• Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing
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• v.29 no.1
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• pp.161-173
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• 1999

The purpose of this study was to develope and test the structural model for quality of life in women having hysterectomies. A hypothetical model was constructed on the basis of previous studies and a review of literature. The conceptual framework was built around eight constructs. Exogenous variables included in this model were marital intimacy, importance of uterus, professional support, positive coping behavior and pre-operative symptoms. Endogenous variables were spouse's support, sense of loss and quality of life. Empirical data for testing the hypothetical model was collected using a self-report questionnare from 203 women having hysterectomies at the outpatient clinics of four general hospitals and a mail survey in Pusan City. The Data was collected from December, 1997 to January, 1998. Reliability of the eight instruments was tested with Cronbach's alpha which ranged from 0.639-0.915. For the data analysis, SPSS 7.5 WIN Program and LISREL 8.12 WIN Program were used for descriptive statistics and covariance structural analysis. The results of covariance structure analysis were as follows : 1. Hypothetical model showed a good fit with the empirical data. ［$\chi$$^2$＝6.93(df＝5, P＝.23), GFI＝.99, AGFI＝.94, RMSR＝.019, NNFI＝.97, NFI＝.98, CN＝440, standardized residuals(-2.14-2.10)］ 2. For the parsimony of model, a modified model was constructed by deleting 3 paths and adding 1 path according to the criteria of statistical significance and meaning. 3. The modified model also showed a good fit with the data. ［$\chi$$^2$＝5.26(df＝7, P＝.63), GFI＝.99, AGFI＝.97, RMSR＝.014, NNFI＝1.02, NFI＝.99, CN＝710, standardized residuals(-1.46-1.70)］ Results of the testing of the hypothesis were as follows : 1. Marital intimacy(${\gamma}$11＝.78, t＝14.37) and professional support(${\gamma}$13＝.12, t＝2.12) had a significant direct effect on the spouse's support. 2. Pre-operative symptoms(${\gamma}$25＝.32, t＝3.12), importance of uterus(${\gamma}$22＝.20, t＝2.61) and spouse's support($\beta$2l＝-.19, t＝-2.43) had a significant direct effect on the sense of loss. 3. Sense of loss($\beta$32＝-.66, t＝-9.83) had a direct effect on the quality of life. Marital intimacy had a direct(${\gamma}$31＝.19, t＝3.33), indirect(${\gamma}$31＝.14, t＝2.52) and total effect(${\gamma}$31＝.25, t＝4.41) on the quality of life. Professional support had a direct effect(${\gamma}$33＝.11, t＝2.07) and total effect(${\gamma}$33＝.13, t＝2.31) on the quality of life. The direct effect of pre-operative symptoms(${\gamma}$35＝-.36, t＝4.02) and positive coping behavior(${\gamma}$34＝.15, t＝2.06) had the insignificant effect on the quality of life while, due to the idirect effect these variables had overall significant effect on the quality of life. The results of this study showed that the sense of loss had the most significant direct effect on the quality of life. Marital intimacy, pre -operative symptoms and spouse's support had a significant direct effect on this sense of loss. These four variables, the sense of loss, marital intimacy, pre-operative symptoms and spouse's support, were identified as relatively important variables. The results of this study suggested that there is needed to determine if nursing intervention would alleviate this sense of loss and promote a greater quality of life in women who have had hysterectomies.

• Human Ecology Research
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• v.61 no.2
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• pp.219-231
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• 2023

This study examined attitudes toward factors underpinning a successful marriage and their associations with marital satisfaction among married men and women in midlife. The sample comprised 201 married men and women aged between 40 and 59 living in Seoul, South Korea, and the data were collected by a self-report survey in 2019. Attitudes toward factors underpinning a successful marriage were measured using 12 items from the European Values Study Master Questionnaire 2008 and marital satisfaction was measured using three items from the Kansas Marital Satisfaction Scale. Exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis were performed in order to identify the factors deemed important for a successful marriage, as well as a t-test to explore gendered domains. Additionally, regression analysis was conducted to examine the association between attitudes toward factors underpinning a successful marriage and marital satisfaction. The results revealed two factors that were deemed important for a successful marriage: 'marital exchange based on conditions' and 'qualitative interaction based on sharing.' Women were more likely to believe that both factors were important for a successful marriage than men. The regression analysis revealed that 'qualitative interaction based on sharing' had a positive association with marital satisfaction, while 'marital exchange based on conditions' had a negative association with marital satisfaction, and also that these associations did not differ by gender. The findings imply that a successful marriage can be achieved when married partners make efforts to maintain their relationships through positive interactions and share intimacy in midlife.

• The Journal of the Korea Contents Association
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• v.22 no.7
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• pp.253-263
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• 2022

This study examined the relationships between socio-demographic background variables, parent-child differentiation, marital stability, and psychological well-being in 382 eco-boomer married women (born in 1979-1992) whose mothers were born in 1955-1963. As a result, the higher the average monthly contact frequency with the mother, the greater the intimacy (connectivity) with the mother. The higher the number of years of marriage, the lower the marriage stability, the higher the education level, and the higher the average household income were related to the higher the self-acceptance. In addition, compared to women in single-income families, married women who receive help raising their children from their mothers did not form reliable relationships with others or show satisfaction compared to women who do not receive the assistance. Those who were well connected with their mother (or had high intimacy) had higher marriage stability, and those with higher marriage stability had higher psychological well-being. They also had better relationships with other people when married women had a higher level of parent-child differentiation.

• Journal of Families and Better Life
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• v.31 no.1
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• pp.129-147
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• 2013

The primary focus of the study assesses how individual spouses' and their partners' marital adjustment influence their own and their mental health. The study also examines whether this influence was mediated by the relationship with their adult-children. Data were collected from 271 dyads of elderly couples by using a self-report questionnaire. Marital adjustment was measured in terms of intimacy and comparison level of marriage. Mental health was measured in terms of depressive mood, anxiety, and somatization. The Actor-Partner Interdependence Model (APIM) analysis revealed that marital adjustment was positively associated with one's own mental health and with one's own relationship with their adult-children, but not with their partner's. On the other hand, the relationship with adult-children was positively associated with one's own and with their partner's mental health. Furthermore, analysis of the mediating model using APIM indicated that marital adjustment through one's own adult-children relationship had direct and indirect effects on one's own mental health. It is interesting to note that the wives' mental health were directly influenced by their partners' relationship with adult-children. However, the effect of the husbands' mental health was not significant. These findings highlight dyadic interdependence among spouses' perceptions of marital and adult-children relationship with their mental health. The results suggest implications for educators and clinicians working with elderly couples to improve their psychological and relational health.

• Korean Journal of Community Nutrition
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• v.17 no.3
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• pp.290-301
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• 2012

This survey of 836 midlife women ($51.0{\pm}4.0$ yrs) was undertaken by exclusively a face to face interview by well-trained interviewers guarantying data collection of higher quality. This survey data was analyzed using the SPSS program. The main purpose of this study was to describe the factors affecting self-rated health status, including dietary habits and physical mental social factors. In the self-rated health status of a 'good' group, age was lower (p < 0.05), monthly income was higher (p < 0.01), dietary habits score (p < 0.001) and appetite (p < 0.001) and the degree of movement (p < 0.001) and life satisfaction (p < 0.001), marital intimacy (p < 0.001) and relationship satisfaction with their children (p < 0.001) were significantly higher than the 'bad' group. The level of depression (p < 0.001) and severe feeling of menopausal symptoms (p < 0.001) were significantly higher in the 'poor' group. The results of correlation analysis demonstrated that educational level (r = 0.069, p < 0.05), income (r = 0.157, p < 0.001), eating habits (r = 0.235, p < 0.001), appetite (r = 0.263, p < 0.001), life satisfaction (r = 0.197, p < 0.001), marital intimacy (r = 0.167, p < 0.001), child relationship satisfaction (r = 0.149, p < 0.001), positive attitude toward menopause (r = 0.070, p < 0.05) showed a positive correlation, but depression (r = -0.122, p < 0.001) and menopausal symptoms (r = -0.292, p < 0.001) showed a negative association with self-rated health status. The predictable factors affecting the self-rated health status of middle-aged women were examined by multiple regression analysis. The 'menopausal symptoms - physical discomfort' was the most important variables followed by the 'appetite', 'eating habits', 'menopause symptoms - sensory problems', 'BMI', 'positive attitude toward menopause' and 'high marital intimacy'. These results showed that the 'appetite' and 'eating habits' are important factors affecting the self-rated health status. Therefore, a program of dietary education must be considered for the effective health education and counseling of middle-aged women.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.423-431
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• 2020

This study was undertaken to identify factors influencing care burden among spouses of young women afflicted with breast cancer. Totally, 130 spouses of young women with breast cancer, who were hospitalized or visited one of the three general hospitals in B city, were enrolled for the study. Data was collected between January 3 to March 31, 2016. The mean, t-test, ANOVA, Pearson's correlation coefficients and stepwise multiple regression were analyzed by applying the SPSS/WIN 18.0 program. Social support had the greatest impact on care burden (β=-0.41, p<0.001), followed by marital intimacy (β=-0.26, p=0.001), age (β=­0.18, p=0.009) and perceived economic status (β=-0.14, p=0.039). The explanatory power was determined to be 42% (F=24.41, p<0.001). Our findings indicate the necessity to develop social support programs that help reduce the care burden of spouses of young women afflicted with breast cancer. Moreover, there is a need to develop differentiated programs by considering marital intimacy, age and perceived economic status.

• Journal of the Korean Home Economics Association
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• v.40 no.11
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• pp.39-54
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• 2002

The goal of this study is to develop a program which can improve couples' communication skills that serve to enhance their relationships and to evaluate the effectiveness of the program. The summary of major result of the research were as follows; 1 The content of communication program for couples in the early marriage focused on improvement of communication skills, on enhancement of couples' intimacy and on coping ability for marriage life. 2. The developed program served to communication improvement for couples in the early marriage. Analyzing specifically the results of test before and after, the average scores of sub-areas such as listening, speaking and solving problems were all increased after the program than before the program. Significant differences of sub-areas appeared, either. 3. The developed program contributed to enhancement of couples' mutual understanding and their relationships.

• Journal of the Korean Home Economics Association
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• v.34 no.4
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• pp.373-391
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• 1996

The purpose of this study is to develope Premarital Relationship Enrichment Program (PREP). This Program was based on survey (416 data used) for the need of PREP. The results was as followings : 1. The object wanted that the curriclumn were included marital values, love and intimacy, communication skill, understanding of personality, good relationship of both parents, adaptation of both families, healthy self-image, sex knowlege, constructive conflict-solving, financial management skill, reasonable decision-making, family planning, marital roles, concrete marriage readiness. 2. They surgested that variety of methods and proposals. 3. So, this program were designed that (1) Belongness and autonomy (2) Marriage and value (3) Sex knowledge (4) Communication skill (5) Sex role and our future

• Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing
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• v.49 no.2
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• pp.137-148
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• 2019

Purpose: This study aimed to investigate the effects of a reinforcement program for behavioral skills in postpartum care for couples with their first baby. Methods: The study used a non-equivalent control group and pretest-posttest design. It was conducted from January 14 to April 10, 2016 at a postpartum care center in D city. It analyzed 43 couples (22 in the experimental group and 21 in the control group.) For data analysis, descriptive statistics, test of homogeneity in pretest, independent t-tests, and repeated measures ANOVA were used. Results: For maternal fulfillment of postpartum care and postpartum fatigue, there was no significant difference in the interaction between group and time. In terms of parent-newborns attachment, the interaction between group and time showed a significant difference for mothers (F=13.63, p=.001) and fathers (F=6.51, p=.001). In marital intimacy, the interaction between group and time showed a significant difference for mothers (F=14.40, p<.001) and fathers (F=9.46, p=.004). In parenting stress, the interaction between group and time showed a significant difference for mothers (F=31.8, p<.001) and fathers (F=11.69, p=.001). A significant difference was found for the mothers' postpartum sleeping hours (F=0.14 p=.004). Conclusion: This program for behavioral skills in postpartum care, which is based on the information-motivation-behavioral skills model, improves postpartum care, parent-newborn attachment, marital intimacy, parenting stress, and maternal postpartum sleeping, by reinforcing behavioral skills required for postpartum care.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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• v.22 no.6
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• pp.237-250
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• 2021

This study analyzed 'how the elderly's sexual relations and marital intimacy affect the elderly's life satisfaction'. Interviews and visits were conducted for 11 days targeting 309 elderly people aged 65 years or older. As a result of the analysis, 51% were male, 49% were female, and 84.7% were in their 60s and 70s. Approximately 60.1% of them were religious, of which 24.7% were protestants. In the region, 42.9% lived in rural and fishing villages. The percentage of those who answered that their health status was above average was 87.6%. Regarding the frequency of sexual life, 41.4% of the respondents said they had sex once or twice a month. Males had a higher frequency of sexual life than females. A lower age, higher education, living in small and medium-sized cities, better health status, and higher income level were associated with a higher frequency of sexual life. The factors that showed a significant difference in sex life satisfaction were gender, region, and health status. Those with religion as Protestantism, residing in a small or medium-sized city or over, with better health and higher income levels were found to have higher life satisfaction. The satisfaction with sex life had a positive correlation with emotional intimacy (p<.01) and life satisfaction (p<.01). Based on the above results, the sexual life satisfaction of the elderly has a positive effect on life satisfaction, and emotional intimacy between spouses had a positive influence on life satisfaction.