Effects of Self-acupunctural Hand Massage Using Aromatic Oil on Alleviating the Stress, Fatigue, and Vital Signs of Korean Middle-Aged Women.

The study aimed to examine the effects of self-acupunctural hand massage using aromatic oil on the stress, fatigue, and vital signs of Korean middle-aged women. A quasi-experimental study using a pretest/posttest control group, nonsynchronized design was employed. The study participants consisted of 55 middle-aged women (27 in the experiment group and 28 in the control group), who visited a community center in Seoul, South Korea. Self-acupunctural hand massage using aromatic oil as an experimental intervention was performed once per day, 6 minutes per session for the left and right hands each, for 3 weeks. A questionnaire was designed to measure the general characteristics, stress, fatigue, and vital signs (blood pressure and pulse rate). There were significant differences in the degrees of stress, fatigue, and vital signs (blood pressure) between the 2 groups. Self-acupunctural hand massage using aromatic oil decreased the stress, fatigue, and vital signs (blood pressure) of Korean middle-aged women. Self-acupunctural hand massage using aromatic oil can be utilized as an effective nursing intervention for decreasing stress, fatigue, and vital signs (blood pressure) for middle-aged women in clinical practice.

Mediating Effects of Anger Expression in the Relationship of Work Stress with Burnout among Hospital Nurses Depending on Career Experience.

OBJECTIVES: This study examined the mediating effects of anger expression in the relationship between work stress and burnout among nurses with more than or less than 3 years of career experience. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted with 454 nurses working at three university hospitals in South Korea. Nurses completed a survey consisting of demographic questions, the Maslach Burnout Inventory, the Work Stress Scale, and the Korean version of the Anger Expression Inventory. A multiple-group mediation analysis was performed using structural equation modeling. RESULTS: In total (N = 454), work stress directly affected burnout, and all anger expressions indirectly affected the relationship of work stress with burnout. Different mediating effects of anger expression style according to career experience were shown; anger-out and anger-in in nurses with less experience (n = 184) and only anger-in in those with more experience (n = 270) partially mediated the relationship of work stress with burnout. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: The indirect effect of anger-in style was higher than other anger expression styles in all nurses; suppression of anger caused by work stress can increase burnout. Anger-out played a functional role in the relationship of work stress with burnout among nurses who had less career experience. Therefore, to reduce burnout, creating a work environment with collaborative culture including authentic leadership and providing anger management programs will help to manage nurses' anger properly. For new nurses, promoting work and life balance, and creating a culturally empowering work environment to help them use anger-out expression constructively, are important to reduce burnout.

A structural model for quality of life of alcoholics.

AIMS: To investigate the factors affecting the quality of life of alcoholics and to identify the relationships between these factors to establish and verify a hypothetical model for the quality of life of alcoholics. DESIGN: Covariance structure analysis using structural equation model. METHODS: Participants were 223 adults who were hospitalized at alcohol addiction treatment centre after being diagnosed with alcoholism in Gyunggi-do, South Korea. Data included the general characteristics of study participants, depression, abstinence self-efficacy, stress level, stress coping strategy, social support and quality of life. Data were collected from March - 28 May 2016 and were analysed using SPSS 22.0 and AMOS 22.0. RESULTS: The factors affecting the quality of life of alcoholics included alcohol abstinence self-efficacy (ß = 0.37, t = 4.56), stress copying strategy (ß = 0.23, t = 2.37), stress level (ß = -0.20, t = -2.08) and social support (ß = 0.14, t = 2.52). Factor analysis and statistical significance level was used for model coefficients and t-value estimation. CONCLUSION: This study suggested that to improve the quality of life of alcoholics, their alcohol abstinence self-efficacy should be increased, measures to improve their stress coping strategy and ability should be prepared, their stress level should be lowered and the social support system perceived by them should be strengthened. Health professionals need to pay attention to the affecting factors to improve the quality of life of alcoholics. IMPACT: Alcoholism is emerging as a social problem, not just an individual problem. Alcohol abstinence self-efficacy had the greatest direct effect on the quality of life of alcoholics, followed by stress coping strategy, stress level and social support, which had significant direct effects. Depression had significant indirect effect on the quality of life of alcoholics. Health professionals need to pay attention to the affecting factors to improve the quality of life of alcoholics in clinical practice or community fields.

Differences of Self-Control, Daily Life Stress, and Communication Skills between Smartphone Addiction Risk Group and General Group in Korean Nursing Students.

Concerns about smartphone addiction have been raised as the use time of and dependence on the smartphone is increasing. This study were to examine the differences of self-control, daily life stress, and communication skills between smartphone addiction risk group and general group in nursing students, South Korea. A cross-sectional descriptive design was adopted. Samples were total 139 nursing students (addictive risk: n = 40, general: n = 99) at G and B cities in South Korea. Measures were general characteristics form, self-control scale in Korean version, daily life stress scale for college students, and Global Interpersonal Communication Competence Scale (GICC). There were significant differences on self-control (t = 3.02, p = 0.003) and daily life stress (t = 3.56, p < 0.001), but there was no significant difference on communication skills (t = 1.72, p = 0.088) between two groups. Nursing students in smart phone addiction risk group had worse self-control and higher daily life stress than nursing students in general group. The preventive education programs for healthy smartphone use of Korean nursing students are needed.

Effects of health promoting education program for Korean middle-aged women.

[Purpose] This study aimed to examine the effects of health promoting education program on self-efficacy, health promoting behavior, and quality of life of Korean middle-aged women. [Participants and Methods] Participants were total 60 women (experimental: n=30, control: n=30) in the age group of 40-59, who visit community center located at G gu in Seoul. Health promoting education program was performed for 6 weeks, once a week, one hour with 20 minute group discussion. A study questionnaire was designed to measure the general characteristics, self-efficacy, health promoting behavior, and quality of life. [Results] Self-efficacy, health promoting behavior, and quality of life of middle-aged women were significantly improved in experimental group compared to the control group. [Conclusion] Health promoting education program can be utilized as an effective public health intervention in community. It would be appropriate as an addition to the public health policy for middle-aged women in community.

Influence of Leisure Activity Participation Between Genders Among Korean Older Adults.

The current study examined and compared the effect of male and female older adults' participation level in leisure activities on their perceived health status, psychological well-being, levels of depression, levels of loneliness, and successful aging. A cross-sectional descriptive study design was used. Study participants comprised 197 older adults (women: n = 108, men: n = 89) ages 65 and older who were living in Gyeonggi Province, South Korea. Measures were the perceived health status scale, Geriatric Depression Scale Short Form-Korea, psychological well-being scale, loneliness scale, and successful aging scale. Based on level of participation in leisure activities, male older adults experienced a significant difference in perceived health status and loneliness. Female older adults experienced a significant difference in psychological well-being and successful aging. Health professionals should encourage higher participation in leisure activities to improve psychological well-being and successful aging of older adults. [Journal of Gerontological Nursing, 44(11), 51-58.].

Predictors of Yangsaeng (Health Management) Among Korean Middle-Aged Adults.

This study aimed to examine and identify the predictors of Yangsaeng (health management) among Korean middle-aged adults. A cross-sectional descriptive design was employed. Study participants consisted of 150 middle-aged adults in S and G cities, South Korea. Measures included the Yangsaeng scale, the perceived health state scale, the self-efficacy scale, the Beck Depression Inventory, and the family support scale. The analyses showed that the prediction model for Yangsaeng (health management) among Korean middle-aged adults was significant. The value of the adjusted R was 0.635, which corresponded to the explanatory power of 63.5%. The predictor with the most influence on Yangsaeng (health management) among Korean middle-aged adults was family support, followed by perceived health state, leisure activity, self-efficacy, and religion, respectively. This study provided preliminary evidence that family support is a major and primary predictor of Yangsaeng (health management) among Korean middle-aged adults. Concrete interventions and strategies to improve the Yangsaeng (health management) of Korean middle-aged adults were necessary.

Factors Influencing Resilience of Burn Patients in South Korea.

PURPOSE: To examine and identify the factors influencing the degree of resilience among Korean burn patients. DESIGN: A cross-sectional descriptive design was employed. METHODS: The study sample consisted of 138 burn patients recovering from the acute phase in H hospital, Seoul. The male patient participants numbered 93 (67.4%) and the female participants numbered 45 (32.6%). The average age of the participants was 46.79 years. Measures used were the Beck Depression Inventory, State Trait Anxiety Inventory, self-esteem scale, family support scale, and resilience scale. FINDINGS: The analyses showed that the prediction model for resilience among burn patients was significant (F = 33.94, p < .001). The value of the adjusted R2 was 0.492, which corresponds to the explanatory power of 49.2%. The factor that was found to have the most influence on resilience among burn patients was self-esteem (ß = .35), followed by family support (ß = .29). CONCLUSIONS: This study provides preliminary evidence that self-esteem is a major and primary predictor of resilience among burn patients, next followed by family support. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: In the nursing practice, nurses need to pay attention to the burn patient's self-esteem and family support. Concrete interventions and strategies to improve the resilience of burn patients are needed.

Life experiences of elderly people with suicide ideation at the long-term care hospitals in South Korea.

OBJECTIVE: To understand the life experiences of elderly people who are living in long-term care hospitals and are afflicted with suicide ideation. METHODS: A phenomenological qualitative methodology based on Colaizzi's method was used for the study. Participants included 9 elderly people who are 65 years old or older with suicidal ideas and were admitted in any of the 3 long-term care hospitals in D City, Gyeonggi-do, South Korea. Data were collected from July to December 2014. RESULTS: Seven categories, 15 theme categories, 30 themes, and 88 significant items were identified as parts of their life experiences. The 7 categories were identified as "being a slave to one's disease", "sadness as a result of being far away from one's family", "vain care and consolation for me", "continued life in a hospital, which feels like living abroad", "plunging life", "moving toward the end of life", and "sad relief from death". CONCLUSION: The findings from this study provide a deep understanding of the lives of elderly people who were staying in long-term care hospitals, and these will help improve their quality of life. Additionally, they can be used as references in implementing high-quality nursing practices for such elderly people.

Effects of Aroma Gargling, Cold Water Gargling, and Wet Gauze Application on Thirst, Halitosis, and Sore Throat of Patients After Spine Surgery.

This study compared and examined the effects of aroma gargling, cold water gargling, and wet gauze application on thirst, halitosis, and sore throat in patients after spine surgery. A quasiexperimental pretest/posttest control group design was employed. Samples were total 70 patients (aroma gargling: 24 samples, cold gargling: 24 samples, and wet gauze: 22 samples) after spine surgery in K Hospital in Seoul, Korea. The aroma gargle solution as an experimental intervention was prepared by blending peppermint, tea tree, and lemon oils at a ratio of 1:2:2. A 60 cc of aroma gargle solution was used 3 times for 15 to 20 seconds. The visual analog scale was used to measure the degrees of thirst and sore throat, and a portable device was used to examine the degree of halitosis. There were significant differences in the degrees of thirst, halitosis, and sore throat according to interaction between group and duration. In the comparison among 3 groups, aroma gargling provided better oral health by decreasing thirst, halitosis, and sore throat for patients with spine surgery. Aroma gargling can be utilized as an effective nursing intervention for decreasing thirst, halitosis, and sore throat for patients with spine surgery in clinical practice. Results suggest, therefore, that health professionals should consider an array of methods including aroma gargling for patients after spine surgery.

Effects of Auricular Acupressure Therapy on Stress and Sleep Disturbance of Middle-Aged Women in South Korea.

This study sought to examine the effect of auricular acupressure therapy on the stress and sleep status of middle-aged women in South Korea. A quasi-experimental pretest/posttest control group design was employed. The study sample consisted of 67 middle-aged women (experimental: 35 samples; control: 32 samples) in Seoul, South Korea. Auricular acupressure therapy including the auricular acupressure needle on the skin paper tape was applied on an ear for 2 weeks, 2 times per week. The acupoints were Gyogam, Sinmun, Bushin, Naebunbi, and Pijilha. For the placebo control group, only the skin paper tape without the auricular acupressure needle was applied on the same acupoints. Measures were a stress scale, cortisol level in blood, and a sleep status scale. The findings showed that there were significant differences on stress (physical: t = 2.170, P < .033; psychological: t = 2.117, P < .037), cortisol level in blood (t = 2.277, P < .025), and sleep status (t = -3.127, P < .004). Health care providers should consider providing auricular acupressure therapy as an alternative method for reducing physical and psychological stress, cortisol level in blood, and sleep disturbance of middle-aged women in South Korea.

Effects of Auricular Acupressure Therapy on Primary Dysmenorrhea for Female High School Students in South Korea.

PURPOSE: To examine the effect of auricular acupressure therapy on primary dysmenorrhea among female high school students in South Korea. DESIGN: A randomized controlled trial was employed. METHODS: The study sample consisted of 91 female high school students, with 45 participants in the experimental group and 46 in the control group in two regions of South Korea. The average age of the participants was 16.7 years, and the average age of menarche was 12.2 years. Auricular acupressure therapy including an auricular acupressure needle on skin paper tape was applied on an ear for 3 days during periods of extreme primary dysmenorrhea. The acupoint names were Jagung, Sinmun, Gyogam, and Naebunbi. For the placebo control group, only the skin paper tape without an auricular acupressure needle was applied on the same acupoints. Measures used were the Menstrual Distress Questionnaire to assess primary dysmenorrhea, and the visual analog scale to assess abdominal and back pain of participants. FINDINGS: There were significant differences on abdominal pain (t = 24.594, p < .001), back pain (t = 22.661, p < .001), and primary dysmenorrhea (t = 32.187, p < .001) between the two groups. Auricular acupressure therapy decreased abdominal pain, back pain, and primary dysmenorrhea of female high school students in South Korea. CONCLUSIONS: Auricular acupressure therapy was an effective intervention for alleviating abdominal pain, back pain, and primary dysmenorrhea of female high school students in South Korea. For feasibility of the auricular acupressure therapy in practice, it is needed to train and learn the exact positions of acupoints in ear. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Health providers should consider providing auricular acupressure therapy as an alternative method for reducing abdominal and back pain, and primary dysmenorrhea in female high school students in South Korea.

Effects of Multivitamin Supplements on Cognitive Function, Serum Homocysteine Level, and Depression of Korean Older Adults With Mild Cognitive Impairment in Care Facilities.

PURPOSE: To examine effects of multivitamin supplements on cognitive function, serum homocysteine level, and depression of Korean older adults with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) in care facilities. DESIGN: A quasi-experimental pretest-posttest control group design was employed. METHODS: Forty-eight adults 65 years of age and older with MCI (experimental, n = 24; control, n = 24) who were living in care facilities in Gyeong-gi-do, Korea, were recruited. Multivitamin supplements as experimental treatment consisted of vitamin B6, B12, and folic acid. Multivitamin supplements were taken at a dosage of one pill every day for 12 weeks through the oral route. Measures were Mini Mental State Examination-Korean, serum homocysteine level, and Geriatric Depression Scale Short Form Korea Version. Collected data were analyzed using SPSS version 21.0 statistical software (SPSS Inc., Chicago, IL, USA). FINDINGS: There were significant effects of multivitamin supplements on cognitive function (F = 3.624, p = .021), serum homocysteine level (F = 6.974, p = .001), and depression (F = 10.849, p = .001). CONCLUSIONS: Multivitamin supplements increased cognitive function, and decreased serum homocysteine level and depression of Korean older adults with MCI in care facilities. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Multivitamin supplements can be utilized for improving cognitive ability and for decreasing depression of Korean older adults with MCI in care facilities.

Experiences of violence, burnout and job satisfaction in Korean nurses in the emergency medical centre setting.

The aim of this study was to examine the experience of violence in relation to burnout and job satisfaction in Korean nurses in the emergency medical centre setting. Participants were 236 nurses in the emergency medical centre setting of three metropolitan areas in Korea. Measures included a general characteristics form, characteristics related to experiences of violence, the Maslach Burnout Inventory and the Minnesota Satisfaction Questionnaire. Data were collected from June 2013 to February 2014. In the prediction model, 33.4% of burnout was explained and 35.7% for job satisfaction. The greatest influence on burnout was handling violence, followed by verbal abuse. The greatest influence on job satisfaction was physical threat, followed by handling violence. The study shows that burnout and job satisfaction of Korean nurses in the emergency medical centre setting are related to experiences of violence such as verbal abuse, physical threat and physical violence, as well as handling violence.

Effects of Meridian Acupressure in Joktaeyang Bangkwang Kyeong on the Physical Health State, Depression, and Life Satisfaction of Korean Older Adult Women Living Alone.

The purpose of the current study was to examine the effects of Meridian acupressure in Joktaeyang Bangkwang Kyeong (one of 12 Meridian systems) on the physical health state, depression, and life satisfaction of Korean older adult women living alone. A quasi-experimental, pretest­posttest control group design was used. Participants included 76 (experimental: n = 38, control: n = 38) women 65 and older living alone in Seoul and Gyeonggido, South Korea. Meridian acupressure in Joktaeyang Bangkwang Kyeong was applied for 15 minutes twice per week, for a total of 8 weeks in the experimental group. Data showed there were significant differences in physical health state (t = −15.062, p < 0.001), depression (t = 3.241, p < 0.001), and life satisfaction (t = −17.141, p < 0.001) between the two groups. Health professionals must consider an array of methods, including Meridian acupressure in Joktaeyang Bangkwang Kyeong, for older adults.

Factors influencing the adaptation to skilled nursing facilities among older Korean adults.

This study was conducted to identify the factors that influence the level of adaptation of older Korean adults to skilled nursing facilities. The subjects were 500 adults aged 65 or older who were living in six different skilled nursing facilities in Seoul and Gyeong-gi-do, South Korea. The measures were a demographic form, Health Self-Rating Scale, Activities of Daily Living Scale, Self-Efficacy Instrument, Korean Simple Depression Scale, Quality of the Facility Scale and Facility Adaptation Scale. The analyses showed that the prediction model was significant (F = 128.624, P < 0.001). The value of the adjusted R(2) was 0.435, which corresponds to the explanatory power of 43.5%. The factor that was found to have the greatest influence on the adaptation of older Korean adults to skilled nursing facilities was activities of daily living (ß = -0.564), followed by self-efficacy (ß = 0.321), quality of the facility (ß = 0.164), depression (ß = 0.133), decision to enter a skilled nursing facility (ß = 0.122), perceived health status (ß = 0.064) and age (ß = -0.010). This cross-sectional study provides preliminary evidence that the level of adaptation of older Korean adults to skilled nursing facilities is related to their activities of daily living, self-efficacy, depression, decision to enter a skilled nursing facility, perceived health status and age, and to the quality of the facility.

Comparison of attitudes towards death and perceptions of do-not-resuscitate orders between older Korean adults residing in a facility and at home.

The purpose of this study was to compare and analyse attitudes towards death and perceptions of do-not-resuscitate (DNR) orders between the elderly living in a facility and those living at home, in order to provide basic data for effective nursing interventions to help the elderly prepare for death in a positive manner. The subjects of this study were 300 persons over 65 years old who lived in a facility or home in Seoul or Gyeonggi Province, South Korea, and data were collected from 1 April to 15 August 2012. Descriptive analysis, χ(2)-test, and ANCOVA were conducted on the data using the SPSS version 20.0 program. With regard to attitudes towards death, the elderly in a facility reported that physical pain relief was most necessary for a comfortable death, and the elderly living at home reported that psychological stability was most required. With regard to perceptions of DNR orders, most of the participants agreed that DNR is sometimes necessary (institution: 86.7%, home: 78.7%). About 8% more of the elderly living in a facility considered DNR to sometimes be necessary compared with the elderly living at home. In conclusion, the elderly living in a facility were interested in physical pain relief or physical health, and the elderly living at home were focused on psychological stability or psychological health. Based on the findings, basic data for development of effective nursing interventions to help the elderly prepare for death in a positive manner can be provided.

Relationships between menopausal syndrome and sleeping of middle-aged women.

[Purpose] This study aimed to examine the correlation between menopausal syndrome and sleep state of middle-aged women, and to examine the factors influencing menopausal syndrome. [Subjects] The subjects included 59 middle-aged women in Seoul, South Korea. [Methods] A cross-sectional design was adopted. The measurement tools were a general characteristics form, Menopause Symptom Index (MENSI), and sleep state scale. [Results] There was a significantly negative correlation between menopausal syndrome and sleep state of middle-aged women. The analyses showed that the prediction model was significant. The value of the adjusted R(2) was 0.279, which corresponds to an explanatory power of 27.9%. The factor found to have the most influence on menopausal syndrome of middle-aged women was sleep state, followed by sexual life satisfaction, and health status. [Conclusion] Nursing intervention programs for alleviating menopausal syndrome of middle-aged women are essential in order to improve sleep state, sexual life satisfaction, and health status. The findings from this study will contribute to help them for controlling and relieving the menopausal syndrome of middle-aged women.

Factors Influencing the Dysmenorrhea among Korean Adolescents in Middle School.

[Purpose] This study aimed to examine the factors influencing dysmenorrhea among Korean middle school adolescents. [Subjects] The subjects included 572 female students in three different middle schools located in Seoul, South Korea. [Methods] A cross-sectional design was adopted. The measurement tools used included a demographic form and revised Menstrual distress Questionnaire (MDQ). [Results] The analyses showed that the prediction model was significant. The value of the adjusted R(2) was 0.282, which corresponds to an explanatory power of 28.2%. The factor found to have the most influence on dysmenorrhea among Korean middle school adolescents was stress, followed by health status, onset of dysmenorrhea, consecutive days of menstruation, and dietary habits. [Conclusion] Nursing intervention programs for alleviating dysmenorrhea in Korean middle school adolescents are essential in order to reduce their level of stress, improve their perceived health status, and help them to maintain regular dietary habits. Reflecting on the recent trend of female students menstruating at a younger age, public health education courses and counseling programs should offer customized methods for alleviating dysmenorrhea.

Factors influencing the life satisfaction in the older Korean women living alone.

BACKGROUND: The population of Korea is aging rapidly. The older population varies in characteristics in accordance with a wide-range of circumstances; therefore, categorizing the overall older population as a homogeneous group, could misrepresent their issues. For that reason, the study of older people should be focused on the diversity of characteristics among the older population. The aims of this study were to examine and identify the factors related to life satisfaction in older Korean women living alone. This study was a cross-sectional survey design. The participants comprised of 243 older women over the age of 65, who met eligibility criteria. MEASURES: Measures were a demographic characteristics form, the Health Self-Rating Scale, the Self-Esteem Scale (RSES), the Korean Geriatric Depression Scale Short Form, and the Life Satisfaction Instrument. RESULTS: Degrees of the perceived health status, self-esteem, and depression were higher than the median. Life satisfaction was lower than the median. Predictors that determine life satisfaction in older Korean women living alone were depression, perceived health status, self-esteem, and monthly allowance. All these predictors, or factors, had an explanatory power of 48.2% for life satisfaction among older Korean women living alone. Of all these predictor factors, depression had the largest impact. CONCLUSIONS: The major factor influencing the life satisfaction in older Korean women living alone was depression. These findings suggest that there is a need to develop nursing strategies aimed at decreasing depression in order to increase life satisfaction in older women living alone.