PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to test the mediating effect of depression on the relationship between gambling severity and cognitive distortion in Koreans with a gambling disorder. METHODS: Secondary data from a comprehensive assessment of problematic gambling between 2015 and 2017 on Korea Center on Gambling Problems were used. The subjects in this study were 254 Koreans with that gambling disorder. Data were collected with self-report structured questionnaires which included individual characteristics, the Korean version of Problem Gambling Severity Index, the Center for the Epidemiologic Studies Depression, and the Gambling Related Cognitions Scale. Data were analyzed by using descriptive statistics, independent t-test, one-way ANOVA with the Scheffé test, Pearson's correlation coefficients, and a mediation analysis of the Baron and Kenny method with the SPSS 22.0 program. RESULTS: Significant correlations emerged among the three variables, gambling severity, depression, and cognitive distortion. Depression exerted a partial mediating effect (β=.20, p < .001) on the relationship between gambling severity and cognitive distortion (Sobel test: z=2.33, p=.012). CONCLUSION: Based on this study's findings, nursing intervention programs focused on managing gambling severity and decreasing depression are highly recommended to alleviate cognitive distortion in people with a gambling disorder.
Cognition ; Depression ; Epidemiologic Studies ; Gambling ; Korea ; Methods ; Negotiating ; Nursing ; Statistics as Topic

Purpose: This study aimed to identify changes in sub-areas of empathy over the 4 years from admission to graduation of nursing college students. Methods: This descriptive survey study was conducted using a longitudinal cohort design. The participants in this study were 158 South Korean nursing students attending a university in Chungcheongbuk Province or Gyeonggi Province, all of whom passed the certification evaluation for the 4-year nursing educational institute. Data from 126 participants were analyzed. The level of empathy was measured five times from March 2012 to December 2015. Empathy was identified using a multi-dimensional measurement tool consisting of four sub-constructs of cognitive and emotional aspects: (1) perspective taking, (2) fantasy, (3) empathic concern, and (4) personal distress. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 25 to provide descriptive statistics of the participants’ general characteristics and empathy level and to perform repeated-measures analysis of variance for the sub-constructs empathy. Results: Perspective taking (F=13.08, p<.001) and personal distress (F=5.24, p=.001), but not fantasy or empathic concern, showed significant differences over time. Conclusion Cognitive empathy (perspective taking) and emotional empathy (personal distress) improved. Intervention programs should be developed to maintain and strengthen changes in empathy in nursing education.

Purpose: This study aimed to explore the mediating effects of social networks on the relationship between depression and suicidal ideation among older adults residing in the community. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted with 161 older adults aged 65 years and above living in Region C. Data were collected between November 2020 and February 2021. The analysis involved the use of descriptive statistics, calculation of Pearson’s correlation coefficients, and conducting multiple regression analyses following the Baron and Kenny criterion. Results: The study reported average scores of 7.56±3.85 for depression, 18.94±7.49 for social network, and 3.72±4.05 for suicidal ideation. Suicidal ideation was positively correlated with depression and negatively correlated with social networks. Social networks were found to partially mediate the connection between depression and suicidal ideation among the aged. Conclusion This study emphasizes the importance of nursing interventions to reduce depression and enhance social networks, aiming to prevent social isolation among community-dwelling older adults with suicidal ideation.