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.

There has recently been an increased interest in women's health from, various disciplines, with different perspectives presented according to each profession's academic background. This has led to many instances of incorrectly defining, or misinterpretation, of the issues even among professionals. Nurse scholars as well as practitioners who work in women's health care need to have a clear conceptual understanding of women's health in order to build a body of knowledge, delineate curricular activities, and set directions for professional nursing interventions. In addition, a conceptual model that may be directly utilized in practice is needed to maintain and promote women's health issues. The purpose of this study was to apply a Hybrid model, analyzing conceptual definitions and discussions related to women's health gathered from review of the literature. Further to compare analyticals the concepts and properties observed from field work, so as to present a final definition of women's health and, build a conceptual framework for a united comprehensive perspective on the concept as well as on nursing practice. Data collection and analysis consisted of a theoretical stage, field work stage, and final analysis. a heterogeneous group of professionals and lay persons, 39 in all, participated in the field work. Study findings include several subconcepts under the concept of women's health : a women's whole life, holistic health, quality of life, awareness of being a woman, individual nursing, self care ability, reproductive health, and family health. Thus, a comprehensive definition was built, i. e., "Women's health care be defined as improvement in the quality of life of women through attainment of holistic health throughout the life span. With reproductive health at the core, the concept is directly related to family and national health, and includes taking care of one's own health based on awareness of being a woman and utilizing self care activities. Women's health care issues are unique and allow various responses, therefore women's health professionals need to apply individual approaches to reach solutions in attaining holistic health and improving quality of life." The constructual factors of women's health were found to be reproductive functions, diseases more common in woman, self actualization, mental health, women's health policies, sexuality, midlife changes, and marital relations, with each factor having more than three properties. Positive factors affecting women's health were found to be a normal childbearing process, a healthy lifestyle, active health management, health information, support and resources, and interpersonal relationships Negative factors were found to be overwhelming role stress, cultural oppression, gender inequality, distorted sexual identity, economic difficulties, misuse and/or abuse of substances, and stress. The model of women's health may be visualized as a balance scale set upon a woman's life, supporting 4 concentric circles. The innermost circle and second circle incorporate conceptual definitions of women's health, and the outer two circles represent the constructional factors and properties of women's health. Each circle has its own color that symbolizes the conceptual meaning. Positive and negative factors are represented as weights at either end of the scale, and are affected by nursing intervention, i. e., health and wellness increase when positive factors are stronger, whereas disease and illness increase when negative factors are stronger. This model is only a preliminary effort and requires much discussion and testing to be further developed. Continuous research is also required.

This study was conducted to develop a sexual satisfaction tool for married women in Korea. The data was collected from July 19 to Aug 18, 1997 by means of questionnaires developed by researchers. The subject were 417 married women living in Seoul and Pusan. The process of this study was as follows : 1) The concept of sexual satisfaction was defined. 2) A conceptual framework was identified based on the extensive review of relevant literature and interviews with married women. 3) The preliminary question items containing the attributes and elements of the concept of sexual satisfaction were listed. 4) The preliminary items were revised after a pilot study. 5) The Index of Content Validity(CVI) was calculated from the content specialists' rating. 6) The reliability and validity of the sexual satisfaction measurement tool were tested. As a result of the item and factor analysis, 17 out of 30 items were found to be valid, consequently could be used to measure sexual satisfaction for married women. These final 17 items were divided into two factors. These factors were labeled as "situation factor"(10 items) and "response factor"(7 items) according to the attributes of the clustered items. The reliability of the final 17 items was .9118. Further research in needed to confirm the reliability and validity of the tool by applying it to a group of healthy married women and to a group of married women having health-related problem.

Urinary incontinence is defined as the involuntary and inappropriate loss of urine to failure to emit normal responses as the bladder fills, or inability to reach the bathroom in sufficient time. This study was undertaken to estimate the incidence of urinary incontinence and to determine the correlates of urinary incontinence among women. Subjects of this survey consisted of 408 women, 26 to 83 years old in Incheon. The results of this study are follows. 1. Of the subjects 50.7% reported urine loss once or twice per year and 28.5% reported incontinence on a regular basis at least once per month. 2. 40.5% of women reported small volume accidents of only 1 to 2drops, 31.4% ; 1t-spoon, 16.9% ; 1T-spoon, while 10.1% of women couldn't estimate the volume of urine loss. 3. The volume of urine loss was great enough to require a change of garment(undergarments or outer garments) in 73%. But only 3.8% of those used some type of pads. 4. 56.5% of incontinent women didn't talk about their urinary incontinence with other persons because they felt that urinary incontinence was shameful(38.4%), was not a disease(31.6%), was incurable in spite of treatment(27.4%) and was fearful of being uncured(2.6%). 5. Only 15.5% of urinary incontinent women had sought treatment. 6. The incidence of urinary incontinence was significantly higher in women who had more pariety and uterine-ovarian disease, older age, worrying about where toilets were when they visited new places or voiding anxiety, nocturia and frequency, but was significantly lower in women who had coffee intake. The incidence of urinary incontinence was not related to smoking and enuresis. The results indicate that urinary incontinence is common among young and middle-aged women. That few seek treatment for urinary incontinence suggests a need for more information about women's attitudes toward urinary incontinence and more attention to this problem by health care providers.

The purpose of this study was to understand the subjective breastfeeding experience of primiparous women to identify how breastfeeding was started and to explore the process of breastfeeding. The Grounded theory methodology was used. Data was collected from 6 primiparous women who had breastfeed their infants for at least over 8 weeks, recently breastfeeding or having breatfeed their infants within the last 6 months. With the permission of the subjects, the interviews were recorded and transcribed. The data were analysed in the framework of grounded theory method as mapped out by Strauss and Corbin(1990). 105 concepts and 21 subcategories were of data analysis. In the process of data analysis, "Identity as a mother" was found to be the core phenomenon. The 21 sub-categories were as follows : natural food, neighbour inducement, self purpose, good feeling, tenderness, breast pain, change of breast shape, physical discomfort, loss of physical energy, confirmation of adhesion, one body through coupling, tie, capacity, role performance, mental comfort, healthy mother, healthy infant, confidence of breast milk, feeling of satisfaction. The sub-categories were again grouped into 14 categories including infant nutritious food, formation of breastfeeding opportunity, feeling of satisfaction, injury of the breast, physical suffering, awareness of mothering, formation of maternal affection, connecting, coupling, acceptance, effort, emotional stability, mother and child health and feeling of achievement.

The purpose of this study was to explore the process of smoking behavior of college women with a history of smoking. The subject were 48 female students selected by theoretical sampling from a women's university in Korea. The data were collected by in-depth interviews using audiotape recordings done over a period of seven months. The data were analyzed simultaneously by a constant comparative method in which new data were continuously coded in to categories and properties according to strauss and corbin's methodology. Analysis of the data resulted in identification of 15 categories representing 34 concepts. The results of this study were as follows : 1. Smoking in college women is caused by either curiosity or antagonism toward male smokers. 2. The meaning(phenomena) of smoking behavior in college women is justifiable or regretable. 3. Smoking occurs in connection with eating, during period of psychological conflict or as an habitual practice. 4. Smoking behavior is related to the perception of harmfulness to health, influence of others and the accessability of cigarettes. 5. College women experienced a change in their state of health, emotional relaxation, change in their social relationships. It is suggested that the results of this study may contribute to the development of strategies for the purpose of decreasing smoking behavior among female college students.

Regular long term dance movement could be one of ways to induce improvement of psychophysiological variables, resulting in improvement of quality of life. However, there have been few studies to evaluate the effect of dance movement training on both physiological and psychological variables in the elderly. This study was focused to determine the effect of Korean traditional dance movement training on psychophysiological variables-body weight, body fat, lean body mass, muscle strength, muscle endurance, flexibility, agility, resting heart rate and blood pressure, depression and life satisfaction-in Korean elderly women. Thirty four subjects, aged between 65 and 75years who have normal cognition, sensory function, cerebellum function, cardiovascular function, participated in this study. Seventeen experimental group subjects were selected from E-elderly university in Kyung Gi province, and Seventeen control group subjects were selected from N -welfare facility in Seoul City. Seventeen experimental group subjects participated for 12weeks dance movement program. Korean traditional dance movement program was developed on the basis of Korean traditional dance and music by the author. The program consisted of approximately 50minutes of dance, 3times a week for 12weeks. During 50minutes workout, there were 15minutes of warm-up dancing, 25minutes of conditioning dance and 10minutes of cool-down dancing. The intensity for the conditioning phase was at between 60% and 65% of age-adjusted maximum heart rates. The body weight, body fat, lean body mass, muscle strength(grip strength, leg strength), muscle endurance, flexibility, agility, resting heart rate and blood pressure, depression and life satisfaction were measured prior to and following the experimental treatment. The participants in dance movement were interviewed focusing on subjective feeling following 12 week's regular dance movement. Data were analyzed with mean, standard deviation, percentage of change, X2-test, t-test, and ANCOVA test using SPSS PC+ program. Subjec tive feeling was categorized into cognitopsy-chological and physiological responses. Results were obtained as follows: 1) The body weight(F=15.52, p=.000), body fat (F=18.33, p=.000) and lean body mass(F=7.28, p=.011) of the experimental group were significantly lower than those Of the control group following the dance movement training. 2) The leg strength (F=30.96, p=.000), muscle endurance (F=9.06, p=.005), agility(F=44.92, 000), flexibility(F=6.84, p=.014) of the experimental group were significantly higher than those of the control group following the dance movement training. There was no significant difference of grip strength (F=. 43, p=.515) between experimental and control groups. 3) The heart rate(F=26.96, p=.000), systolic (F=10.40, p=.000) and diastolic(F=3.99, p= .005) blood pressure at rest of the experimental group were significantly lower than those of the control group following the dance movement training. 4) No significant difference of score of depression (F=3.49, p=.071) was observed between experimental and control groups. 5) Score of life satisfaction of experimental group was remarkably higher than that of control group following 12weeks of dance movement training (p<0.05). 6) Thematic responses about the dance movement following the training were positive. "I feel good" was the most frequent among cognitopsychol-ogical responses and "I feel lightness of body" was the most frequent among physiological responses. The results suggest that Korean traditional dance movement training can improve psychophysiological variables of Korean elderly.

This study was done to develop a Maternal Identity Scale for Pregnant Women and to test the validity and reliability of the scale. A convenience sample of 161 pregnant women were asked to complete the MISP questionnaire which consisted of 45 item, this was done from December 20, 1995 to January 15, 1996. The research procedure were as follows. The first step was to identify a conceptual definition of maternal identity using Rubin(1984)'s maternal identity and maternal experience during pregnancy. The second step was to operationalize the maternal identity, that is, perception of image possible of selves as mother, maternal role play by imagination, and the experiences of various emotional responses which are embedded in the mother-fetus dyad. The third step was item development which resulted in 45 items as appropriate measurement of maternal identity are except for the perception of image possible of selves as mother. The result findings were as follows: 1) Four factors for MISP(finally 40 items) were extracted through the principal component analysis and varimax rotation, and these contributed 49.3% of the variance in the total score. All 40 items in the scale loaded above .43 on one of 4 factors. 2) Each factor was named: factor 1 was named maternal role imagery and has 10 items, factor 2 was named happiness and has 11 items, factor 3 was named maternal fetal interaction and has 10 items, and the last factor 4 was named negative emotion and has 9 items. 3) Cronbach's -alpha coefficient for internal consistsncy was .92 for the total 40 items and .89, . 90, .86, .78 for the four subscales in that order. Recommendations are suggested below: 1) The developed MISP be used to assess maternal readiness in pregnancy. 2) Replication study be done to test validity and relaibility. 3) For the overall measure of Maternal Identity in Pregnancy, scale for the perception of image possible of selves as mother, and cognitive domain be reorganized for the maternal identity in pregnancy. 4) It is necessary to identify variables that influences maternal pregnancy. 5) It is necessary to identify that maternal identity in pregnancy is a reliable index of motherhood, to do correlation studies on maternal identity and major maternal variables in maternal transition period, to reoperationalize the maternal identity in postpartum, and finally to designate a longitudinal study of the maternal identity changes or stabilities.

All human health behavior is deeply rooted one's beliefs or value system usually encompassed within the culture in which they live. The Taegyo, based on Oriental folk medicine, is defined as the behavior and self care of pregnant women administered for herself and her fetus(unborn child). Taegyo is believed to be desirable, effective, and healthy behavior by most of Korean pregnant women. It is essential in our contemporary culture, to ascertain what the components of Taegyo are and to integrate them into current, western nursing care, particularly in the area of prenatal care. 910 Korean women were the subjects of this study, who were in a gestation period of pregnancy between 10 weeks to three months postpartum. The subjects were selected by clustered sampling from 10 representative cities in Korea. Data was collected from February 10 to March 30 1995 by a constructed questionnaire which consisted of 95 items. The questionnaire was developed through three steps such as content analysis, calculation of content validity index, and pretest. Data was analyzed by descriptive statistics and rotated matrix factor analysis with pc-SAS. The mean age of the subjects was 28.9 years; 36.5% of them were employed and the mean income per month was about 2000 dollars. The component of Taegyo was clustered into five factors such as fetus psychological stability(equity), fetus personality development, maternal-fetal interaction, fetus intellectual development and physical health promotion. The variance of each factor were 23.7%, 8.3%, 4. 7%, 4.1%, and 3.3% respectively in that order. The Eigen value of each factor was 13.03, 4.57, 2.60, 2.23, and 1.83 respectively. It was found that the Taegyo is an unique and holistic self care behavior of Korean pregnant women. Therefore it has been concluded that this study has broadened the understandability of the implications the Taegyo. It is suggested that further studies on the effects of the Taegyo are needed to provide a scientific basis for professional maternity nursing.

Health promoting behaviors of an individual are affected by various variables. Recently, there has been a growing concern over important health problems of the middle aged women. Physiological changes in the middle aged women and their responsibility for family care can result in physical and psychological burden experienced by middle aged women. This study was designed to test Pender's model and thus purpose a model that explains health promoting behaviors among middle-aged women in Korea. The hypothetical model was developed based on the Pender's health promoting model and the findings from past studies on women's health. Data were collected by self-reported questionnaires from 863 women living in Seoul, between 20th, April and 15th, July 1995. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and correlation analysis. The Linear Structural Relationship (LISREL) modeling process was used to find the best fit model which assumes causal relationships among variables. The results are as follows; 1. The overall fit of the hypothetical model to the data was good expect chi -square value (GFI=.96, AGFI=.91, RMR=.04). 2. Paths of the model were modified by considering both its theoretical implication and statistical significance of the parameter estimates. Compared to the hypothetical model, the revised model has become parsimonious and had a better fit to the data expect chi-square value (GFI=. 95, AFGI=.92, RMR=.04). 3. Some of modifying factors, especially age, occupation, educational levels and body mass index (BMI) are revealed significant effects on health promoting behaviors. 4. Some of cognitive -perceptual factors, especially internal health locus of control, self-efficacy and perceptive health status are revealed significant effects on health promoting behaviors. 5. All predictive variables of health promoting behaviors, especially age, occupation, educational levels, body mass index(BMI), internal health locus of control, self-efficacy and perceptive health status are explained 20.0% of the total variance in the model.

The effect of circumvaginal muscle (CVM) exercises to improve sexual function in married women has not been investigated by currently acceptable research methods, nor have appropriate instruments and techniques to carry out such investigation been available. The purpose of this research was to study the effect of CVM exercise on sexual function, and of measuring CVM function after CVM exercises. The research tools used were a modified Derogatis Sexual Function Inventory questionnare and a pressure sensitive intravaginal balloon device. This research was conducted in Kwangju-city and Chonnam province, Korea from July, 1994 to July, 1995. The research used a non-equivalent control pre-post test quasi-experimental design. Forty-five healthy married female volunteers, aged 30?8, and were randomly assigned by age using the matching fixed-length blocks to two groups. The experimental group consisted of 21 women who were assigned a 25 -minute per day CVM home exercise program for six weeks. The control group of 24 women did not do the CVM home exercises. The CVM home exercise was developed by Dougherty (1989a) and adopted to Korea by Lee (1993). Data were analyzed by x2-test, Paired t-test, Spearman product-moment correlation using SAS/PC+. The results are summarized as follows: 1. There were no significant differences in the characteristics of the subjects between the exper imental and control groups before the CVM home exercises. 2. Hypothesis 1 that married women who participated in CVM home exercises would have higher mean scores on the sexual function (SF) than in those who did not participate in home exercise was supported. 3. Hypothesis 2 that married women who participated in CVM home exercises would have higher vaginal pressure on SF than in those who did not participate in home exercises was supported (mean maximum pressure, t= -7.338, P<.0001, peak maximum pressure, t=-11.164, P<.0001). 4. Hypothesis 3 that the more often (number of days) and the more frequent (numbers of times per day) that married women do CVM home exercise, the higher their mean scores on SF and vaginal pressures was supported (r =0.233, P<.01; r=0.352, P<.05). A six week CVM home exercise program using a tape recording showed that SF can be improved. Results of this study showed that married women who exercise on a regular basis for six weeks improve their sexual function and increase the mean vaginal pressure and peak maximum pressure (tested by electronic monitor). In conclusion, CVM exercise is effective in increasing SF.

This qualitative nursing research used a hermeneutic phenomenological approach to discover meaning in mid-aged women's experience of mastectomy. The ultimate aim of the inquiry was to discover the essence of mid-aged women's experience and promote understanding. The study was guided by Van Manen's method for doing research. The method of inquiry included: turning to phenomenon of interest; inquiring and investigating experience as it was lived rather than as conceptualized; reflecting and analyzing essential themes which characterize phenomenon; and describing phenomenon through art of writing and rewriting. Multiple strategies for data collecting were needed: in depth face-to-face interview; analysis of women's writings; artistic works; and analysis of examples of phenomenon in art, literature, and drama. Although the experience was different for all of the women interviewd, essential themes of experience emerged; Self-discovering of vicious disease, Divining punishment-unfortunate women, loss of self though the scar, a nightmare, change of life values and attitudes, rediscovering living alone, living through with fearing of death. Findings from artistic and creative inquiry further validated findings and meaning descovered. The study illuminated meaning and simultaneously validated the phenomenological research process. Essential themes for understanding women's experience, implications for education, research, and practice, direction and need for continuing inquiry were identified.

PURPOSE: The object of this study was to explore and describe the experience of women living with lymphedema within a socio-medical context in Korea.
METHODS
Research data was collected through interviews and participant observation with 9 informants between February 2000 and July 2002. Data was examined using Spradley's taxonomy analyzing techniques.
RESULTS
5 themes were identified; 'overwhelming and despair over the ailment condition', 'distrust and abandonment of conventional medicine' 'shaming of losing maternity and femineity', 'returning to the permanent safe shelter', and 'struggling for reconstruction of one's self'. The 'chaotic' state of knowledge and health care system for lymphedmea patient affected the experiences of informants.
CONCLUSIONS
This result will be a basic understanding of psychosocial impact of lymphedema for the women and to develop the comprehensive nursing program including counseling program.

This cross-sectional design was to identify the age at menopause of Korean women using a national sample, and to examine relationships between age at menopause and the anthropometric, sociodemographic, biological and life style behavioral factors. Two thousand eight hundred seven naturally postmenopausal women aged between 41-65 years were recruited by self-selection from 7 metropolitans and 6 provinces in Korea from Dec. 20, 1998 to April 30, 1999. The age at menopause of Korean women was 49.2 years (mean) and 50.0 years (median). The range of age at menopause was 33.0 to 61.0 years. The significant influencing factors on age at menopause were body mass index, mother's and sister's age at menopause, alcohol use, physical activity, coffee preference, and residential area. The menopausal age of Korean women has slightly increased compared to a previous study.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to identify the change and difference and relationship of postpartum depression and physical image. METHOD: The subjects consisted of 86 postpartum women at one general hospital in Seoul. The data was collected from September to November 2001. The instrument used for this study were SRD (Self-Rating Depression Scale) and Norris' Body Image Scale to evaluate depression and body image. The collected data was analyzed with frequency, mean, t-test, paired t-test, ANOVA and Pearson's correlation coefficient. RESULT: The result of this study were as follows: 1.The mean score of D2 was significantly higher than D1(p=.003). There was no difference significantly B1 and B2(p=310). 2. There was significant correlation between the two, D1-D2(r=.381, p<.01), B1-B2(r=.364, p<.01), D1-B1(r=.579, p<.01), D2-B2(r= .567, p<.01). (D1: depression of postpartum 1-3days, D2: depression of postpartum 6-8weeks, B1: body image of postpartum 1-3days, B2: body image of postpartum 6-8weeks) CONCLUSION: There was very high postpartum depression in postpartum women, but body image was positive. Also, there was correlated to postpartum depression and body image. Thus it is necessary to implement nursing intervention focused on to decrease the postpartum depression and to enhance the body image of the postpartum women.

PURPOSE: This study was conducted to identify the pain characteristics, family support and physical functioning and to determine predictors of the quality of life in aged women with chronic pain. METHOD: The questionnaires were collected through direct interview by a trained research assistant from July 2 to August 24, 2001. Subjects were 108 women clients with chronic pain over 65 years of age. Data analyzed frequency, percentage, mean, Pearson's correlation, ANOVA and stepwise multiple regression by SAS. RESULT: Care providers were mostly spouses and daughters in law. Care providers who took care of elderly for a few hours a day had the highest percentile. Aged women had persistently had chronic pain of moderate intensity and was moderately satisfied with pain management. The mean score of disability due to pain was 3 on a 10 point scale. The mean scores of physical function and quality of life were moderate and there were negative correlations between pain characteristics, physical functioning, and quality of life at the range from r=-.46 to r=-.83. Satisfaction with care, duration of pain, disability due to pain, and physical functioning accounted for 56% of the variance in perceived quality of life for aged women with chronic pain. Disability due to pain was the most predictable variable of quality of life and physical function was the second . CONCLUSION: The results suggest that care by family, education in pain control, prevention of disability, and maintenance of physical function are important to improve and maintain quality of life in aged women with chronic pain. Therefore, there is a need for program development that enhance family support and nursing intervention that focuses on active pain control.