A Study of Stress of Middle-aged Women with a Senior in High School

중년기 여성의 고등학교 3학년 자녀로 인한 스트레스에 관한 연구

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate the stress caused by having a senior in high school preparing for the college entrance examination, and coping methods of middle aged women in order to have a high quality of life. Method: The subjects of this study were 410 middle aged women. The data were collected by a structured questionnaire during September 5 to October 26, 2005. Result: The respondents' scores of stress were relatively low. The scores of stress perception related to 'studies record inactivity', 'a bad feeling because their sons and daughters are lazy', and worries about fatigue and health of their sons and daughters' were relatively high. The scores of the coping method related to 'affirmative thought and conduct', and 'sincerity it in the senior in high school student' were relatively high. In subjects with a higher degree(score$\geq$3) of stress caused by the senior student in high school the scores of coping methods related to 'projection', 'evasion', and 'perseverance' were relatively higher than the scores of coping methods of subjects with a lower degree (score<3) of stress. Conclusion: Based on the findings of this study, we should develop an integrated support program for middle-aged women. A place must be made where mothers will be able to discuss the education of their children such as on-line group community by mothers.