• Korean Journal of Adult Nursing
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• v.14 no.4
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• pp.532-542
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• 2002

Purpose: This study were to investigate BMD of middle-aged women and to examine the relationships between BMD and Physical, Obstetric characteristics Method: The data was collected from 119 healthy women who were 40-60 years old. they were examined for BMD at 4 regions(forearm, lumbar, femur, whole body), %fat by DEXA and investigated physical, obstetric characteristics using scale, questionnaire from January to March, 2001. Result: 1) According to bone diagnostic results by WHO classification, 95.8% of forearm and whole body BMD were normal but 21.8-48.7% of lumbar and femur BMD(neck, trochanter, ward's triangle) were diagnosed osteoporosis or osteopnea. 2) The bones were significantly positive correlations of each other (r=.19-.69, p=.04-.00) and there were significant correlations between BMD and physical, obstetric characteristics such as age (r=-.22, p=.02), weight(r=.36~.48, p=.00), height(r=.22, p=.02), %fat(r=.19, p=.04) and age of first delivery(r=-.28, p=.00). Conclusion: Based on this study, healthy middle-aged women were also exposed to risk of osteoporosis related to aging, change of physical conditions or hormonal release. Further research to develop nursing interventions for the purpose of preventing osteoporosis by modifying risk factors is suggested.

• Korean Journal of Adult Nursing
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• v.14 no.1
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• pp.102-113
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• 2002

Purpose: This study was designed to identify the relationship between self reported climacteric symptoms, self concept and depression in middle aged women. Method: Data were collected through self-reported questionaires which were constructed to include a climacteric symptoms, self-concept and depression of middle-aged women scale. The subjects for this study were 102 women between 40-59 years of age living in P city. The data were analyzed by descriptive statistics, t-test, ANOVA, Pearson Correlation Coefficient. Results: The results obtained from this study were as follows : 1) The relationship between self reported climacteric symptoms and self concept was statistically significant with a negative correlation (r=-0.4862, P0.001). The relationship between self reported climacteric symptoms and depression had a statistically significant positive correlation (r=0.5393, P<0.001). The Relationship between self-concept and depression had a statistically significant negative correlation (r=-0.3769, P<0.001). 2) General characteristic variables significantly related to self reported climacteric symptoms were age (F=3.13, P<0.05) and frequency of pregnancy (F=3.24, P<0.05). General characteristic variables significantly related to frequency of self-concept were age (F=3.13, P<0.05), education level (F=2.97, P<0.05) and occupation (t=1.84, P<0.05). General characteristic variables significantly related to depression were age (F=3.12, P<0.05) and number of children (t=3.59, P<0.05). 3) The obstetrical characteristic variable significantly related to self-reported climacteric symptoms was the frequency of pregnancy (t=3.24, P<0.05). Conclusion: This study shows possible implications for nursing intervention for middle-aged women's health to prevent and relieve climacteric symptoms.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.36 no.5
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• pp.491-499
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• 2003

Selenium is a strong antioxidant trace mineral, scavenging free radicals. The prevalence of chronic degenerative diseases is increasing in Korean adults with increasing age. The increased cell damage from free radicals has been implicated in the etiology of these diseases, and evidence is accumulating that the low selenium status that comes with advanced aged is involved in the prevalence of age-associated diseases. However, little is known about the selenium status of Koreans, its age-related change and its relationship to dietary nutrient intake. In this study, the serum selenium levels of healthy adult females according to life cycle and its association with blood albumin levels and nutrient intake were examined. Serum selenium level was measured with the Huwo research reactor using the neutron activation analysis method (NAA). The overall proportion of women with selenium deficiency, serum selenium concentrations below 7.0 $\mu\textrm{g}$/dl, was 9.4%. The average serum selenium levels were 12.39 $\mu\textrm{g}$/dl, 9.45 $\mu\textrm{g}$/dl and 9.16 $\mu\textrm{g}$/dl in the young adult, middle-aged and elderly groups, respectively, showing a reduction of selenium status with advancing age. Selenium deficiency was seen only in the elderly group. Generally, serum selenium levels positively or negatively correlated with nutrient intake, but these association patterns differed depending on the age. The nutrients that showed positive correlations with selenium levels were proteins and phosphate in the young adult group (p < 0.05, p < 0.05), and total calcium, potassium and vegetable-origin calcium in the middle-aged group. Vitamin C and fiber were the negative correlated nutrients with serum selenium levels in the elderly group (p < 0.05, p < 0.05). Multiple stepwise regression analysis of the determining factors responsible for selenium status showed that age and serum albumin levels were important factors which explained up to 26.9% variances in serum selenium levels. The average selenium concentrations of Korean adult female subjects were above the deficiency levels in all three age groups. There was a tendency toward decreasing selenium levels as the age of the subjects increased. The factors with the strongest in-fluence on selenium status in healthy adult Korean females were age and serum protein status. (Korean J Nutrition 36(5): 491~499, 2003)

• Journal of Families and Better Life
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• v.22 no.5
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• pp.197-210
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• 2004

The Purpose of this study was to explore the effects of differentiation, emotion over involvement(expressed emotion), and criticism between middle-or-old aged parent and child, by relation of emotional system, on child's psychological depression. The subject of this study were m premarital adult children over 30 years old. The major findings of this study were as follows. First. it was found that mother-child differentiation was more perceptive than that of father-child. With psychological depression, expressed emotion within family and criticism were shown average score that was lower than middle score. Second, among demographic characteristics, there are significant differences premarital adult children's sex, education, income, family type, father's education, and parents' marital status. Third, as the result of regression analysis, the higher level of psychological depression when the lower differentiation between parent-child, the higher expressed emotion over involvement within family and criticism. Based on the findings in this study, the relation of emotional system is very important. Therefore, it is necessary to consider the therapeutic intervention and relation improvement program when individual and family counseling about parent-child are going on.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Culture
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• v.22 no.6
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• pp.833-840
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• 2007

The purpose of this study was to obtain baseline data of nutritional management for women's bone health according to age. This study was conducted through questionnaire, bone mineral density(BMD) measurement by DEXA and dietary survey by 24hr recalls to 134 adult women. Subjects were divided into three groups: young women group who aged 20-29(n=48), middle aged women group who aged over 30 and were pre-menopause(n=36), postmenopausal women group(n=48). The body fat percent of postmenopausal women group was the highest among the three groups. BMD of lumbar spine(L1-L2) were $0.93\;g/cm^2$ for young women, $0.97\;g/cm^2$ for middle aged women, and $0.88\;g/cm^2$ for postmenopausal women, respectively(p<0.05). BMD of femoral neck(p<0.05), trochanter(p<0.05), and ward's (p<0.001) were significantly decreased as age increasement. Drinking alcohol and skipping meals were significantly higher in young women groups than in the other groups, however frequency of doing regular exercise was significantly lower in young women groups. Young women group consumed the significantly higher amount of cereals(p<0.05), sugar and sweeteners(p<0.001), meats(p<0.01), eggs(p<0.01), milks(p<0.05) and oils(p<0.001) than middle aged and postmenopausal women. Also, energy(p<0.001), animal protein, (p<0.01), plant oil(p<0.001), animal fat(p<0.001), retinol(p<0.001), vitamin E(p<0.01), and cholesterol(p<0.001) intakes of young women were highest among the three groups. However, young women group consumed the significantly lower amount of dietary fiber(p<0.05), vitamin C(p<0.01), folate(p<0.05) and fruits(p<0.01) than the other groups. To summarized the our results, young women who were in still undergoing bone formation activity to develope peak bone mass, had more dietary habit and lifestyle problems than middle aged and postmenopausal women. The results of this study revealed that nutritional management and education for bone health should be emphasized in young women not only aged women.

• Korean Journal of Adult Nursing
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• v.16 no.3
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• pp.482-492
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• 2004

Purpose: This study was to identify the effects of self-foot reflexology on urinary incontinence symptoms, vaginal contraction and daily life discomfort of middle-aged women. Method: A quasi-experimental design was used. The subject were 39 middle-aged women with urinary incontinence, who were composed of 18 women in the experimental group, while 21 were in the control group. In the experimental group, self-foot reflexology was applied for 30 minutes, three times a week for 4 weeks. The obtained data were analyzed by using the Mann-Whitney U test of SPSS. Result: 1. Frequency(U=78.00, P=.001), amount(U=65.00, p=.001) and the situation score(U=81.00, P=.002)of urinary incontinence were reduced significantly in the experimental group as compared to the control group. 2. Maximum pressure(U=33.50, p=.000), mean pressure(U=38.00 p=.000) of vaginal contraction were improved significantly in the experimental group as compared to the control group. 3. Daily life discomfort in the experimental group was reduced whereas that of the control group was increased(U=63.00, p=.000) significantly. Conclusion: These findings indicate that self-foot reflexology is an effective method for reducing urinary incontinence symptoms and daily life discomfort and for increasing pressure of vaginal contraction of middle-aged women. Therefore self-foot reflexology can be considered as a independent nursing intervention for urinary incontinence.

• Korean Journal of Adult Nursing
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• v.16 no.3
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• pp.421-431
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• 2004

Purpose: The study was performed to investigate the predictors associated transition with each stage of exercise behavior based to the Transtheoretical Model, and to provide basic data for exercise behavior programs for middle aged women. Methods: The subjects consisted of 434 women residing in B city by convenience sampling. The collected data were analyzed with multiple logistic regression using SPSS/WIN program. Results: The predictors of transition from precontemplation to contemplation were consciousness raising(OR=2.095, 95% CI: 1.305-3.363), Reinforcement management(OR= 1.903, 95% CI: 1.107-3.271), Stimulus control (OR=2.176, 95% CI:1.239-3.820), Menstrual status (OR=5.327, 95% CI: 1.110-25.562). The predictors of transition from contemplation to preparation were Helping relationship(OR= 1.671, 95% CI: 1.065-2.662), Pros(OR=2.500, 95% CI: 1.254-4.982), Perceived Health status (OR=.178, 95% CI: .041-.770). The predictor of transition from preparation to action was Stimulus control(OR=1.918, 95% CI: 1.103- 3.336). The predictors of transition from action to maintenance were Consciousness raising(OR= 1.939, 95% CI: 1.031-3.647), Dramatic relief (OR=2.249, 95% CI: 1.025-4.931). Conclusions: Adequate examination on the factors, which can predict the transitional stages of change exercise behaviors among middle aged women, which is presented in this study. The results of this study will become the pillar of exercise intervention program planning and application.

• The Journal of Korean Academic Society of Nursing Education
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• v.18 no.3
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• pp.436-445
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• 2012

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to identify social support networks for each life-cycle stage of adults. Method: A total of 1,047 subjects included 454 young adults, 262 middle-aged adults and 331 senior adults. Data were collected using Oh's Korean Version Norbeck's Social Support Questionnaire (NSSQ), and analyzed using descriptive statistics, t-test, and ANOVA. Result: For the young adults, parents were the top and second priority as important social support resources, the third was siblings, and then friends. For the middle-aged, spouse was the first priority as an important social support resource, while the second and the third were children. For the senior adults, children ranked from the top to the seventh priority. The mean number of social support resources was 13.23 for the young adult, 12.93 for the middle-aged and 5.30 for the senior adults. Social support networks of the young adults significantly differed according to gender and marital status. That of the middle-aged significantly differed according to family size. In addition, that of the senior adults was significantly different according to marital status, economic status, religion and family size. Conclusion: It is essential to consider social support networks for each life-cycle stage of adults when making a social support intervention program.

• Korean Journal of Adult Nursing
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• v.17 no.5
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• pp.719-731
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• 2005

Purpose: This research was conducted to explore the experience of middle-aged women parting with their children and to develop a grounded theory. Method: The participants were 11 women in their 50's who had experienced parting with their children due to schooling, military service and marriage. The grounded theory methodology based on symbolic interactionism was used. Results: 106 concepts, 30 subcategories and 14 categories were derived from the analysis through processes of open coding, axial coding and selective coding. The central phenomenon was 'happy but sad' and the core category was a process of 'independence that is sorrowful yet delightful'. Four types were identified; the independent-type; submissive -type; family-reliant-type ; and fragile-type; based on the attachment to the child, state of mind, satisfaction of the situation, family support system and self-achievement. Conclusion: This research identified that the modern Korean middle-aged women who are considered to be the 'sandwich generation' since they have experienced a turbulent history and the change from a confucian parent-child lifestyle to a couple-oriented one, moved away from an attitude dependent on children in parting with them and started preparing for an independent late life. Based on the results, the verification research is advised on the variables that affect the experience of parting with children.

• Journal of the Korean Home Economics Association
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• v.47 no.3
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• pp.35-44
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• 2009

The purpose of this study is to analyze the relationships between clothing image and clothing shopping orientation of middle aged women. For this purpose, the subjects of 300 adult women from in their 40’s to 50’s, living in Daegu area were sampled out by convenient sampling method. The result of this analysis are as follows. 1)a factor analysis identified six different types of clothing image: classy, bold, plain, feminine, casual, and peculiar. 2)five different types of clothing shopping orientation were identified: conspicuous, conformable, hedonic, uniqueness conscious, and quality conscious. 3)the results of multiple regression analysis found that clothing images affected clothing shopping orientation of middle aged women. This meant that significant relationships existed among these variables and there was a causal relationship between clothing image and clothing shopping orientation.