PURPOSE: This study sought to find a nursing intervention tool for enhancing elderly women's lives by investigating the causes and the meaning of their grief.
METHOD
This research was derived from a phenomenological tool such as qualitative research design. The data collection took place from December of 2000 until April of 2001 Through systematic interviews and participatory observations of five elderly women attending C welfare center located in downtown Seoul the data was collected. Each interview lasted an hour and a half and was arranged five times. The analysis of this research was conducted using the Giorgi method.
RESULTS
(1) There was obvious physical and physiological decline caused by aging old; as well as there being spouse health problems, additional physical suffering, signs of senility, adn insomnia, (2) Further grief was imposed by unpleasant memories of the spouse; infidelity, incapability, and even disregard of her own well-being, (3) Then there was pity for children; unfaithful children, uncertain futures of the children, and early death of a child, (4) Also, regrettable fate, painful daily acttrities, unreliable factors, bad circumstances, and feelings emptiness were reported, (5) Finally, anxiety for the future; ac sense of despair, loneliness, economic hardship, and the fear of imminent death increased grief levels.
CONCLUSION
A variety of programs and social meetings for the elderly to overcome their physiological or psychological crisis should be substantially developed and supported by the government. In order to implement the social welfare for the elderly women, special consideration whether on the governmental level or the personal level, should be devoted to the elderly who live without any financial support or social concern.

The purpose of this study was to identify the level of grief experience, family hardiness and family resource for management after bereavement of a family member. The subjects of this study were 100 family members who had lost a family member from cancer within the past two years. The data was analyzed using the SPSS program for descriptive statistics, t-test, ANOVA, Duncan test, and Pearson correlation. The results were as follows. 1. The mean score for the level of grief was 2.84 +/- 0.66. The mean score for the a family hardiness was 3.08 +/- 0.39. The mean score for the level of family resource management was 2.70 +/- 0.35. 2. The level of grief experience differed according to respondent's age was F=2.95, p=.02, and type of bereavement was t=2.01, p=.04. 3. The level of family hardiness was not significantly different according to respondent's and familial characteristics. 4. The level of family resource management differed according to monthly income of the family (F=3.98, p=.01). 5. There were negative correlations between grief experience and family hardiness (r= -.551, p<.001), grief experience and family resource for management (r=-.351, p<.001). Family hardiness was positively related with family resource for management (r=.709, p<.001). In conclusion, family hardiness and family resource management were identified as important variables that contributed to reduce the grief experience. Therefore, it is important to develop nursing intervention that enhances family hardiness and family resource for management for bereaved family.

PURPOSE: This study was done to develop the concept of grief focusing on the process of spousal bereavement in Korea. METHODS: The Hybrid model was used for analysis according to the 3 phases. An extensive literature review was done for the Theoretical phase. In-depth interviews were conducted with 15 participants whose spouses died within the past 3 years in the Field phase. In the Final analytic phase, the results in the Theoretical and the Field phases were compared, analyzed, and integrated according to the process of grief. RESULTS: The antecedent of the concept of spousal grief was spousal death. The dimensions of grief were classified to inner dimensions related to oneself, relational dimensions related to family and others, and existential dimensions related to the meaning of being. The attributes of grief were physical suffering, decline of cognitive ability, heartbreaking sorrow, expectations and conflicts of a new life, social stigma, dependence on or resentment towards God, etc. The empirical referent of grief was physical, psychological, social, and spiritual health status. The grieving progressed through 3 phasesshock-emancipation, suffering, and integration. CONCLUSION: Nurses should recognize the importance of their unique position as supporters for grievers, and try to assess individual characteristics and to provide tailored nursing interventions.