This paper presents methodological paradigms: quantitative positivistic (logical empiricism) as the received tradition in the scientific inquiry and qualitative naturalistic (post-positivism or nataralism) as a new paradigm in the Kuhnian sense. Various kind of qualitative methods under the umbrella term, qualitative inquiry, were briefly introduced. Details on the definition, epistemology, naming of subject, field technique (participant observation and ethnographic interview) of ethnographic research method as an adequate method for studying on the unique nursing phenomena in Korean culture were done. Besides, the concept of triangulation, issues on the methododogical paradigm, a criteria for rigor of qualitative naturalistic inquiry were mentioned.

The ZZimzilbang is a room where many women eagerly go due to the special meaning women give to it related to their health. It is a different type of sauna room which maintains low degree of temperature, consisting of an Ondol room(Korean under-floor heating system, hypocaust) built with mineral stone radiating ultrared rays. Even though many women mention that they utilize if for health, there is no precise evidence of the effects of their health. This ethnographic study sought to define the phenomenon from the perspective of the women who experienced the ZZimzilbang. A convenience sample of 27 women was interviewed during a 15 month period from December 1995 to July 1997 in 12 ZZimzilbangs located in Seoul, Korea. The mean ages of the women 57.3 years ; seventeen women were housekeeper and only eight women had job ; twenty women were married and three women among them were widows. The main reasons women patronize the place are : for mitigation and healing of physical signs and symptoms ; composure ; safe lodging and boarding ; control of outward appearance ; control of health ; meeting and fellowship with friends ; and custom. The outcomes of the utilization of the place were : mitigation of physical signs and symptoms ; psychological tranquility ; cosmetic and diet ; good use of spare time ; and utilization of services provided there. Most women who visited ZZimzilbang for relief of physical signs and symptoms strongly mentioned a correlation to inadequate Sanhujori, the traditional postpartal and postabortal care for woman. Some of specific kinds of services provided in that place were alternative therapy such as acupuncture, negative cupping, finger-pressure, mugwort steam and various kinds of massage including massage of blood vessels that are influenced by Oriental medicine ; health education of breathing such as abdominal breathing or Danjeon ; selling of many things including health foods, drugs for osteoporosis, and eutrophics This study suggests that professional caregivers should further study this phenomenon for the development of adequate care of women with a resulting important in their quality of life.

This ethnogrphic exploratory study sought to define the meaning of Sanhubyung, as consequence from the perspective of the women who experienced it. A convenience sample of 9 elderly women in San Francisco, and 20 postpartal women and their 20 non-professional helpers during postpartum in Seoul, Korea were observed and interviewed for 23 months from January 1991 to December 1992 at the Human Development Center in San Francisco and at the hospital and their homes in Seoul, Korea. Sanhubyung was regarded as the consequence of "Doing a Sanhujori Wrongly," as a group of symptoms or sequelae which have two types of characteristics of symptoms; chronic and acute. It can be called a culture bound syndrome in the cultural context related to childbearing phenomenon in Korea. If women violate the principles of Sanhujori, such symptoms can appear at various times: during the period of postpartum itself, at any time, periodically, especially at the anniversary of the child's birth, late forties, and in old age. Acute symptoms that can be classified into immediate and late types include painful and edematous gingiva, sensitive teeth, strange sensation and pain in the knees or backache. Besides, there is a localized sense of soreness and pain; sense of being in a draft and cold, stomach upset, GI irritation, chilling, shivering, and tiredness, pain and dazzling in the eyes. Chronic symptoms occur in the head, neck, teeth, back, hands, knees, hands and feet, arms and legs, eyes, sinews and joints, bones, and in the body or as a whole. Generally these symptoms are pain, often accompanying a feeling of being cold and in a draft, regardless of actual weather conditions. In conclusion, this findings reflect the Oriental way of thought of causal relationship of women's health and illness based on the wholistic paradigm of harmony and balance of two forces, Yin(cold) ?Yang(hot). It provides a challenge to the professional sector to rethink the effect of culture on health and illness. Finally, it suggests care providers use cultural assessment for the appropriateness of the intervention and quality of care for desirable health outcomes.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was 1) analyze the current state of Sanhojoriwon; and 2) to suggest the new model for the community based mother infants health care delivery system: strategies of TMIC are related to Public Health policy, cost-effectiveness, mother infant care provision of medical professionalism, and so on.
METHOD
Forty-seven workers from seventeen Sanhojoriwon participated to analyze several aspects of Sanhojoriwon. Using a questionnaire developed at Korean Sanhojori Research Forum (KSARF), such as the traditional and medical concept of the Sanhojori, postpartum care, Korean traditional postpartum care, job description on women and infant care at Sanhojoriwon, professional management, health care policy and the educational need.
RESULTS
Based on the descriptive study results, the TMIC, the community based transitional mother infants care center was suggested as a new model for the cyclic public health care system related on the reproductive health, using an already existing related center, Sanhojoriwon. Also, several strategies were presented on the TMIC.

The purpose of this study was to analyze the relationship among the health promoting behaviors, self-reported climacteric symptoms and depression on a cross-sectional survey design. The subjects were 108 middle-aged women who were non-hystrectomized and ranged in age from 40 to 60. They were selected in Seoul and Kyoung-ki province, Korea. Data were collected from Oct. 25 to Nov. 10, 1997 by a structured questionnaire. The instrument used for this study was the revised Health Promotion Lifestyle Profile(HPLP) developed by Walker, Sechrist and Pender, revised Climacteric Symptoms Scale developed by Chi, Sung Ai, and the Beck's Depression Inventory(BID). The data were analyzed by the SPSS/PC+ program using t-test, ANOVA and Scheffe test as a post hoc and Pearson Correlation Coefficient. The results of the study were as follows ; 1. The mean score of health promoting behaviors was low(2.42+/-0.35). There were statistically significant difference in the score of health promoting behaviors according to the educational background, family income, marital satisfaction, and whether or not taking a restorative food(t=-2.07, F=2.60~7.57, p<0.05). 2. The mean score of self-reported climacteric symptoms was 1.69 ; 99% of middle-aged women had symptoms. There were statistically significant difference in the score of middle-aged women's self-reported climacteric symptoms according to the age, number of children, educational background, occupation, family income, marital satisfaction, whether or not receiving hormone replacement therapy(HRT) or consultation experience with a professional, and perceived health status(t=-2.04~3.69, F=2.87~11.63, p<0.05). 3. The mean score of depression was 10.84. There were statistically significant differences in the score of the depression according to the age, number of children, educational background, occupation, marital satisfaction, whether or not receiving menopausal treatment of consultation by a professional, and perceived health status(t=-2.25~3.00, F=3.50~9.24, p<0.05). 4. Women's degree of health promoting behaviors was a negative correlation with the degree of climacteric symptoms(r=-0.19, p=0.03) and the degree of depression(r=-0.23, p=0.01). The degree of climacteric symptoms was a positive correlation with the degree of depression(r=0.64, p=0.01). In conclusion, health promoting behavior should be considered when developing nursing strategies for middle-aged women, especially when dealing with climacteric symptoms and depression.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to develop and evaluate the effects of a support group intervention on the burden of primary family caregivers of stroke patients. METHOD: A nonequivalent control group pretest-posttest design was used. The subjects were 36 primary family caregivers of stroke patients [experimental(N=18) and control(N=18) groups] in a neurosurgery ward of a university hospital. The experimental group members participated in six sessions of a support group intervention for two weeks and the degree of their caregiving burden was evaluated. Data was analyzed by Chi-square tests, t-tests, and paired t-tests using SPSS 10.0. RESULT: The experimental group had a significantly lower total burden score (t=2.061, p= .047)and sub-scales of emotional(t=-3.319, p= .002), time-dependent(t=-2.045, p= .049) and developmental(t=-2.656, p= .012) burden scores than the control group, while no significant differences were found in physical, social or financial burden scores between the two groups. Within the experimental group, there was a significant decrease in physical(t=2.507, p= .023), emotional(t=4.754, p= .000), social(t=2.932, p= .009), time- dependent(t=5.015, p= .000) and developmental(t=7.541, p= .000) burden scores but not the financial burden score. CONCLUSION: The results suggest that a support group intervention can be utilized as an effective nursing program to reduce the burden of primary family caregivers of stroke patients.