The purpose of this study was to explore adjustment pattern of illness process of people with hemophilia in Korea.

23 people with hemophilia had participated for this study. The data were collected through in-depth interviews and analyzed using Strauss & Corbin's grounded theory method.

“would be free from” was emerged as a core category and it reflects that all participants wanted to be free from the constraints of the disease. The adjustment process was categorized into two stage, the ‘ unstable stage’ and the ‘ stable stage’. In the process of “would be free from” four different patterns were identified: hopelessness type; appreciation type; challenge type; and transcendence type. These types were identified based on the degree of pursuing normal life and managing the disease, and social support. The most frequently occurring type was hopelessness type but the participants of this type suffered the most. The transcendence type was the most ideal type, but it occurred the least.

The results of this study indicate that people with hemophilia in Korea still suffer from the disease and they need supports. The results would be useful for health care professionals in establishing education and counseling program for the people with hemophilia.

To explore how young adults in their 20s adjust to hemophilia.

Grounded theory method guided the data collection and analysis. A purposeful sample of 15 young adults with hemophilia participated during the period of 2000-2001. The data were collected by semi-structured individual interviews, focus group interviews, and participant observations. All interviews were audio taped and transcribed verbatim. Constant comparative analysis was employed to analyze the data.

“Living like a normal person” emerged as the basic social-psychological process. Two dimensions of the self were identified: normal self and abnormal self. “Living like a normal person” means conscious effort to focus on normal self rather than abnormal self. Five subcategories were identified : 1) pretending as if he is not hemophiliac; 2) relieving the burden; 3) maintaining best physical conditions; 4) becoming independent; and 5) reconciliating with their mothers.

The results of this study indicate that young adults with hemophilia strive for living a life as a normal person. But there is a question whether it is good for their ultimate quality of life. The results indicate that our society needs to be more tolerant to differences that hemophiliacs have.

The purpose of this study was to identify the effects of Self-help program for Young adults with hemophilia.

A quasi-experimental design was used. The subjects were 40 young adults with hemophilia, 21 in the experimental group and 19 in the control group. The subjects of the experimental group participated in a self-help group program for five sessions for 5 weeks. The program consisted of health education abouthemophilia, exercise, and therapeutic recreation. Its outcomes were evaluated on self-efficacy, ADL, depression, and quality of life. The obtained data was analyzedusing the Mann-Whitney U test of SPSS.

1) The scores of self-efficacy, ADL and quality of life increased significantly in the experimental group as compared to the control group. 2) The score of depression decreased significantly in the experimental group as compared to the control group.

Considering these research results, the program is effective in improving self-management ability and quality of life. Therefore this program could be implemented as a self-help group program for hemophilia clients.