• Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing
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• v.45 no.4
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• pp.587-594
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• 2015

Purpose: To identify the effects of foot reflexology massage on fatigue, stress and depression of postpartum women. Methods: A nonequivalent control group pre-post design was used. A total of 70 women in a postpartum care center were recruited and were assigned to the experimental group (35) or control group (35). Foot reflexology massage was provided to the experimental group once a day for three days. Data were collected before and after the intervention program which was carried out from December, 2013 to February, 2014. Data were analyzed using Chi-square test, Fisher's exact test, and t-test. Results: The level of fatigue in the experimental group was significantly lower than the control group (t= - 2.74, p=.008). The level of cortisol in the urine of women in the experimental group was significantly lower than the control group (t= - 2.19, p=.032). The level of depression in the experimental group was significantly lower than the control group (t= - 3.00, p=.004). Conclusion: The results show that the foot reflexology massage is an effective nursing intervention to relieve fatigue, stress, and depression for postpartum women.

• Women's Health Nursing
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• v.19 no.1
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• pp.48-56
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• 2013

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to identify the influencing factors of mothers' confidence in their maternal role during the early postpartum period. Methods: Participants were 178 postpartum women who delivered at three specialized obstetrics and gynecology facilities and used the postpartum care facility in city B. Data were collected from February to April, 2012 using the scales of measurements of self-confidence in maternal role performance, maternal self-esteem, mother-to-infant attachment, social support, and childcare stress. Descriptive statistics, Pearson correlation coefficients, and stepwise multiple regression were used with the SPSS/WIN 18.0 program to analyze the data. Results: The scores for self-confidence in the maternal role showed significant negative correlations with the scores of childcare stress (r=-.40, p<.001). Parity and maternal attachment were significant predictors and accounted for 97.4% of the variance in self-confidence in the maternal role. Conclusion: To strengthen self-confidence in the maternal role of early postpartum mothers, prenatal class programs need to be complemented in order to reduce childcare stress and promote mother-to-infant attachment.

• Journal of the Korea Convergence Society
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• v.12 no.9
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• pp.323-330
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• 2021

Purpose: This study aimed to identify the maternal functioning and related factors among early postpartum women. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 243 women recruited from three women's hospitals. Participants completed a structured questionnaire in on-line or off-line between 6 and 12 weeks postpartum. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, the t-test, analysis of variance, Pearson correlation coefficients, and stepwise multiple regression with SPSS for Windows ver. 25.0. Results: The mean score for the maternal functioning was 73.28±16.78 out of 120 points. Maternal functioning was associated with postpartum depression (r=-.57 p<.001), and spousal and family support (r=.54, p<.001). According to the stepwise multiple regression, postpartum depression (β=-0.43, p<.001), spouse and family support (β=0.39, p<.001), employment (β=0.12, p=.012) and delivery method (β=-0.10 p=.026) had a significant relationship with the maternal functioning among postpartum women. These variables had an explanatory power of 49.0% for maternal functioning. Conclusion: It is necessary to develop and implement a maternal intervention program focused on alleviating postpartum depression and improving spouse and family support. This study will be the starting point for various studies by identifying the maternal functioning of postpartum women for the first time in Korea.

• Women's Health Nursing
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• v.8 no.2
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• pp.301-313
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• 2002

The purpose of this study was to develop the frame for standardized manual for Sanhujoriwon by finding out the status of the management of women & newborn in Sanhujoriwon, like postpartum care center. The subjects were 95 staffs of 22 Sanhujoriwon agreed on oral consent, in Seoul and Bundang, Korea. Data were collected from Sep. 15 to Oct. 24, 2001. The instrument used for this study was a structured questionnaire consisted of 16 items of general characteristics & educational characteristics about postpartum care, 31 items of degree of management of women's postpartum care (Cronbach's $\alpha$.93 ), 24 items of degree of management of newborn's care(Cronbach's $\alpha$.94 ), 10 items of methods of management of women's postpartum care, 8 items of methods management of newborn's care. The data were analyzed by the SPSS/PC+ program using frequency, percentage, mean, standard deviation, t-test, ANOVA and Pearson correlation coefficient. The results of the study were as follows ; 1. The mean of the degree of management for postpartum women was 4.1. The mean score for the degree of management of general postpartum care for women was 4.00 & traditional postpartum care(Sanhujori) was 4.20. The degree of management of traditional postpartum care was higher than general postpartum care for women. 2. The degree of management for newborn : The mean score for the degree of management of newborn was 4.37. 3.There was a strong positive correlation between general postpartum care and traditional postpartum care($r=.744^{**}$), and postpartum mother care and newborn care($r=.798^{**}$). 4.The basic frame for the management of the women and newborn in Sanhujoriwon. 1) For women: Integrated postpartal care Physical management : Vital sign & BP check, contraction of uterus, form and amount of lochia, management of personal hygiene, management of breast & breast-feeding, management of postpartum exercise, prevention of infection, symptom & sign of high risk and prevention & management of high risk condition; Emotional-psychological management: assessment and management of mother-baby attachment, emotional state; Educational management : education of vaccination schedule, urinary incontinence, rearing infant, breast-feeding ; and Environmental management : temperature, humidity, disinfection, cleaning, light, infection control integrated with 6 principles of Sanhujori. 2) For newborn Physical management : check of vital sign, management of umbilical cord, jaundice, prevention of infection, management of diaper rash; Emotional-psychological management : assessment of sleep, crying, activity, response of mother-baby attachment; and Environmental management : temperature, humidity, disinfection, cleaning, light, infection control integrated with 6 principles of Sanhujori. In conclusion Sanhujoriwon must be health care center for the postpartum women and newborn. Therefore, the establishment of various laws and regulations in such a way to meet the realistic needs of Sanhujoriwon as a health care center for women and infants future health should be done. The standardized management manual based on the results is absolutely required above all.

• Women's Health Nursing
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• v.24 no.3
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• pp.322-332
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• 2018

Purpose: To investigate the effect of a maternal role adjustment program on first-time mothers. Methods: The research was quasi-experimental with a non-equivalent control group non-synchronized design. Participants were first-time mothers admitted to two postpartum clinics at women's hospitals. The experimental group had 38 mothers and the control group had 35 mothers. A maternal role adjustment program was applied individually to the experimental group between the 1st and 2nd weeks after childbirth. Assessing Adaptation to Motherhood, Semantic Differential Scale-Myself as Mother, and Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale were used to measure effects of the program. A pre-test was conducted in the 1st week after childbirth while post-tests were conducted in the 4th and 6th weeks. Data were analyzed with $x^2$ test, Fisher's exact test, t-test, and repeated measures ANOVA using SPSS 24.0. Results: Maternal role adjustment (F=6.17, p=.015) and maternal identity (F=6.63, p=.012) were significantly increased in the experimental group compared to those in the control group. However, the difference in postpartum depression (F=1.11, p=.335) was not statistically significant between the two groups. Conclusions: The maternal role adjustment program can be utilized as an effective nursing intervention program to enhance maternal role adjustment and maternal identity for first-time mothers.

• Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing
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• v.34 no.8
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• pp.1468-1476
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• 2004

Purpose: A quasi-experimental study was performed to investigate the effects of a home visiting discharge education program on the maternal self-esteem, attachment, postpartum depression and family function in 35 mothers of neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) infants. Methods: Twenty-three mothers in the intervention group received the home visiting discharge education while 12 mothers in the control group received the routine, hospital discharge education. Baseline data was collected in both groups one day after delivery. The intervention group received the home visiting discharge education while the control group did the routine hospital-based discharge education. The questionnaire including the data on maternal self-esteem, attachment, postpartum depression and family function were collected within 1 week after the discharge by mail. Results: The scores of maternal self-esteem, and attachment were significantly increased, and the postpartum depression and the family function score were decreased after the home visiting discharge education in intervention group. There were no changes in these variables before and after the routine hospital-based discharge education in control group. Conclusion: These results support the beneficial effects of home visiting discharge education on the maternal role adaptation and family function of the mothers of NICU infants.

• Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing
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• v.34 no.1
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• pp.53-62
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• 2004

Purpose This study was designed to verify the effect of aromatherapy on a postpartum mother's perineal healing. Method The research design was a clinical trial. The methods of aromatherapy were applied sitz bath or soap application using essential oils with Lavender, Myrrh, Neroli, Rose, Grapefruit, Mandarin, Orange, and Roman Chamomile. The subjects of this experiment were postpartum mothers who delivered vaginally with an episiotomy. They were allocated to one of three groups; the aroma-sitz bath group, aroma-soap application group or control group. To evaluate the effect of aromatherapy, the perineal healing status was measured using the REEDA scale and smears of episiotomy wound were obtained. The data were analyzed by repeated measures of ANOVA, ANCOV A, x$^2$- test, and multiple response analysis via SPSS program. Results The REEDA scale was significantly low in the experimental group at postpartum 5th and 7th days (P=.009, P=.003), respectively. Most were observed ‘few’(5-10 bacteria per field) bacteria in the smears of episiotomy wound. The one bacteria was identified in the 50.8% of subjects in pretest and two bacteria in the 60.3% in posttest. Most frequently identified bacteria were Escherichia coli and Enterococcus faecalis. Conclusion In conclusion, these findings indicate that postpartum aromatherapy for perineal care could be effective in healing the perineum perineal care could be effective in healing the perineum.

• Women's Health Nursing
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• v.25 no.1
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• pp.19-30
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• 2019

Purpose: To identify needs for pregnancy and postpartum adaptation of Chinese immigrant women and Vietnamese immigrant women in South Korea. Methods: A descriptive research design was employed. Data were collected from 244 Chinese immigrant women and Vietnamese immigrant women from 3 provinces, 20 health care centers, and multi-cultural family support centers. Data were analyzed with descriptive statistics, t-test and ANOVA. Results: An average score for needs perceived by Chinese immigrant women was significantly higher than that perceived by Vietnamese immigrant women. There were significantly differences in physical and emotional adaptation after childbirth, nutrition during pregnancy, cross cultural understanding and personal respect, and adaptation daily activity during pregnancy between the 2 groups. The highest score of needs in Chinese immigrant women was for nutrition during pregnancy and that in Vietnamese immigrant women was for baby rearing and family support. Conclusion: Based on needs of pregnancy and postpartum adaption, nursing intervention program in consideration of cultural characteristics of Chinese immigrant women and Vietnam immigrant women need to be developed for their pregnancy and postpartum health care.

• Child Health Nursing Research
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• v.20 no.1
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• pp.11-19
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• 2014

Purpose: The purposes of this study were to develop a postpartum nursing intervention program for immigrant women and evaluate the effects on postpartum depression, child rearing confidence, home environment, and infant temperament. Methods: This research was a non-equivalent control group pre-test and post-test design. Participants were pregnant immigrant women from China, Vietnam, and the Philippines residing in Kyunggi province and Seoul. Twenty women were assigned to the intervention group, and 19 women to the control group. For the intervention group, the women were visited at home and provided emotional support and parenting education for three months. To analyze the intervention effects, repeated measure ANOVA and t-test were used. Results: Child rearing confidence was higher in the experimental group than the control group at interaction effect of time and group, six weeks and three months postpartum. However, there were no significant effects for maternal depression, infant temperament, and husband support. Home Observation for Measurement of the Environment (HOME) score in the experimental group was higher than that of the control group at three month postpartum. Conclusion: Results indicate that the nursing intervention program had positive effects and can be used to further the health status of immigrant mothers and children.

• Women's Health Nursing
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• v.7 no.1
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• pp.67-79
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• 2001

This study was designed to verify the effect of Doula-type-delivery nursing care on plasma $\beta$-endorphin, serum cortisol, related to delivery stress during labor, and postpartum anxiety of primipara by a quasi experiment(nonequivalent control group pretest-posttest design), from December, 1999 to August, 2000. The subjects of this experiment consisted of sixty eight primipara, with single gestation, full term, uncomplicated pregnancies, thirty three for the experimental group and thirty five for the control group. Their mean age was 26.1 years for the experimental group and 25.5 years for the control group. Their mean gestation period was 39.7 weeks for the experimental group and 40.1 weeks for the control group. As treatment, Doula-type-delivery nursing care was given for the experimental group. Data assessed plasma $\beta$-endorphin, serum cortisol during labor, and anxiety during postpartum. Plasma $\beta$-endorphin, serum cortisol were measured in the latent phase before treatment(pre-test) and the transition phase after treatment(posttest). Also, anxiety was measured in the latent phase before treatment(pre-test) and 24 hours postpartum after treatment(posttest). Data was analyzed by t-test, $x^2$-test, Repeated measures ANOVA with SAS Program. The results of this study were as follows; 1. Plasma $\beta$-endorphin was significantly elevated in the experimental group who were cared for with Doula-type-delivery nursing care during labor(P=.0463). 2. No significant group effects were found, but significant time effects were found for serum cortisol. 3. The postpartum anxiety of the experimental group was significantly lower than the control group(P=.0110). In conclusion, these findings indicate that Doula-type-delivery nursing care during labor could be effective in increasing maternal plasma $\beta$-endorphin and decreasing postpartum anxiety. Doula-type-delivery nursing care during labor could be applied as an effective nursing treatment for primipara.