OBJECTIVE: The Empathy Quotient (EQ) is a self-reported test developed by Baron-Cohen et al. (2004) to measure the cognitive and affective aspects of empathy. The purpose of this study was to develop a Korean version of EQ and to establish its psychometric properties based on a representative Korean sample. METHODS: The Korean version of EQ and its correspondence with another popular measure of empathy, the Korean version of the Interpersonal Reactivity Index (IRI), were evaluated in a sample of 478 volunteers (156 men, 322 women; mean age, 27.2 years). A test-retest study was conducted at 1 month on a selected sample of 20 subjects from the original sample. Correlation and confirmatory factor analyses were conducted. RESULTS: The test-retest reliability was good, and the internal consistency was acceptable (Cronbach's alpha=0.78). Positive correlations were found between the EQ and three subfactors of the IRI, perspective taking, empathic concern, and fantasy, and the total EQ score was negatively correlated with the personal distress subscale. The confirmatory analyses suggested that the three-factor structure offered a good fit to the data. CONCLUSION: These findings support the reliability and validity of the Korean version of the EQ.
Child ; Autism Spectrum Disorder ; Empathy ; Fantasy ; Humans ; Male ; Psychometrics ; Reproducibility of Results

PURPOSE: This study was conducted to test a path model for the factors related to undergraduate nursing students' clinical practicum stress, based on Lazarus and Folkman's stress-coping model. METHODS: This study utilized a path analysis design. A total of 235 undergraduate nursing students participated in this study. The variables in the hypothetical path model consisted of clinical practicum, emotional intelligence, self-efficacy, Nun-chi, and nursing professionalism. We tested the fit of the hypothetical path model using SPSS/WIN 23.0 and AMOS 22.0. RESULTS: The final model fit demonstrated a satisfactory statistical acceptance level: goodness-of-fit-index=.98, adjusted goodness-of-fit-index=.91, comparative fit index=.98, normed fit index=.95, Tucker-Lewis index=.92, and root mean square error of approximation=.06. Self-efficacy (β=−.22, p=.003) and Nun-chi behavior (β=−.17, p=.024) were reported as significant factors affecting clinical practicum stress, explaining 10.2% of the variance. Nursing professionalism (β=.20, p=.006) and self-efficacy (β=.45, p<.001) had direct effects on emotional intelligence, explaining 45.9% of the variance. Self-efficacy had indirect effects on Nun-chi understanding (β=.20, p<.001) and Nun-chi behavior (β=.09, p=.005) through emotional intelligence. Nursing professionalism had indirect effects on Nun-chi understanding (β=.09, p=.005) and Nun-chi behavior (β=.09, p=.005) through emotional intelligence. The variables for self-efficacy and nursing professionalism explained 29.1% of the Nun-chi understanding and 18.2% of the Nun-chi behavior, respectively. CONCLUSION In undergraduate nursing education, it is important to identify and manage factors that affect clinical practicum stress. The findings of this study emphasize the importance of Nun-chi, self-efficacy, emotional intelligence, and nursing professionalism in the development of an educational strategy for undergraduate nursing students.

BACKGROUND: As aging is a process that everyone must experience, life expectancy is getting longer and living standards are getting better. But aging can be successful or unsuccessful. Middle-aged adults experience an existential crisis of physical burdens and middle-aged crises, thereby changing the quality of life in old age. The purpose of this study was to identify the factors affecting successful aging in middle-aged adults. METHODS: This is a cross sectional descriptive study design was used to examine the association among middle-age crisis, perceived health status, self-esteem, social support and successful aging in late middle-aged adults. RESULTS: Perceived health status and social support had a statistically significant effect on successful aging, and middle-aged crisis and self-esteem were not significant. The factors' determination value was 63.6%. CONCLUSIONS The perceived health status and social support of middle-aged adults may help the successful aging of middle-aged adults. Therefore, it is necessary to develop education for health promoting activities and social support programs with various materials.

PURPOSE: This study was conducted to test a path model for the factors related to undergraduate nursing students' clinical practicum stress, based on Lazarus and Folkman's stress-coping model. METHODS: This study utilized a path analysis design. A total of 235 undergraduate nursing students participated in this study. The variables in the hypothetical path model consisted of clinical practicum, emotional intelligence, self-efficacy, Nun-chi, and nursing professionalism. We tested the fit of the hypothetical path model using SPSS/WIN 23.0 and AMOS 22.0. RESULTS: The final model fit demonstrated a satisfactory statistical acceptance level: goodness-of-fit-index=.98, adjusted goodness-of-fit-index=.91, comparative fit index=.98, normed fit index=.95, Tucker-Lewis index=.92, and root mean square error of approximation=.06. Self-efficacy (β=−.22, p=.003) and Nun-chi behavior (β=−.17, p=.024) were reported as significant factors affecting clinical practicum stress, explaining 10.2% of the variance. Nursing professionalism (β=.20, p=.006) and self-efficacy (β=.45, p<.001) had direct effects on emotional intelligence, explaining 45.9% of the variance. Self-efficacy had indirect effects on Nun-chi understanding (β=.20, p<.001) and Nun-chi behavior (β=.09, p=.005) through emotional intelligence. Nursing professionalism had indirect effects on Nun-chi understanding (β=.09, p=.005) and Nun-chi behavior (β=.09, p=.005) through emotional intelligence. The variables for self-efficacy and nursing professionalism explained 29.1% of the Nun-chi understanding and 18.2% of the Nun-chi behavior, respectively. CONCLUSION: In undergraduate nursing education, it is important to identify and manage factors that affect clinical practicum stress. The findings of this study emphasize the importance of Nun-chi, self-efficacy, emotional intelligence, and nursing professionalism in the development of an educational strategy for undergraduate nursing students.
Education, Nursing ; Emotional Intelligence ; Humans ; Nursing ; Preceptorship ; Professionalism ; Stress, Psychological ; Students, Nursing

BACKGROUND: As aging is a process that everyone must experience, life expectancy is getting longer and living standards are getting better. But aging can be successful or unsuccessful. Middle-aged adults experience an existential crisis of physical burdens and middle-aged crises, thereby changing the quality of life in old age. The purpose of this study was to identify the factors affecting successful aging in middle-aged adults. METHODS: This is a cross sectional descriptive study design was used to examine the association among middle-age crisis, perceived health status, self-esteem, social support and successful aging in late middle-aged adults. RESULTS: Perceived health status and social support had a statistically significant effect on successful aging, and middle-aged crisis and self-esteem were not significant. The factors' determination value was 63.6%. CONCLUSIONS: The perceived health status and social support of middle-aged adults may help the successful aging of middle-aged adults. Therefore, it is necessary to develop education for health promoting activities and social support programs with various materials.
Adult ; Aging ; Education ; Humans ; Life Change Events ; Quality of Life ; Socioeconomic Factors

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to compare the effectiveness of training using an intravenous (IV) arm model versus a computer simulator for IV injections. METHOD: Study was a quasi-experimental study conducted with 106 nursing students. Participants were divided into two groups: the IV Arm Group using a mannequin arm model (control group) and the Computer Simulator Group using the Virtual IV demonstration (experimental group). Theoretical lectures and video presentations on IV injections were given to both groups. Each group went through the training practice using the IV arm or computer simulator. After the completion of training, questionnaires were given to the students to evaluate their learning attitudes and experiences, self-confidence in IV injection, and satisfaction with the training materials. RESULTS: Student satisfaction with the training materials including the reality, usefulness, and educational effects showed notable differences between the two groups with the Computer Simulator group reporting more positive effects that the IV Arm group. However, there was no statistical difference between the two groups in the categories of learning attitude, learning experience, or self-confidence. CONCLUSION: While there was a differences in strengths and weaknesses of the two methods, both methods should be considered for practice and further study needs to be done on educational effectiveness.
Arm* ; Computer Simulation ; Humans ; Injections, Intravenous ; Learning ; Lectures ; Manikins ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Students, Nursing

Purpose: Abeliophyllum distichum (A.distichum) is a plant native to Korea. In this study, we investigated the mechanism of antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects of the leaf extract of A.distichum. Methods: The antioxidant capacity of the A.distichum leaf extract was determined based on the total polyphenol content, 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) assay, 2,2′-azino-bis (3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS) assay, and the ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) assay. The anti-inflammatory effects of the A.distichum leaf extract were evaluated by measuring the production of nitric oxide (NO) and the expression levels of proinflammatory cytokines including tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, interleukin (IL)-1β, and IL-6 using the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and reverse transcription quantitative real-time PCR (RT-qPCR). In addition, the expression of heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1), nuclear transcription factor-erythroid 2 related factor (Nrf2), inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), and cyclooxygenase 2 (COX-2), as well as the activation of nuclear factorkappa B (NF-ĸB) were examined using the western blot analysis. Results: The total polyphenol content of the A.distichum leaf extract was 329.89 ± 30.17 gallic acid equivalents mg/g and the DPPH and ABTS scavenging activities were 55% and 70%, respectively. Additionally, the FRAP value of the extract was 743.68 ± 116.59 mg/mL. After 12-hour treatment with the A.distichum leaf extract, there was a tendency for the Nrf2 expression to increase, and the expression of HO-1 was significantly elevated in the RAW264.7 cells. The A.distichum leaf extract treatment resulted in decreased levels of NO, TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-1β, as well as reduced expression of iNOS and COX-2, along with inhibition of NF-κB activation in lipopolysaccharide-stimulated RAW264.7 cells. Conclusion These results suggest that the A.distichum leaf extract exerts antioxidative and anti-inflammatory effects by upregulating the expression of HO-1 and downregulating NF-κB activation.

OBJECTIVES: The purposes of this study were to examine the predictive validity of the Cubbin and Jackson pressure ulcer risk assessment scale for the development of pressure ulcers in intensive care unit (ICU) patients retrospectively and to evaluate the reusability of Electronic Medical Records (EMR) data. METHODS: A retrospective design was used to examine 829 cases admitted to four ICUs in a tertiary care hospital from May 2010 to April 2011. Patients who were without pressure ulcers at admission to ICU, 18 years or older, and had stayed in ICU for 24 hours or longer were included. Sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value, and area under the curve (AUC) were calculated. RESULTS: The reported incidence rate of pressure ulcers among the study subjects was 14.2%. At the cut-off score of 24 of the Cubbin and Jackson scale, the sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value, and AUC were 72.0%, 68.8%, 27.7%, 93.7%, and 0.76, respectively. Eight items out 10 of the Cubbin and Jackson scale were readily available in the EMR data. CONCLUSIONS: The Cubbin and Jackson scale performed slightly better than the Braden scale to predict pressure ulcer development. Eight items of the Cubbin and Jackson scale except mobility and hygiene can be extracted from the EMR, which initially demonstrated the reusability of EMR data for pressure ulcer risk assessment. If the Cubbin and Jackson scale is a part of the EMR assessment form, it would help nurses perform tasks to effectively prevent pressure ulcers with an EMR alert for high-risk patients.
Area Under Curve ; Critical Care* ; Electronic Health Records ; Humans ; Hygiene ; Incidence ; Intensive Care Units ; Nursing Assessment ; Pressure Ulcer* ; Retrospective Studies ; Risk Assessment* ; Sensitivity and Specificity ; Tertiary Healthcare

PURPOSE: To identify factors influencing psychosocial adjustment in patients with surgical removal of benign breast tumor. METHODS: With a survey design, data were collected using the Psychosocial Adjustment to Illness Scale-Self Report (PAIS-SR), Body Image Scale, Physical Discomfort Scale, and Family Support Scale with patients who had had surgical removal of a benign breast tumor from September to November 2017. Data were analysed with descriptive statistics, t-test, ANOVA, Pearson's correlation coefficients, and stepwise multiple regression. RESULTS: The mean scores for physical discomfort, body image, family support, and psychosocial adjustment were 1.57±0.51, 0.37±0.64, 3.62±0.67, and 4.00±0.45, respectively. Family support, body image, physical discomfort, number of surgical removal of benign breast tumor (twice), and cancer insurance status (yes) were verified as factors influencing psychosocial adjustment. These factors accounted for 57.4% of psychosocial adjustment. CONCLUSION: In this study, family support, body image, and physical discomfort were identified as significant predictors of psychosocial adjustment. Therefore, this study can be used as fundamental data to develop nursing intervention strategies in order to increase psychosocial adjustment in patients with surgical removal of a benign breast tumor.
Body Image ; Breast Neoplasms* ; Breast* ; Humans ; Insurance Coverage ; Nursing

BACKGROUND: Korea has high prescribing rate and rising antibiotic resistance. This study was conducted to understand why primary physicians prescribe antibiotics for acute respiratory infections and to explore the factors that influence antibiotic resistance, and so to suggest strategy to reduce antibiotic resistance. METHODS: A qualitative exploratory approach was used using 4 focus groups composed of physicians from different area. A semi-structured guide was applied in obtaining the physicians' opinions. Common themes were extracted by authors, which were used to gather results and draw conclusion. RESULTS: Participants acknowledged multiple factors such as clinical factor and competitive environment are involved in physicians' decision of antibiotic prescribing. They identified that causes of rising antibiotic resistance were shortage of information, discontinuation of taking antibiotics, and other system factors. CONCLUSION: Participants were certain that less prescribing antibiotics and selecting appropriate antibiotics might be method to reduce antibiotic resistance. To change the prescribing behavior, it should be provided periodically for community physicians with prescribing information and specific guidelines for antibiotics resistance. Patients should be also noticed about antibiotic medication information more accurately. Including prescription incentive policy, improvement of healthcare system will be carried out at the same time.
Anti-Bacterial Agents* ; Delivery of Health Care ; Drug Resistance, Microbial ; Focus Groups ; Humans ; Information Dissemination ; Korea ; Methods ; Motivation ; Prescriptions* ; Respiratory Tract Infections