Young Joo Park

A Survey of Hwa-Byungin Middle-Age Korean Women:

Hwa-Byung (HB) has been categorized as a Korean culture-bound syndrome that refers to insidious, long-standing, serious discontent that is projected into the body and is manifested by numerous symptoms such as insomnia, fatigue, panic, palpitations, dyspnea, and others. This study was designed to investigate the prevalence rate of HB in Korean women, validate the predominant symptoms of HB, and validate the related sociodemographic factors and lifestyle factors that differentiate women with HB from those without HB. A total of 2,807 women ages 41 to 65 years were recruited from seven metropolitan areas and six provinces in Korea. The prevalence rate of women who designated themselves as having experienced HB was 4.95%. The rates were higher in women of low socioeconomic status, living in rural areas, among the divorced or separated, smokers, and drinkers. A set of 31 HB symptoms differentiated the potential HB women from the non-HB women.

Anger, Anger Expression, and Suicidal Ideation in Korean Adolescents

This study described the levels of anger, anger expression, and suicidal ideation in Korean adolescents. Data from 18,752 adolescents were collected using a self-report questionnaire. Anger, anger expression, and suicidal ideation exhibited significant differences according to school level and gender. The group with higher anger and anger expression showed a higher average suicidal ideation score than that of the group with lower anger and anger expression, suggesting that school-based programs which alleviate anger may be needed to decrease suicidal ideation among Korean adolescents.

Suicidal ideation in adolescents: an explanatory model using LISREL.

Suicidal ideation has been reported to be a major factor in attempted and completed suicides. The purpose of this study is to test a structural model to explain adolescent suicidal ideation. Specifically tested is the relationship between the predictor variables of trait anger, anger suppression, entrapment, psychosomatic symptoms, depression, and resilience and the dependent variable of suicidal ideation. Data are collected from a convenience sample of 11,393 students from 36 middle schools and 23 high schools in Korea. Trait anger, entrapment, psychosomatic symptoms, depression, and resilience have a direct effect on suicidal ideation whereas anger suppression shows a significant indirect effect on adolescent suicidal ideation. The predictor variables account for 39% of the variance in suicidal ideation. The study findings suggest that future programs for prevention or alleviation of adolescents’ suicidal ideation need to use interventions that facilitate their resilience and reduce their anger, entrapment feeling, psychosomatic symptoms, and depression.

Structural model for quality of life of patients with chronic cardiovascular disease in Korea.

BackgroundHealth promotion among those with chronic illness has been proposed as a strategy to contain health care cost and enhance quality of life (QOL), but little research has been done in Korea on QOL focused on health promotion of patients with chronic cardiovascular disease (CCVD). ObjectivesThis study was designed to estimate a structural model to represent the QOL of patients with CCVD, on the basis of a literature review and Penders health promotion model (HPM). MethodsData were collected by questionnaire from 436 patients with CCVD in a university hospital in Seoul from August 2001 to July 2002. Data analysis included descriptive statistics and covariance structural analysis. ResultsAs the fit of the hypothetical model to the data was only moderate, it was modified by excluding 10 paths and including free parameters. The modified model with path showed a good fit to the empirical data (χ2 = 508.12, p = .001, GFI = .95, AGFI = .93, NFI = .98, NNFI = .98, RMSEA = .04). Health-promoting behavior (HPB) and self-efficacy were found to have a significant direct effect on QOL. Health perception, self-esteem, perceived barriers to action, and preference were found to have indirect effects on QOL. The variables of this model explain 63% of the variance in QOL. DiscussionThe modified model is considered appropriate to explain and predict QOL of patients with CCVD. Therefore, it can effectively be used as a reference model for further studies and to suggest directions in nursing practice.

Bone Mineral Density, Biochemical Bone Turnover Markers and Factors associated with Bone Health in Young Korean Women

PURPOSE This study was done to assess the bone mineral density (BMD), biochemical bone turnover markers (BTMs), and factors associated with bone health in young Korean women. METHODS Participants were 1,298 women, ages 18-29, recruited in Korea. Measurements were BMD by calcaneus quantitative ultrasound, BTMs for Calcium, Phosphorus, Osteocalcin, and C-telopeptide cross-links (CTX), body composition by physical measurements, nutrients by food frequency questionnaire and psychosocial factors associated with bone health by self-report. RESULTS The mean BMD (Z-score) was -0.94. 8.7% women had lower BMD (Z-score≤-2) and 14.3% women had higher BMD (Z-score≥0) than women of same age. BTMs were not significantly different between high-BMD (Z-score≥0) and low-BMD (Z-score<0) women. However, Osteocalcin and CTX were higher in women preferring caffeine intake, sedentary lifestyle and alcoholic drinks. Body composition and Calcium intake were significantly higher in high-BMD. Low-BMD women reported significantly higher susceptibility and barriers to exercise in health beliefs, lower bone health self-efficacy and promoting behaviors. CONCLUSION Results of this study indicate that bone health of young Korean women is not good. Development of diverse strategies to intervene in factors such as exercise, nutrients, self-efficacy, health beliefs and behaviors, shown to be important, are needed to improve bone health.

Effects of a Breast Feeding Promotion Program for Working Women

PURPOSE The purpose of this study was to measure the effects of a breast feeding promotion program for working women on breast feeding continuation, mother-infant attachment, and maternal sensitivity. METHODS The design of this study is nonequivalent control group design with repeated measures. RESULTS There were significant differences in breast feeding continuation between two groups at each time point except 2 days and 1 week after delivery. The scores of mother-infant attachment and maternal sensitivity of experimental group were higher than those of the control group, but there were no significant differences between two groups. CONCLUSION Although some modifications in contents and administration will be required to increase the effectiveness of the program, breast feeding promotion program for working women can be an effective nursing intervention which can facilitate breast feeding continuation and mother-infant relationships.

Development and Evaluation of a School-based Anger Management Program (SAMP) for Adolescents

PURPOSE This study was done to develop a school-based anger management program (SAMP) of 4 sessions and examine its effects on the anger, anger expression, psychosomatic responses, psychosocial responses, and immunologic responses in adolescents. METHODS A quasi-experimental study using a nonequivalent control group, pre-post design with repeated measures was used. Chi-square test, t-test, paired t-test, and Fishers exact test were used to analyze the data. RESULTS There were no differences between the experimental and control groups in outcome variables except for lymphocytes. However, following additional analyses, statistically significant differences by time point were observed for pain sensitivity, T cell, Helper T (Th) cell, Suppressor (Ts) cell and Natural Killer (NK) cell post-treatment, entrapment and psychosomatic symptoms at the 4-week follow-up, and resilience at the 10-week follow-up for the experimental group. CONCLUSION Although some modifications in contents and administration will be required to increase the effectiveness of the program for anger management, SAMP can be used to promote anger management ability in adolescents.

Comparison of Cardiovascular Health Status and Health Behaviors in Korean Women based on Household Income

PURPOSE In this study cardiovascular health status and health behavior of Korean women based on their household income were explored. METHODS For this cross-sectional study, 91 women residing in the community were recruited to complete survey questionnaires and biophysical tests including blood pressure (BP), body mass index (BMI), body fat rate, waist circumference (WC), and blood chemistry tests. RESULTS Compared to non-low income women (NLIW), low income women (LIW) were more likely to be older, less educated, and jobless, and further more LIW were postmenopause and reported having been diagnosed with hypertension or hypercholesterolemia. Significant differences were found in systolic BP, triglyceride level, BMI, body fat rate, and WC between the groups. Two fifths of the LIW had indications for metabolic syndrome. Their 10-yr risk estimate of myocardial infarction or coronary death demonstrated a higher probability than that of NLIW. Although these significant differences were due to age gap between the groups, advanced age is known to be one of the key characteristics of LIW as well as a non-modifiable risk factor. CONCLUSION Effective community programs for vulnerable women at risk of cardiovascular disease should be based on strategies targeting unhealthy behaviors and modifiable risk factors.

Health-Related Quality of Life During the Menopausal Transition: Testing a Theoretical Model

The purpose of this study was to test the hypothetical model of health-related quality of life (HRQOL) during the menopausal transition. The model was developed to test specific components of the Wilson and Cleary’s model for HRQOL. A cross-sectional, correlational study was carried out using self-report questionnaires on a convenience sample of 162 Korean women in the menopausal transition. The model was tested by a path analysis using Analysis of Moment Structure (AMOS) program. The path analysis showed that 5 affecting variables explained 69% of the variance in HRQOL during the menopausal transition. Based on the results, the Wilson and Cleary’s model may be useful in explaining HRQOL during the menopausal transition. Symptoms, functional status, and health perceptions mediated the effect of individual and environmental characteristics on HRQOL. However, the results suggest that some paths need to be added or modified in the model. To date, most research using Wilson and Cleary’s model has been conducted in the United States, Africa, and Europe (e.g., Austria, Norway, and Spain). This study shows the applicability of the model in Asian people.

Anger, anger expression, cardiovascular risk factors, and gastrointestinal symptoms by hwa-byung symptoms in Korean adult women

PURPOSE This study explored relationships of anger and anger expression to cardiovascular (CV) risk factors and gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms in Korean women based on hwa-byung (HB) symptoms. METHODS A descriptive, comparative design was used. One-hundred four women who are from 20 to 65years old were recruited. Based on the HB score, 22 women indicated for HB and the rest were classified as normal. Data collection was done with several questionnaires including HB symptom scale, state-trait anger expression inventory, and GI symptom questionnaire and clinical information. RESULTS Women with HB demonstrated significantly higher levels of trait anger and dysfunctional anger expression such as anger suppression and anger expression than normal group. Although blood pressure was higher in women with HB, the differences were not significant. Self-report of GI symptoms were significantly more in women with HB, however no significant difference was found in gastroscopy results. CONCLUSIONS Women with HB were younger and might lack of sufficient social support. This study suggests relationship of anger and anger expression to functional GI symptoms. Characteristics of women with HB should be considered in developing intervention programs for healthy coping. Future studies need more women with HB for better comparison.