• Korean Journal of Adult Nursing
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.52-63
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• 2012

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to measure the quality of life (QOL) and to identify the factors influencing QOL in gynecological cancer patients. Methods: The subjects of this study were 242 people who were receiving medical therapy or follow-up after surgery from one general hospital in Daegu. Data were collected from August 1, 2010 to January 31, 2011. A questionnaire including questions on QOL, distress score, distress problem, depression, anxiety, insomnia, perceived health status and body image were completed by the subjects. Results: The mean score of QOL was $70.68{\pm}13.40$. Religion, job, presence of spouse, level of education, household income, financial compensation, disease stage and recurrence were the significant factors related to QOL. Distress score, distress problem, depression, anxiety, insomnia, perceived health status and body image were also significant factors influencing QOL. Sixty eight percent of the variance in subjective overall QOL can be explained by body image, distress problem, distress score, anxiety, level of education and perceived health status (Cum $R^2$=0.689, F=76.316, $p$ <.001). Body image was the most important factor related to QOL. Conclusion: An integrative care program which includes general, disease-related and psychosocial characteristics of patients is essential to improve QOL in gynecological cancer patients.

• Korean Journal of Adult Nursing
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.199-211
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• 2009

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to develop a program for anger management based on self-efficacy. Methods: In this study, four types of approaches to enhance anger control were developed; 1) a role play for vicarious experiences; 2) an assertive training for anger expression; 3) a 30-minute long education program & a 20-minute long telephone call coaching for verbal persuasion; and 4) a booklet for anger management and self care behaviors. One group pretest-posttest design was used for evaluating the program. Study subjects were 6 cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy. The group were received a 4-week intervention, 60 ~ 90 minutes a day weekly, and measured the variables at baseline, 4 weeks later. Anger-in, anger-out, and anger-control were measured by STAXI-K. Data was analysed by Wilcoxon using SPSS/WIN 12.0 program. Anger situation was analysed according to primary anger-thoughts and secondary anger-thoughts based on cognitive theories of anger. Results: The program for anger management consisted of a role play, assertive training, education, telephone call coaching and a booklet. The program revealed significantly less Anger-in (Z = -1.997, p = .046), anger-out (Z = -2.207, p = .027). No difference, however, was found in anger control (Z= -1.826, p=.068). Conclusion: This evaluation suggested that more assertive training and longer intervention may be needed to maximize anger control.

• Korean Journal of Adult Nursing
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• v.25 no.3
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• pp.312-321
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• 2013

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to compare health promotion behavior, post-traumatic growth and quality of life according to the stages of survivorship in patients with female genital neoplasm. Methods: Data were collected from August 1st, 2011 to September 31st 2011 from 142 gynecologic cancer patients who completed treatment or were treated at an out-patient clinic. The instrument were HPLP developed by Walker, Sechrist & Pender, PTGI developed by Tedeschi & Calhoun, and Korean C-QOL. Results: Health promotion behavior scores were significantly higher in the acute survival stage than the extended survival stage. Post-traumatic growth score was higher in the acute survival stage than the extended survival stage. The quality of life scores were higher in the lasting survival stage than the extended survival stage. Conclusion: Gynecological cancer patients in the extended survival stage reported low scores of health promotion behavior, post-traumatic growth and quality of life. Intervention needed to be developed to improve health promotion behavior, post-traumatic growth and quality of life for patients with female genital neoplasm in the extended survival stage.

• Korean Journal of Adult Nursing
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• v.23 no.5
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• pp.434-445
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• 2011

Purpose: This study was conducted to identify the impact of the symptom cluster of pain, fatigue, sleep disturbance, depression on the quality of life (QOL) among breast cancer patients receiving chemotherapy. Methods: One hundred and thirteen patients were recruited from five hospitals in Korea. The instruments used in this study were the fatigue, depression, sleep disturbance, pain and the quality of life scale for patients with breast cancer. The influence of the symptom cluster on patients' QOL was analyzed by using multiple regression. Results: Most patients reported a moderate level of pain, fatigue, sleep disturbance and depression. Eighty percent of patients reported three of the four symptoms. Among the four symptoms, there was no correlation between pain and sleep disturbance. Quality of life was negative correlated with the four symptoms in the cluster. Symptom cluster of pain, fatigue, and depression accounted for 51.2% of variance in QOL. Conclusion: The findings supported that there is a symptom cluster that negatively influences quality of life and needs to be addressed as we are caring for patients and are promoting quality of life.

• Korean Journal of Adult Nursing
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• v.28 no.1
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• pp.1-12
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• 2016

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to test a Winningham's psychobiologic entropy model (PEM) on cancer related fatigue (CRF) among patients with solid tumors. Methods: Participants consisted of 213 patients with solid tumors recruited from December, 2012 through June, 2013, in a university hospital, in Hwasun, South Korea. Primary symptoms, adjustment, physical activity, status of nutrition and fatigue were measured using structured questionnaires. Collected data were analyzed using SPSS 21.0 and AMOS 21.0 programs. Results: The modified model tested provided a reasonable fit to the data ($x^2=65.80$ [df=30, p<.001], TLI=.92, CFI=.95, RMSEA=.08, SRMR=.07). Primary symptoms (dyspnea, anxiety, depression and insomnia) had direct positive effects on CRF. Adjustment and status of nutrition showed indirect negative effects on CRF. However, the impact of physical activity was not significant. These variables explained 49.2% of the variance of CRF among solid tumor patients. Conclusion: The findings demonstrate that the tested model explain some CRF among solid tumor patients and warrant future research considering the cancer-related clinical factors of the given population.

• Korean Journal of Adult Nursing
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• v.28 no.2
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• pp.148-155
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• 2016

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to compare symptom severity and the impact of presence of depressive and/or anxiety symptoms among patients with head and neck cancer (HNC). Methods: One hundred and fifteen patients diagnosed with HNC completed two questionnaires: Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) and the M. D. Anderson Symptom Inventory-Head and Neck Cancer (MDASI-HN). Results: Of the total sample, 55.6% reported depressive symptoms and 33% reported anxiety symptoms. Patients who reported either depressive or anxiety symptoms also had significantly more severe symptoms. The most severe symptom was dry mouth. Participants who were depressed reported that interference in the enjoyment of life due to symptoms was the most distressing whereas participants with anxiety reported symptom interference in work was of most concern. Of patients reporting moderate to severe symptoms, more than 60% reported depressive symptoms. Of patients reporting moderate to severe feelings of being distress and feeling sad, more than 70% reported anxiety symptoms. Conclusion: Patients with HNC reporting moderate to severe symptoms also report depressive and/or anxiety symptoms. The results suggest the need to develop an integrated nursing intervention of both physical and emotional symptoms for patients with HNC.

• Asian Oncology Nursing
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• v.6 no.1
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• pp.66-75
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• 2006

Purpose: The present study was to identify the levels of stress and coping and their relationship in mothers of children with cancer. Methods: A total of 124 mothers were recruited from a university hospital from June 1, to August 31, 2004. Parental Stress Scale developed by Miles and Carter (1983), and the Coping Behavior Patterns developed by McCubbin (1979) were used. Data were analyzed using SAS PC+ 8.0 program. Results: The mean score for the stress level in the mothers of the children with cancer was 195.6 from the range of 0-250. The mean score for the level of coping stress by the mothers of children with cancer was 121.8 from the range of 0-165. The level of coping stress was particularly high when the relationship with their husband was good, and when they felt hope for the children's health status. Conclusions: The most stressful element to the mothers of the children with cancer was the 'treatment and the nursing process for the children.' The frequently used coping methods were 'communication with other parents in the same situation' and 'consultation with the expert.'

• Asian Oncology Nursing
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• v.3 no.1
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• pp.45-55
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• 2003

Self-help group program is an elective procedure intended to improve the quality of life of women undergoing mastectomy. The purpose of this study is explore effects of the self-help group program for QOL after mastectomy. 40 Women who had undergone mastectomies between stagel to 3 were recruited. Subjects of experimental group attended the self-help group for 4 weeks. Data were collected by self-reporting questionnaire. QOL was assessed using the Quality of Life Scale(QLS) translated by Kwon(1990). As a results, no significant differences were found between experimental and control group in changes of QOL. But, experimental group increased QOL score. In conclusions, when the self-help group program is provided to the patients with breast cancer, it can be helpful for promoting QOL and emotional support, even no statistical difference. For the further study, repeated researched with appropriate duration of intervention is suggested. Significant anxiety about their disease and fear of recurrence will be persisted despite intervention.

• Asian Oncology Nursing
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• v.12 no.3
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• pp.221-229
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• 2012

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to identify correlates influencing cognitive impairment in breast cancer patients receiving chemotherapy. Methods: Study subjects consisted of 102 breast cancer patients who received chemotherapy. Subjects were the members of a breast cancer self-help group. Data were collected using structured self-reporting questionnaires including scales of cognitive impairment, physical status, fatigue, quality of life, emotional status, sleeping, family support, and menopausal symptoms. Statistical Package for Social Sciences was used for statistical analyses. Results: Breast cancer patients receiving chemotherapy appeared to show a high level of cognitive impairment. Among demographic characteristics, the effects of economic status and family type on cognitive impairment were found to be statistically significant. Among disease related characteristics, the effect of duration of chemotherapy on cognitive impairment was statistically significant. Menopausal symptoms were positively associated with cognitive impairment. The model including postmenopausal symptoms and caregiver type explained about 66% of variability in cognitive impairment. Conclusion: These findings highlight the importance of contextual factors in understanding cognitive impairment in breast cancer patients receiving chemotherapy and can be used to develop appropriate, effective nursing interventions.

• Asian Oncology Nursing
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• v.11 no.3
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• pp.200-209
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• 2011

Purpose: The purpose of this micro-ethnography is to examine whether science and societal changes impact family communication patterns among a convenience sample of 16 Korean women. Methods: The authors observed family communication in the context of a new breast cancer genetic screening and diagnostic testing program to detect BRCA gene mutations in Korean women at highest risk. Results: Analysis of in-depth interviews and field notes taken during participant observation illustrated that communication patterns in families vary according to a woman's position in the family. If a grandmother tests positive for a gene mutation, her daughters make decisions on her behalf; they open and maintain the communication channel among family members. If a housewife is diagnosed with cancer and a genetic mutation, she immediately consults her husband and her sisters. The husband creates an open communication channel between his wife, his parents and his siblings. As a result, a woman's cancer is a concern for the whole family not merely a woman's secret or crisis. Conclusion: Cultural differences are important to consider when designing new genetic service programs in different countries.