Sung Hee Shin

Development of a Structural Equation Model for Children's Adaptation in Divorced Families

PURPOSE This study was designed to develop and test a structural model for childrens adaptation in divorced families. The hypothetical model was constructed based on the Family Resilience Model by McCubbin and McCubbin. METHODS Data were collected using self-report questionnaires from 219 children (3-6th grade) in divorced families. The children attended one of 22 community agencies, 8 after-school programs, 3 elementary schools in three cities in South Korea. The collected data were analyzed using LISREL program to test the hypothetical model. RESULTS The modified model was constructed by deleting four paths in accordance with the statistical and theoretical criteria. Compared to the hypothetical model, the revised one had a better fit to the data. Self-esteem, and beliefs about parental divorce had direct effects, and family communication and internal control had indirect effects on childrens adaptation in divorced families. These variables explained 56% of the variance in childrens adaptation. CONCLUSION The modified model was supported by empirical data. This model could be applied to family nursing interventions with divorced families or any other suffering family transition. When working with children experiencing parental divorce, it is important for nurses to enhance childrens self-esteem, family communication and to decrease childrens negative beliefs about parental divorce to help in their adaptation.

Actor and Partner Effects of Health Status, Marital Satisfaction and Self Efficacy on Retirement Preparation of Middle Aged Couples: Actor-Partner Interdependence Model Analysis

PURPOSE This study aimed to identify the actor and partner effects of health status, marital satisfaction, and self efficacy on retirement preparation in middle aged couples using the Actor-Partner Interdependence Model. METHODS Participants were 121 middle aged couples living in Seoul, Gyeonggi-do and Daegu City, Korea. All measures were self-administered. The collected data were analyzed using SPSS 20.0 and AMOS 20.0. RESULTS 1) Wifes self efficacy and marital satisfaction showed direct actor and partner effects on retirement preparation in middle aged couples. Wifes health status showed an indirect actor effect through wifes self efficacy and marital satisfaction on wifes retirement preparation, and showed an indirect partner effect through husbands self efficacy on husbands retirement preparation. 2) Husbands self efficacy and marital satisfaction showed only direct actor effect on retirement preparation. Health status among the husbands showed an indirect actor effect on husbands retirement preparation through their self efficacy and marital satisfaction, and an indirect partner effect through wifes marital satisfaction on wifes retirement preparation. 3) The actor effect size of health status on self efficacy and marital satisfaction was larger among husbands than wifes. Additionally, the partner effect size of health status on self efficacy and marital satisfaction was different between the two groups; however, the actor and partner effect size of self efficacy and marital satisfaction on retirement preparation was the same for husband and wife. CONCLUSION The results of this study indicate that nursing intervention strategies for improving self efficacy and marital satisfaction are strongly needed to enhance retirement preparation of middle aged couples in Korean community.

Effects of a Facial Muscle Exercise Program including Facial Massage for Patients with Facial Palsy

PURPOSE The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of a facial muscle exercise program including facial massage on the facial muscle function, subjective symptoms related to paralysis and depression in patients with facial palsy. METHODS This study was a quasi-experimental research with a non-equivalent control group non-synchronized design. Participants were 70 patients with facial palsy (experimental group 35, control group 35). For the experimental group, the facial muscular exercise program including facial massage was performed 20 minutes a day, 3 times a week for two weeks. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, χ²-test, Fishers exact test and independent sample t-test with the SPSS 18.0 program. RESULTS Facial muscular function of the experimental group improved significantly compared to the control group. There was no significant difference in symptoms related to paralysis between the experimental group and control group. The level of depression in the experimental group was significantly lower than the control group. CONCLUSION Results suggest that a facial muscle exercise program including facial massage is an effective nursing intervention to improve facial muscle function and decrease depression in patients with facial palsy.