Literatures Review in Hwabyung Research

홧병 연구에 관한 고찰

This study examined 19 papers published from 1977 to 2000 based on the objective frame evaluation. This purpose of this study was to examine the trend of Hwabyung research and to serve as a guide for the future 'Hwabyung' study. The results of studies were as follow. In the design of research, clinical studies are definitely dominant. As for the fields of research, the concept of Hwabyung was studied more frequently than the others. As for the authorship. psychiatrists prevailed but nursing professionals are on the increase. Research subject in clinical and survey study, patient was definitely dominant and the place of study was almost always a hospital (75%), data collection was higher on interview (58.3%). Hwabyung was considered unique culture bounded syndrome related to Korean culture. Frequent etiologic factor of Hwabyung were a husband's extra-marital affair, conflicts between houses wives and mothers-in-laws, and financial loss and suffering. From the incidence of Hwabyung, a greater number of patients with Hwabyung were middle aged women in the low economic and educational classes, and these were connected with the culture and the family system. The symptoms of Hwabyung included psychological and physical symptom, neurological disorder and disease behavior. Defense mechanisms and coping strategies for Hwabyung were somatization, suppression, orality, withdrawal, isolation, regression, help-seeking, complaining, and wreaking anger. Treatment of Hwabyung were medication, effort by herself, communication with families, consultation with psychologist, acupuncture, negative therapy, moxa, and Qi-kong. Psychiatric therapy, behavior therapy, nursing intervention on multi-interdisciplinary approach and psychiatric nursing approach were recommended for the nursing care of a Hwabyung patient.