely. The above findings indicate that mothers of preterm babies had lower perception of the newborn than mothers of fullterm babies. Therefore, nursing intervention should be provided for mothers of preterm babies to manage parental role stress and improve perception of the newborn.
Apgar Score ; Birth Weight ; Cesarean Section ; Education ; Female ; Gestational Age ; Humans ; Infant, Newborn* ; Mothers* ; Neonatal Nursing ; Nursing ; Parents* ; Parturition ; Postpartum Period ; Pregnancy ; Surveys and Questionnaires

The purpose of this study was to contribute to neonatal nursing and maternal nursing to reduce parental role stress in mothers of preterm babies and to improve perception of the newborn to by the parents. Data were collected through self-report questionnaires which were consisted of a parental role stress scale and a neonatal perception inventory. The subjects were 100 mothers of fullterm babies and 50 mothers of preterm babies, all in the early postpartum stage and admitted to three hospitals I the Kyoung-In area between November 8 1997 and May 30, 1998. The data were analyzed by a SPSS program and the results are as follows : 1. There were no significantly differences in the means for parental role stress between mothers of fullterm babies and preterm babies. The mean for perception of the newborn was significantly lower in mothers of preterm babies than in mothers of fullterm babies. 2. In mothers of preterm babies, the level of parental role stress was correlated to the one minute Apgar score. The level of perception of the newborn was correlated to gestational age and birth weight. 3. The mothers of preterm babies whose education level was above graduation from college had lower parental role stress than those who had a lowers level of education. The mothers who had experienced cesarean section had higher parental role stress than those who gave birth to their baby prematurely. The above findings indicate that mothers of preterm babies had lower perception of the newborn than mothers of fullterm babies. Therefore, nursing intervention should be provided for mothers of preterm babies to manage parental role stress and improve perception of the newborn.
Apgar Score ; Birth Weight ; Cesarean Section ; Education ; Female ; Gestational Age ; Humans ; Infant, Newborn* ; Mothers* ; Neonatal Nursing ; Nursing ; Parents* ; Parturition ; Postpartum Period ; Pregnancy ; Surveys and Questionnaires

PURPOSE: This study was done to identify the scope of internet addiction in school age children in early grades of elementary school in Korea, and to identify factors affecting internet addiction for these children. METHOD: The participants were 408 children from in grades 1 to 4 in four urban elementary schools. Data were collected through self-report questionnaires which were constructed to include a parent-child internet addiction test, a self-control rating scale, and a scale of parent control of on-line use. The data were analyzed using the SPSS program. RESULTS: Of the children, 71.6% reported being average on-line users, 27.9%, heavy on-line users, and 0.5%, internet addicted. Self control and parent control of on-line use for average on-line users were different from that of heavy on-line users. Significant predictors influencing internet addiction were time spent on-line, self control, gender, father's occupation, on-line games, on-line use alone, and conversation with parents. These predictors accounted for 42% of variance in internet addiction. CONCLUSION: The prevalence of heavy on-line use in children was higher than expected, and internet addiction was influenced by self control, time spent on-line, and related factors. Therefore nursing interventions for prevention and management of internet addiction need to be developed and provided to these children.
Child* ; Humans ; Internet* ; Korea ; Nursing ; Occupations ; Parents ; Prevalence ; Child Health ; Surveys and Questionnaires

This study was performed to investigate the effect of kangaroo care on anxiety and confidence and gratification of mothering role in mothers of low birth weight infants. The subjects were 30 mothers of low birth weight infants, sixteen for the kangaroo care group and fourteen for the control group, whose infants hospitalized in two neonatal intensive care unit at two university-affiliated hospital. The kangaroo care was applied 9 times during the twenty six days with 40 minutes for each session. The kangaroo care provides the skin-to-skin contact during which a low birth weight infant wearing a diaper and a hat is placed on its mother's chest. The questionnaire, state anxiety was completed before beginning the first intervention. The questionnaire, state anxiety and confidence and gratification of mothering role were completed at 2 weeks after discharge. The data were analyzed by a SPSS program. The results were as follows : 1. There were no significant differences in the state anxiety between the kangaroo care and the control group before beginning the first intervention. The state anxiety was significantly lower in kangaroo care group than in control group. 2.The confidence of mothering role was significantly higher in kangaroo care group than in control group at 2 weeks after discharge. 3.The gratification of mothering role was significantly higher in kangaroo care group than in control group at 2 weeks after discharge. 4. In mothers of low birth weight infants, the state anxiety was negatively correlated to the confidence of mothering role and the gratification of mothering role at 2 weeks after discharge. And the confidence of mothering role in mothers of low birth weight infants was positively correlated to the gratification of mothering role at 2 weeks after discharge. These results suggest that kangaroo care is an effective nursing intervention for mothers of low birth weight infants in reducing the state anxiety, improving the confidence and gratification of mothering role.
Anxiety* ; Humans ; Infant* ; Infant, Low Birth Weight* ; Infant, Newborn ; Intensive Care, Neonatal ; Macropodidae* ; Mothers* ; Nursing ; Thorax ; Child Health ; Surveys and Questionnaires

This study was performed to investigate the effect of kangaroo care on anxiety and confidence and gratification of mothering role in mothers of low birth weight infants. The subjects were 30 mothers of low birth weight infants, sixteen for the kangaroo care group and fourteen for the control group, whose infants hospitalized in two neonatal intensive care unit at two university-affiliated hospital. The kangaroo care was applied 9 times during the twenty six days with 40 minutes for each session. The kangaroo care provides the skin-to-skin contact during which a low birth weight infant wearing a diaper and a hat is placed on its mother's chest. The questionnaire, state anxiety was completed before beginning the first intervention. The questionnaire, state anxiety and confidence and gratification of mothering role were completed at 2 weeks after discharge. The data were analyzed by a SPSS program. The results were as follows : 1. There were no significant differences in the state anxiety between the kangaroo care and the control group before beginning the first intervention. The state anxiety was significantly lower in kangaroo care group than in control group. 2.The confidence of mothering role was significantly higher in kangaroo care group than in control group at 2 weeks after discharge. 3.The gratification of mothering role was significantly higher in kangaroo care group than in control group at 2 weeks after discharge. 4. In mothers of low birth weight infants, the state anxiety was negatively correlated to the confidence of mothering role and the gratification of mothering role at 2 weeks after discharge. And the confidence of mothering role in mothers of low birth weight infants was positively correlated to the gratification of mothering role at 2 weeks after discharge. These results suggest that kangaroo care is an effective nursing intervention for mothers of low birth weight infants in reducing the state anxiety, improving the confidence and gratification of mothering role.
Anxiety* ; Humans ; Infant* ; Infant, Low Birth Weight* ; Infant, Newborn ; Intensive Care, Neonatal ; Macropodidae* ; Mothers* ; Nursing ; Thorax ; Child Health ; Surveys and Questionnaires

The purpose of this study was to evaluate maternal perception of the newborn, confidence and gratification of mothering role, and contribute to maternal nursing and neonatal nursing. The questionnaire, maternal perception of the newborn(I) was completed by 47 mothers at three hospitals in the Kyoung-In area during the first to third day after birth. the questionnaire, maternal perception of the newborn(II), confidence and gratification of mothering role were completed at fourth to sixth week after birth. the data were analyzed by a SPSS program. The results were as follows; 1) The means of perception of the newborn(I) and (II) were 2.28+/-4.81 and 3.83+/-4.84. The means of confidence and gratification of mothering role were 40.38+/-5.51 and 39.30+/-6.70. 2) Half of the mothers(48.9%) rated their newborn as better than average newborn at first to third day after birth, and 74.5% of mothers did at fourth to sixth week after birth. 3) The score of maternal perception of the newborn(I) was significantly correlated with the score of confidence and gratification of mothering role. The score of maternal perception of the newborn(II) was correlated with the score of confidence and gratification of mothering role. The score of confidence and gratification of mothering role was related. 4) Maternal gratification of mothering role was significantly different by maternal perception of the newborn(I), and maternal confidence was different by maternal perception of the newborn(II). 5) Mothers who had religions and who wanted the pregnancy had higher perception of the new-born(I) than those who did not. Mothers whose newborn(II) than those whose newborns were girls. Mothers who wanted the pregnancy had higher confidence of mothering role than those who did not. Mothers who planed cow's milk had lower gratification of mothering role than those who did not. The above findings indicate that mothers who have a different level of perception of the newborn, confidence and gratification of mothering role. Therefore, it is important maternal perception of the newborn, confidence and gratification of mothering role were precisely evaluated, and nursing intervention for improving perception of the newborn should be provided of for mothers.
Female ; Humans ; Infant, Newborn* ; Milk ; Mothers* ; Neonatal Nursing ; Nursing ; Parturition ; Pregnancy ; Surveys and Questionnaires

Objective: To compare the changes in blood urea nitrogen/creatinine (BUN/Cr) ratio, a dehydration status indicator, among patients with mild dysphagia depending on the addition of fluid thickeners. Methods: A total of 81 patients who underwent serial dietary trials of the videofluoroscopic swallowing study (VFSS) and displayed penetration signs with a penetration-aspiration scale of 4 or less during the liquid trials were enrolled and classified into two groups according to the dietary instructions from the VFSS results. Group A comprised patients who were permitted to freely consume water with a regular diet. Group B comprised patients allowed to take a regular diet but with the addition of a fluid thickener while ingesting water. To analyze whether the patients of each group were dehydrated, we calculated the serum BUN/Cr ratio using blood tests, which were performed within 1 week of the VFSS test date and 1 month later. Results: There were 4 cases of suspected pneumonia within 1 month after the VFSS test, with no significant differences between the two groups. The BUN/Cr ratio of the 1-month follow-up blood test when compared to the initial blood test showed a significant decrease in Group A (P=0.022) compared with Group B (P=0.033). Conclusion Patients with mild dysphagia who consumed water freely showed a decrease in the BUN/Cr ratio compared to those who added fluid thickeners to their drinking water.