PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to analyze types of nurse's attitudes toward the aging process. METHODS: A Q-methodology which provides a method of analyzing the subjectivity of each item was used. Thirty-four selected Q-statements from each of 38 subjects were classified into a shape of normal distribution using a 9 point scale. The collected data was analyzed using a QUANL PC program. RESULTS: Five types of attitudes towards the aging process from research subjects in Korean nurses were identified. Type I is a positive acceptance type, Type II is a negative acceptance type, Type III is a passive coping type, Type IV is an active coping type, and Type V is an ambiguous acceptance type. CONCLUSION: The results of the study indicate that different approaches of educational programs for elderly care are recommended based on the five types of nurse's attitude toward the aging process.

PURPOSE: This study examined the fitness of a path model on the relationship among stress, self-esteem, aggression, depression, suicidal ideation, and violent behavior for adolescents. METHODS: The subjects consisted of 1,177 adolescents. Data was collected through self-report questionnaires. The data was analyzed by the SPSS and AMOS programs. RESULTS: Stress, self-esteem, aggression, and depression showed a direct effect on suicidal ideation for adolescents, while stress, self-esteem, and aggression showed an indirect effect on suicidal ideation for adolescents. Stress, self-esteem, aggression, and suicidal ideation showed a direct effect on violent behavior for adolescents, while stress, self-esteem, aggression, and depression showed an indirect effect on violent behavior for adolescents. The modified path model of adolescent's suicidal ideation and violent behavior was proven correct. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that adolescent's suicidal ideation and violent behavior can be decreased by reducing stress, aggression, and depression and increasing self-esteem. Based on the outcomes of this study, it is necessary to design an intervention program that emphasizes reducing stress, aggression, and depression and increasing self-esteem in order to decrease adolescents' suicide ideation and violence.

PURPOSE: This study was to verify the effect of muscle strengthening exercises using a Thera-Band on the lower limbs. METHODS: The design utilized for this study was a nonequivalent control group pretest-posttest design. A control group (16) and experimental group (16) were selected from stroke patients of K Oriental Medicine Hospital who were hospitalized for 5 months from December 2005 through April 2006. While only acupuncture therapy and physical therapy were used on the control group, acupuncture, physical therapy and additional muscle strengthening exercises using a red thera band were used on the experimental group. Muscle strengthening was performed 20 minutes per session, more than one session a day for 4 weeks. Hypotheses for this study were verified using Two-way repeated ANOVA and ANCOVA using a pre test score as a covariate. RESULTS: The experimental group with thera band muscle strengthening exercises showed a decrease in asymmetry weight loading percentage(F=14.704, P= .010), range of knee (Z=-3.15, P= .001) & deep tendon reflex score(Z=-2.52, P= .012) and moving performance(F=12.328, P= .001)compared to the control group. CONCLUSION: It is confirmed that muscle strengthening exercises using a Thera-Band can be used as an effective nursing intervention to improve the function of the lower limb of hemiplegic stroke patients.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to identify the factors influencing fatigue in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. METHODS: A descriptive correlational study design was used. A convenience sample of 125 subjects was recruited from the outpatient respiratory clinic at a large university hospital. Data was collected from June to October, 2005 using structured questionnaires, an oxygen saturation test, a 6-minute walking test, and a pulmonary function test. RESULTS: Subjects had a slightly low degree of fatigue. The fatigue showed a significant correlation with emotion(r= .589, p= .000), dyspnea(r= .304, p= .001), self-efficacy (r= -.278, p= .002), and symptom experience(r= .238, p= .008). Emotion(34.7%) and dyspnea(5.8%) were significant predictors to explain fatigue. CONCLUSION: This study provides comprehensive understanding of the influencing factors on fatigue in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Nursing interventions to decrease negative emotion and dyspnea for management of fatigue is suggested.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to investigate the factors influencing nurses' clinical decision making focusing on critical thinking disposition. METHODS: The subjects of this study consisted of 505 nurses working at one of the general hospitals located in Seoul. Data was collected by a self-administered questionnaire between December 2006 and January 2007. Data was analyzed by one way ANOVA, Pearson correlation coefficients, and stepwise multiple regression using SPSS Win 14.0. RESULTS: The mean scores of critical thinking disposition and clinical decision making were 99.10 and 134.32 respectively. Clinical decision making scores were significantly higher in groups under continuing education, with a master or higher degree, with clinical experience more than 5 years, or with experts. Critical thinking disposition and its subscales have a significant correlation with clinical decision making. Intellectual eagerness/curiosity, prudence, clinical experience, intellectual honesty, self-confidence, and healthy skepticism were important factors influencing clinical decision making(adjusted R2=33%). CONCLUSION: Results of this study suggest that various strategies such as retaining experienced nurses, encouraging them to continue with education and enhancing critical thinking disposition are warranted for development of clinical decision making.

PURPOSE: This study aimed at exploring relationships among Internet addiction, smoking, and drinking and examining the effect factors on Internet addiction, smoking and drinking. METHODS: By using stratified sampling, 1,529 participants representing high school students in the Kangwon province were selected. Data was analyzed by SPSS 12.0. using chi-square, Pearson correlation coefficient and multiple regression. RESULTS: One-fifth of the total participants were at the mild or moderate stage of Internet addiction. Regarding smoking, 22.7% of male subjects and 4.5% of female subjects were current smokers. Regarding drinking, the percentages of subjects who drank alcohol once or twice per month were 53.5% of male students and 40.7% of female students. Internet addiction positively correlated with depression, novelty seeking, harm avoidance and reward dependence, Internet addiction negatively correlated with persistence, self-directness, cooperativeness, and self-transcendence. Significant factors affecting Internet addiction were depression, gender, novelty seeking, and self-transcendence. Important factors influencing smoking were drinking, gender, school type, satisfaction with school, novelty seeking, and reward dependence. Significant factors affecting drinking were smoking, novelty seeking, school type and ages. CONCLUSION: This study shows the necessity of developing and implementing effective intervention programs in order to prevent adolescents from experiencing Internet addiction and health risk behaviors.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to identify the entity of critical care nursing practices through analyzing nursing statements described by electronic nursing records in a MICU. METHODS: 176,459 nursing statements of 188 patients during a 6 month-stay were analyzed statement by statement according to the nursing process(nursing phenomena, nursing diagnosis, & nursing activity) and 21 nursing components of Saba's Clinical Care Classification. RESULTS: Among 176,459 single statements, the statements of nursing activity ranked first in number. The contents of the statements were analyzed and categorized by main themes. Among 489 categorized themes, the number of themes of nursing phenomena statements was the highest. When analyzed by Saba's clinical Care Classification, the nursing statements mainly included a physiological component. Among 21 components, the respiratory component ranked in the first position in nursing phenomena, nursing diagnosis and nursing activity. The extra statements not included in the 21 components were 9,294(15.1%) in nursing phenomena and 21,949(22.7%) in nursing activity. Most are statements related to tests and the doctor. CONCLUSION: The entity of MICU nursing practice expressed by electronic nursing records was mainly focused on physiological components and more precisely on respiratory components.

PURPOSE: This study was done to develop and examine the effects of a self-management program (SMP) on physical, psychological functions, and symptoms in patients with Parkinson's disease(PD). METHODS: In a two-group pre-and post-test design, a total of 40 patients were assigned to the experimental group(21) or the control group (19). The experimental group received eight weekly 2-hour sessions for 10-15 literate adults of all ages, while the control group did not receive any intervention. RESULTS: The experimental group showed significant improvements in muscle strength, balance, self-efficacy, depression, quality of life(QL), quality of sleep, and discomfort of constipation. It also reduced the number of participants using assistive walking devices. There were no significant changes in fear of falling and duration of sleep. CONCLUSION: The eight week SMP in patients with PD was found to be significantly effective in enhancing muscle strength, balance, self-efficacy, QL, and quality of sleep. It also decreased depression, discomfort of constipation, and assistive walking devices. These results suggest that a SMP can have effects on physical, psychological functions and symptoms in patients with PD. Further research with a larger sample and for a longer follow up period is needed to expand our understanding of the effects of a SMP for patients with PD.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to identify the effects of a physical activity-behavior modification combined intervention(PABM-intervention) on metabolic risk factors in overweight and obese elementary school children. METHODS: Thirty-two participants (BMI≥85 percentile or relative obesity≥10) were allocated to the PABM-intervention group and behavior modification only intervention group. The PABM-intervention was composed of exercise intervention consisting of 50 minutes of physical activity(Hip-hop dance & gymbased exercises) twice a week and the behavior modification intervention consisted of 50 minutes of instruction for modifying lifestyle habits (diet & exercise) once a week. Effectiveness of intervention was based on waist circumference, BP, HDL-cholesterol, TG, and fasting glucose before and after the intervention. RESULTS: The proportion of subjects with 1, 2, 3 or more metabolic risk factors were 28.1, 43.8, and 15.6%, respectively. After the 8-week intervention, waist circumference, systolic BP, diastolic BP, and HDL-cholesterol changed significantly(p<.01) in the PABM group. CONCLUSION: This provides evidence that a PABM-intervention is effective in changing metabolic risk factors such as waist circumference, systolic BP, diastolic BP, and HDL-cholesterol in overweight and obese elementary school children.

PURPOSE: This qualitative study aimed to identify the common, lived experiences of grandmothers who cared for their grandchildren as the primary caregivers. METHODS: This study was based on the phenomenological method described by Colaizzi (1978). RESULTS: Seven theme clusters emerged from the data as follows: "grandmother caregivers accept the parenting role of the incessant responsibilities and the distrust of non-kin caregivers.", "grandmother caregivers have a double maternal roles; an instrument-oriented maternal role to their own child and relationship-oriented maternal role to their grandchild.", "grandmother caregivers are partially authorized to make decisions in the matters of their grandchild.", "grandmother caregivers suffer a deterioration in their health by an acceleration of the aging process.", "caregiving causes grandmother caregivers to feel a sense of social isolation, and persue various coping strategies to control this feeling.", "grandmother caregivers have a greater feeling of self-esteem, but they often conflict with their adult children if they don't feel appreciated by them.", "grandmother caregivers have limited social support and their health issues are often overlooked in the family context." CONCLUSION: The results of this study can guide nurses and health care workers to understand the experiences of grandmother caregivers and to implement individualized nursing interventions suited for them.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to describe the essence of the experiences of patients in an ICU, and to understand them from the patients' point of view. METHODS: Participants in this study were six patients in P hospital. Data collection consisted of in-depth interviews and an observation method done from January to April in 2005. The method was analysis using the phenomenological method proposed by Colaizzi(1978). RESULTS: The themes were classified into eight theme clusters. The eight theme clusters were finally grouped into four categories, 'shock', 'pain', 'gratefulness' and 'pleasure of revival'. CONCLUSION: The ICU patients had negative experiences in physical.mental critical situations, but also positive experiences in consolation and nurses and families' encouragement. Therefore, ICU nurses must support patients and their families to minimize the negative experiences and maximize the positive experiences.

PURPOSE: This study was performed to measure expectations regarding aging among community-residing older adults, identify sociodemographic characteristics associated with the level of expectations regarding aging, and examine whether expectations regarding aging were associated with health-promoting behaviors. METHODS: Data was collected by using questionnaires of a short version of the Expectations Regarding Aging Survey (ERA-18) and Health Promoting Lifestyle Profile II (HPLP II) from 99 older adults who resided in the community of Kyunggi, Daegu, and Kyungpook province. RESULTS: More than 75% of the participants reported that it was an expected part of aging to have more aches and pains, to become depressed, and to become more forgetful. The mean score of expectations regarding aging was 23.15+/-17.80 (possible range 0-100). The old-old, women, those with less education, less monthly allowance and poor health status had lower expectations regarding aging than other elderly. After controlling for sociodemographic characteristics and perceived health, expectations regarding aging were independently associated with health-promoting behaviors in older adults. CONCLUSION: The findings demonstrate that older Korean adults have low expectations regarding aging, and expectations regarding aging influence health-promoting behaviors.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to investigate the risk of malnutrition and its relationship with depression and perceived health status. METHODS: A total number of 154 elderly over 60 years participated in the study through a community elderly center. The risk of malnutrition was measured by NSI (Nutritional Screening Initiative), depression by CES-D, and health status by a self-rated Likert scale. RESULTS: About one fourth (22.7%) of the subjects had a high risk, and 31.2% had a moderate risk of getting malnutrition. Regarding depression, 34.4% (53 elderly) of the subjects had a high risk. Overall health status had a mean of 3.46 within the range of 1 to 5. In relation to demographic factors, female elderly (chi-square=6.68, p= .04), aged younger than 75 years old (chi-square=8.60, p= .01), and having co-morbidity (F=9.81, p= .001) were significantly related to a high risk of malnutrition. Having a higher depression score, higher number of co-morbidity, and lower perceived health status were significantly related to a higher risk of becoming malnourished. CONCLUSION: The elderly's risk of getting malnutrition was significantly related to their depression and perceived health status. With these findings nursing interventions focusing on these factors should be developed in order to improve the elderly's multidimensional well-being.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of Kangaroo Care(KC) on anxiety, maternal role confidence, and maternal infant attachment of mothers who delivered preterm infants. METHODS: The research design was a nonequivalent control group pretest-posttest. Data was collected from September 1. 2006 to June 20. 2007. The participants were 22 mothers in the experimental group and 21 in the control group. KC was applied three times per day, for a total of ten times in 4 days to the experimental group. RESULTS: The degree of anxiety was statistically significantly different between the two groups but maternal role confidence and maternal infant attachment was statistically insignificant. CONCLUSION: This data suggests that KC was effective for mothers anxiety relief but it was not effective for maternal role confidence and maternal infant attachment of mothers. The implications for nursing practice and directions for future research need to be discussed.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to examine the degrees of cellular phone usage among middle school students and to identify discriminating factors of addictive use of cellular phones among sociodemographic and psychological variables. METHODS: From 123 middle schools in Busan, potential participants were identified through stratified random sampling and 747 middle school students participated in the study. The data was collected from December 1, 2004 to December 30, 2004. Descriptive and discriminant analyses were used. RESULTS: Fifty seven percent of the participants were male and 89.7% used cellular phones at school. The participants were grouped into three groups depending on the levels of the cellular phone usage: addicted (n=117), dependent (n=418), non-addicted (n=212). Within the three groups, two functions were produced and only one function was significant, discriminating the addiction group from non-addiction group. Additional discriminant analysis with only two groups produced one function that classified 81.2% of the participants correctly into the two groups. Impulsiveness, anxiety, and stress were significant discriminating factors. CONCLUSION: Based on the findings of this study, developing intervention programs focusing on impulsiveness, anxiety and stress to reduce the possible addictive use of cellular phones is suggested.

PURPOSE: This study was to develop and to evaluate a health diary program for solitary elderly. METHODS: The research design was a nonequivalent control group pretest-posttest design. There were 30 subjects the experimental group and 54 in the control group among solitary elderly over age 65. The independent variable was the health diary program, and the dependent variables were perceived health status, ADL, IADL, Blood pressure, blood sugar, quality of life, self efficacy and health promoting behaviors. The health diary program was performed for 50minutes, twice a week for 8 weeks. Data was collected from April 3 to June 23, 2006. RESULTS: The experimental group showed a significant difference in perceived health status, blood sugar, ADL, IADL, quality of life, self efficacy, and health promotion behaviors than the control group. There were no significant differences in systolic & diastolic blood pressure. CONCLUSION: A health diary program showed good effects on improving health status, quality of life, self efficacy, and health promotion behaviors. Therefore, we recommend this program be utilized as a health promoting program for the solitary elderly in the community.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to identify the present situation of hospital infection and route of infection by clarifying the transmission aspect of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus(MRSA) in a Neurosurgical Intensive Care Unit by analysing genotype. METHODS: MRSA was cultured from twenty five patients with a tracheostomy, twenty five health care workers, and environments in the Neurosurgical Intensive Care Unit of one hospital in D city. Data was collected from December 21, 2004 to November 5, 2005. MRSA isolates representing each genotype were analyzed by spaA typing and a multiplex PCR method capable of identifying the structural type of the staphylococcal cassette chromosome mec(SCCmec) carried by the bacteria. RESULTS: As the same genotype and gene sequence were found among health care workers, patients, and environments, it was assumed that there was cross transmission among them. CONCLUSION: This study suggests that first, as the hospital infection by MRSA between health care workers and patients in the Neurosurgical Intensive Care Unit was due to result of cross transmission and the relevance of transmission between them was verified, it is necessary to take preventive measures and conduct education. Secondly, development of nursing interventions and study of infection are needed. Thirdly, consistent investment in prevention against hospital infections and environmental renovation is needed.

PURPOSE: This study was to identify the effects of hope intervention on hope and depression of cancer patients staying at home. METHODS: The study design was a randomized control group design. The subjects consisted of forty cancer patients randomly selected who were registered at S-Gu Public Health Center. Hope intervention, which was composed of hope assessment, hope objective setting, positive self identity formation, therapeutic relationships, spiritual & transcendental process improvement, positive environmental formation and hope evaluation, was provided from November 20, 2006 to January 26, 2007. RESULTS: The 1-1 hypothesis, "The experimental group which received hope intervention will have a higher score of hope than the control group", was supported(t=-3.253, p= .003). The 1-2 hypothesis, "The experimental group which received hope intervention will have a higher level of hope index than the control group", was supported (t=-4.001, p= .000). Therefore the 1st hypothesis, "The experimental group which received hope intervention will have a higher level of hope than the control group" was supported. The 2nd hypothesis, "The experimental group which received hope intervention will have a lower level of depression than the control group", was not supported (t=1.872, p= .070). CONCLUSION: Hope intervention is an effective nursing intervention to enhance hope for patient with cancer.

PURPOSE: The role of sex role identity types and health promoting behaviors in relation to premenstrual symptoms and interrelatedness among the three variables were examined. METHODS: A cross sectional descriptive study was employed with 327 female university students. KSRI, HPLP, and MDQ were used as measurement tools. RESULTS: Four types of sex role identities were classified; undifferentiated(33.7%), androgyny (32.7%), masculinity(16.8%), and femininity(16.8%) in order. Premenstrual symptoms(F=3.11, p= .027) and health promoting behaviors(F=12.74, p= .000) were significantly different by sex role identity types. As determinants of premenstrual symptoms, health promoting behaviors for all subjects, stress coping for the feminine type, and interpersonal relationships for the undifferentiated type were identified. In discriminating between the feminine type and undifferentiated type, premenstrual symptoms and self responsibility were shown as significant factors. CONCLUSION: Interrelatedness among sex role identity, health promoting behaviors and premenstrual symptoms imply the importance of a psychosocial aspect in premenstrual symptoms. Therefore, these three variables should be applied more specifically for nursing assessment and management of women having premenstrual symptoms.

PURPOSE: This study was to determine the current trend of nursing research as exploring both quantitative and qualitative methodologies, and to provide the explicit direction to improve the quality of published papers. METHODS: Total of 366 articles published between 2004 and 2006 was reviewed using the criteria of analysis. RESULTS: There was more number of quantitative studies than qualitative studies. More studies were conducted with subjects who had health problems, and studies that targeted women and elderly population have been significantly increased. In quantitative methodology, utilization of experimental and quasi-experimental designs has been increased, however descriptive study was dominant as yet. In qualitative methodology, studies using grounded theory and phenomenology were frequently published. It was noted that theoretical framework and rational for sample size were rarely presented in quantitative study. Philosophical position and the process of preparation for study, which guided the research, were not clearly described in qualitative study. CONCLUSION: The findings of this review suggest that published studies have been improved and diversified, however, detailed and clear evaluation tool that assesses study process and method should be developed as a way to further improve the quality of published papers.

PURPOSE: This study was to investigate the relationship between blood pressure, lipids and body mass index by smoking status among adolescents. METHODS: This study was designed as a descriptive correlational study. General and smoking characteristics were collected using a questionnaire. The smoking group consisted of 42 (33%) students and the non smoking group 85 (67%) students. Blood pressure, lipids, height and weight were measured, and body mass index was calculated to kg/m2. The collected data was analyzed by the n(%), chi-square-test, t-test and Pearson correlation coefficient (SPSS 12.0). RESULTS: 1. The smoking level was different between grade, smoking status among the family, the contentment of their relationship with their parents, school life and teachers. 2. The smoking group's systolic blood pressure, total cholesterol, triglyceride, low density lipoprotein cholesterol and body mass index were higher than those of the non smoking group. 3. The smoking amount had a significant positive correlation between total cholesterol and low density lipoprotein cholesterol. CONCLUSION: The result of this study offered basic data to develop intervention programs to prevent hypertension and hyperlipidemia in smoking adolescents.