• Korean Journal of Social Welfare
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• v.51
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• pp.29-61
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• 2002

This study was designed to find out the determinants of types of bullying behavior, and the effects of types of bullying behavior on the bullies. For this purpose, a hypothetical model which explains the relationships among 6 environmental factors, 5 types of bullying behavior, and 5 outcome variables for the bullies was developed. Using the data collected from 177 junior and high school students who have bullied the other students, the hypothetical model was tested. For data analysis, a path analysis was used, and the best-fitting model was found (df=78, GFI=0.953, CFI=1.00). As a result of analyzing the model, types of bullying behavior were found to be determined by the different environmental factors: Isolation was determined by 2 factors (feeling of isolation from friends, exposure to bullying), social bullying by 2 factors (lack of support from parents, exposure to bullying), verbal bullying by conflicts with parents, physical bullying by 3 factors (lack of support from parents, exposure to isolation and exposure to bullying), and instrumental bullying by lack of support from parents. On the other hand, the pleasure that the bullies feel after bullying behavior was increased by isolation, verbal bullying and physical bullying, while decreased by instrumental bullying. Guilt feeling was decreased by isolation and instrumental bullying, while increased by physical bullying. Isolation increased the tendency of blaming the victim. Isolation and instrumental bullying increased bullies' self-esteem, while social bullying decreased self-esteem. Verbal bullying increased the extent of bullying, while instrumental bullying decreased the extent of bullying. Based on the findings, the intervention strategies to change the bullies' attitudes toward victim, and to increase social support from the significant others as well as the effective ways to reorganize the school environment in order to reduce and prevent bullying behavior were suggested.

• Proceeding of Spring/Autumn Annual Conference of KHA
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• 2002.11a
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• pp.137-142
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• 2002

The purpose of this study was to examine the features that make residents feel “at home” in ALFs in Southwest Virginia and to suggest further policy and design guidelines for better Quality of ALFs as a “home.” For this purpose, residents' needs, experiences, and opinions of the physical environment, the social environment, and the organizational environments such as policies and programs of ALFs were identified. As a multi-case study, five ALFs in Southwest Virginia were studied using constant comparative methos of data analysis. In addition to face-to-face interviews with 25 residents and five administrators of five ALFs, observations were conducted with personal journal. Overall, the five sites selected presented homelike features showing the philosophy of assisted living which combines housing and services. Each facility was designed to be a single-family house or multi-family dwelling in outside appearance. As a whole, residents felt isolation and loneliness and they did not have active interaction with other residents because of diverse background among the residents. However, all of them had close relationships with the staff. The staff's attitude and behavior seemed to influence greatly the residents' feeling “at home.” Despite the provision of diverse activities by the facilities, many residents did not participate in the programs. Most of the residents agreed that the rule and regulations were fair. In spite of high satisfaction with the facility, many people did not think of their current dwelling as a real ‘home.’ As the biggest difference between living in their own homes and living in the ALF, people pointed out a lack of independence, freedom, and autonomy. Residents of ALFs may have reordered their priorities in their current life situation so that safety, security, and care were more important to them than feeling “at home.” Among the three factors --physical, social, and organizational-- that affect the residents' perception of ALFs as a “home, ” many emphasized the importance of social factors such as relationships with the staff and residents, and social support from their family or friends.

• Korean Journal of Social Welfare Studies
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• v.41 no.1
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• pp.251-279
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• 2010

In 2009 the Ministry of Health and Society reported a new milestone in longevity among people living with HIV and AIDS (PLWHA): An individual was reported to be living and healthy after 24 years with HIV/AIDS. Today, PLWHA who receive treatment are more likely to die as a result of cancer or cardiovascular diseases than HIV/AIDS. However, in Korea the public association between HIV/AIDS and death remains strong and PLWHA live with the feeling of being discarded. While great advances have been made in the treatment of HIV/AIDS, understanding of life with HIV/AIDS is just beginning. This study describes the life experiences of PLWHA after being diagnosed with HIV/AIDS. Phenomenological methods were used to analyze the transcripts of semi-structured interviews with six PLWHA. Time is a constant factor in the life experiences of PLWHA. After being diagnosed, participants were shocked, feeling as though the world was caving in and they were living with a time bomb. Compulsory disclosure left PLWHA with a feeling of disconnection from the world. Participants were fired from their jobs, resulting in poverty, isolation and a sense that they were simply waiting to die. However, health professionals informed participants that HIV/AIDS is a manageable illness. With time, PLWHA came to understand HIV/AIDS differently. In accepting their HIV infection, PLWHA created a new sense of meaning in their lives. To be honest to their loved ones and true to their own identity, PLWHA worked to "come out." The experience of coming out helped them to accept themselves as they were and understand their own strength. The most important influence on their treatment, and living with HIV/AIDS generally, was obtaining correct information about HIV/AIDS from health professionals. After accepting that they were living with HIV/AIDS, participants were able to look beyond themselves to support those around them, including family members, friends, and others who encouraged them to recognize and feel confident in their own identity.