• 한국사회정책
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• v.24 no.2
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• pp.61-86
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• 2017

Along with the well-established evidence on the negative effect of social isolation on physical and mental health, increasing attention has been paid to multi-dimensional nature of social isolation. One line of study on social isolation has discussed different pathways between objective and subjective social isolation and health. Another stream of the research focused on the possibly non-linear association between social isolation and health by age cohort groups. Drawing from the two lines of research, this study aimed at empirically examine to what extent objective and subjective social isolation are associated with physical and mental health independently and how the associations vary by three age cohorts(i.e. the middle-aged, the young old, the old-old). Data came from the first wave of Korean Social Life, Health and Aging Project (KSHAP) (N= 814). Findings showed 1) objective subjective isolation were significantly related with worse physical and mental health, interestingly, subjective social isolation was associated with mental health only, 2) pattern of association between social isolation and physical health varied by age cohorts. Specifically, compared to the middle-aged, the young old with higher objective social isolation exhibited lower level of physical health, while the old-old with higher subjective social isolation were likely to experience lower physical health. Based on the findings, we discussed implications and suggestions for future research and relevant policy/program development for ameliorating objective and subjective social isolation.

• Korean Journal of Social Welfare Studies
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• v.48 no.2
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• pp.143-171
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• 2017

Along with the well-established evidence on the negative effect of social isolation on physical mental health and mortality, increasing attention has been paid to multi-dimensional nature of social isolation. In this study, the main effect and interaction effect of objective and subjective social isolation on heterogeneous age cohort related to the onset of dementia, which is becoming a social problem due to rapid aging of health issues, was examined through binary logistic regression analysis. Data came from the first wave of Korean Social Life, Health and Aging Project (KSHAP) (N= 814). Findings showed 1) in the young-old, objective isolation was a significant on the incidence of dementia, 2) in the old-old, subjective isolation increased the risk of dementia. In summary, the relative influence of objective and subjective social isolation related to the incidence of dementia varies depending on the young-old and old-old. On the other hand, the interaction effect of objective and subjective social isolation on dementia was not significant in both the young-old and old-old. Based on the findings, we discussed implications and suggestions for future research and relevant policy and program development(dementia-friendly communities) for ameliorating objective and subjective social isolation.

• 한국노년학
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• v.38 no.4
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• pp.811-835
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• 2018

Social relations and cognitive function in old age are closely related to each other, and social relation is classified into structural characteristics and qualitative characteristics reflecting cognitive and emotional evaluation. The concept of social isolation is the focus of attention in relation to the social relations of old age. Social isolation has a multidimensional theoretical structure that is divided into objective dimension such as social network, type of furniture, social participation, and subjective dimension such as lack of perceived social support and loneliness. There is also a close relationship between cognitive function and interpersonal conflict in old age. In this study, we examined the effect of subjective social isolation, which shows the structural characteristics of social relations, and subjective social isolation and interpersonal conflict on the dementia occurrence by age group in the elderly. The data were analyzed by applying a random effect panel logit model using 1,740 panel data from the first year to the third year of KSHAP. The results of the analysis are summarized as follows. First, the cognitive impairment increased sharply with age. Objective and subjective social isolation were both U-shaped distribution with an inflection point of 80 years old. Second, the main effect on the probability of cognitive impairment was statistically significant with objective and subjective social isolation, but the type of interpersonal conflict did not appear to be significant. Third, the results of two-way interaction effect analysis on the probability of cognitive impairment are as follows. The relationship between subjective social isolation and the probability of occurrence of cognitive impairment was significantly different according to the level of conflict with spouse. In addition, the higher the subjective social isolation, the higher the probability of cognitive impairment in the elderly(over 85) than in the young-old(65~74). In addition, as the level of conflict with spouses increases, the probability of cognitive impairment of the oldest-old(aged 85 or older) is drastically lower than that of the young-old(aged 65~74). Based on the results of this study, policy and practical implications for reducing the cognitive impairment of the elderly age group were suggested, and limitations of the study and suggestions for future research were discussed.

• Journal of Digital Convergence
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• v.16 no.7
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• pp.429-439
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• 2018

The objective of the study was to analyze difference in cognitive function according to social isolation level in elderly Korean. The author classified the social isolation into the structural isolation and contact isolation. Structural isolation corresponded to the no spouse or no children and the contact isolation corresponded to the absence of contact with children, friends or social association. Author conducted multivariate regression analysis with the elderly people aged 65 years or older from the 5th wave of the Korean Longitudinal Study of Ageing data. Number of sample was 3,971. It was confirmed that the level of cognitive function was lower according to level of social isolation. It was also confirmed that friends/neighborhood isolation, and social activity isolation showed significant relationships with cognitive functions. Based on the results, author suggested that to protect the elderly from negative effects of social isolation, we needed the policy to promote elderly's the participation in social activity. The study to analyze the factors related to social isolation was also needed.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.57 no.3
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• pp.242-251
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• 2024

Objectives: The aim of this study was to analyze the relationship between objective social isolation (SI) and unmet medical needs (UMN) in adults aged 19 and older. Methods: A cross-sectional analysis was conducted of 208 619 adults aged 19 and older, excluding missing data, using the 2019 Korea Community Health Survey. To analyze the association between objective SI and UMN, the chi-square test and logistic regression analysis were performed. Results: The prevalence of UMN was 1.14 times higher (odds ratio [OR], 1.14; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.06 to 1.23) among those with SI than among those without SI, and the OR for groups with 5 SI types was 2.77 (95% CI, 1.86 to 4.12) compared to those with no SI types. In addition, a stratified analysis by age group showed that the association between SI and UMN existed even in groups under 64 years old. However, among those aged 65 and older, SI was associated with an OR of 1.53 (95% CI, 1.37 to 1.71) for UMN compared to non-SI. As the number of SI types increased, the prevalence of UMN also increased, indicating a strong association between SI and UMN in older adults. Conclusions: This study found that individuals with SI experienced UMN due to fear and anxiety about interpersonal relationships. Therefore, based on the results of this cross-sectional study, it is necessary to investigate the causal relationship between SI and UMN through future longitudinal data.

• Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing
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• v.6 no.1
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• pp.72-79
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• 1976

Contemper nursing literature place much importance on human- centered and individualized care. Nursing research has related stress during hospitalization of adolescent patients to adaptation to a new environment, isolation from friends, limitation due to illness, over protection of parents and communication with member of the medical team. The investigator conducted this study in the hope that an understanding of adolescents responses to hospitalization, their perceptions, the kinds and levels of stress, and the relationships between stressors and individual characteristics would contribute to the improvement of adolescent patient care. The objective of the study was to obtain informations related to the adolescents psychological stress experience during hospitalization, specifically stress from interpersonal relationships and communication, isolation from the family, social or economic problems, illness and from the treatment environment and nursing care. An interview schedule adopted from Holmes and Rahe's Social Readjustment Rating Scale and selected items from Voicer's instrument on stress-producing events was used with 120 adolescent inpatients aged 13 to 18 years three general hospitals in Seoul during Aug. 10, to Sep. 30, 1975. 1. The sample consisted of 66 male and 54 female patients. Sixty-six percent were late adolescents, aged 16 to 18 years: 4% were early adolescents, aged 13 to 15 years. The primary cause for hospitalization was for orthopedic problems (35.8%). More than half of these (54.4%) were due to injury or accident. 2. Stress eclated to illness revealed the highest score (4.97), followed by stress related to treatment environment and nursing care (4.34) , isolation from family and social or economic problems (4.01) and interpersonal relationships and communication (3.96). 3. The perceived indifference of doctors and nurses was a serious cause of stress (mean=4.83). Fellow patients and visitors caused least stress (mean=2.06). 4. Discontinuation of education or unemployment were major stressful events (mean=4.71). Least stressful was isolation from the family (mean=3.47). 5. More than 94% of the respondents expressed fears related to body image (mean=4.97) 6. Within the category of treatment environment and nursing care, items related to restrictions because of treatment, discomfort because of treatment, inadequate explanation from nurses about procedures were rated as severe stress events (mean=4.6). Items related to the ward environment and to having a relative stay with them were seen by the group as less serious events (mean=3.7). 7. Stress related to interpersonal relationships and communication was correlated positively with female patients and those preferring passive activities. (P〈0.05) 8. Stress related to family problems was positively related to female and early adolescent patients (P< 0.05). Stress related to social problems was positively , elated to students and those preferring active pursuits (P< 0.05). 9. There were no correlation between the high stress related to disease and any of the characteristic items. (P> 0.05) 10. Stress related to treatment environment and nursing care was positively related of early adolescent and female and student patients. (P< 0.05) This group of hospitalized adolescents reported high level of stress related to treatment environment and nursing care, due to lack of consideration of normal growth and development and individual characteristics. The findings have important implications for the planning of effective, individualized, comprehensive nursing care of adolescents during hospitalization.

• The Korean Journal of Elementary Counseling
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• v.6 no.1
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• pp.217-245
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• 2007

This research work was aimed at assisting isolated children to adapt their school life having examined the process of their changes by reducing isolation level and isolative behavior through means of implementing group art therapy program. To accomplish this purpose of research, 36 participants were selected from children attending Class 6, 4th Grade of D Elementary School located in Dajeon Metropolitan City, to which researcher was served as homeroom teacher. And the participants were asked to complete a survey that included social and emotional isolation scale test which was designed by Heh Sung-hee(1993) and 4 children marked more than 96 points were designated as isolated children. The group art therapy program exercised in this research was the one that reorganized by research to suit the research purpose based on the precedent works, and survey was conducted total 12 times, two time a week, within 60 minutes per time, between 6 September and 24 October 2006, and researcher conducted group art therapy program directly at Class 6, 4th Grade of D Elementary School using extra hours after school. And following analyses were performed in relation to results therefrom: First, to analyze changes of isolation level of isolated children Quantitatively, the results from pre and post test concerning social and emotional isolation scale were comparatively analyzed. Second, to analyze changes of psychological state of isolated children, projective drawing tests were performed using Kinetic House-Tree-Person(K-HTP) Drawing and Kinetic School Drawing(KSD) and results therefrom were comparatively analyzed. Third, to analyze Quantitatively what changes have been occurred in the isolated children during the course of forming interrelationships with group members while participating in group art therapy, proceedings were summarized per each stage of the program and analyzed accordingly. Fourth, results from researcher's observation of what changes have been occurred in the isolative behavior of isolated children before and after implementation of group art therapy were compared accordingly. Followings are resulting conclusions. First, group art therapy program reduced isolation level of isolated children. Second, group art therapy program changed the isolated children's psychological state into a stable and positive fashion. Third, isolated children became able to experience positive interrelations as well as establishment of new human relationships with group members during the course of participating in the group art therapy program. Fourth, group art therapy program reduced isolative behaviors of the isolated children. Therefore, conclusions could have been reached that the group art therapy program implemented in this research reduced isolative behaviors of the isolated children, and changed their anxious and depressed mental state into stable and positive ones, also established positive interrelationships as well as new human relationships. And, it will be able to expect a greater effect if a program which has been associated with their family could be proceeded along with continuous guidance and teaching having developed objective test tools that will discern isolated children.

• Journal of Convergence for Information Technology
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• v.8 no.3
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• pp.33-38
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• 2018

Objective: To review the literature on development in the peer relationships of the adolescents within the context of their parents' divorce. Method: The cognitive and sociocultural literature was searched to analyze the social interactions of the adolescents of divorced parents. Results: The evidence supports the variations in adolescents' peer relations based on their family structure. Comparisons with the adolescents of the nuclear families and the step-families suggest certain types of interactions the adolescents of divorced parents experience. Conclusions: Divorce of the parents is associated with the difficulties their children at adolescent experience, such as the higher level of social isolation among their peers or their incompetence in social skills. For there is not much known about the integration into the world of peers of the adolescents from the divorced families, while their general psychological and cognitive development after the separation is often studied, future study will need to focus on their peer interactions at their school environment and the social treatment for the possible hardships in their peer relations.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.57 no.4
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• pp.356-369
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• 2024

Objectives: The objective of this study was to explore healthcare providers' experiences in managing the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic and its impact on healthcare services. Methods: A qualitative study was conducted with 34 healthcare professionals across 15 districts in Bangladesh. Among the participants, 24 were health managers or administrators stationed at the district or upazila (sub-district) level, and 10 were clinicians providing care to patients with COVID-19. The telephone interviews were conducted in Bangla, audio-recorded, transcribed, and then translated into English. Data were analyzed thematically. Results: Most interviewees identified a range of issues within the health system. These included unpreparedness, challenges in segregating COVID-19 patients, maintaining isolation and home quarantine, a scarcity of intensive care unit beds, and ensuring continuity of service for non-COVID-19 patients. The limited availability of personal protective equipment, a shortage of human resources, and logistical challenges, such as obtaining COVID-19 tests, were frequently cited as barriers to managing the pandemic. Additionally, changes in the behavior of health service seekers, particularly increased aggression, were reported. The primary motivating factor for healthcare providers was the willingness to continue providing health services, rather than financial incentives. Conclusions: The COVID-19 pandemic presented a unique set of challenges for health systems, while also providing valuable lessons in managing a public health crisis. To effectively address future health crises, it is crucial to resolve a myriad of issues within the health system, including the inequitable distribution of human resources and logistical challenges.

• Journal of People, Plants, and Environment
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• v.24 no.6
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• pp.563-572
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• 2021

Background and objective: The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic restricted daily life, forcing people to spend time indoors. With the growing interest in mental health issues and residential environments, 'pet plants' have been receiving attention during the unprecedented social distancing measures. This study aims to analyze the change in trends of pet plants before and during the COVID-19 pandemic and provide basic data for studies related to pet plants and directions of future development. Methods: A total of 2,016 news articles using the keyword 'pet plants' were collected on Naver News from January 1, 2018 to August 15, 2019 (609 articles) and January 1, 2020 to August 15, 2021 (1,407 articles). The texts were tokenized into words using KoNLPy package, ultimately coming up with 63,597 words. The analyses included frequency of keywords and topic modeling based on Latent Dirichlet Allocation (LDA) to identify the inherent meanings of related words and each topic. Results: Topic modeling generated three topics in each period (before and during the COVID-19), and the results showed that pet plants in daily life have become the object of 'emotional support' and 'healing' during social distancing. In particular, pet plants, which had been distributed as a solution to prevent solitary deaths and depression among seniors living alone, are now expanded to help resolve the social isolation of the general public suffering from COVID-19. The new term 'plant butler' became a new trend, and there was a change in the trend in which people shared their hobbies and information about pet plants and communicated with others in online. Conclusion: Based on these findings, the trend data of pet plants before and after the outbreak of COVID-19 can provide the basis for activating research on pet plants and setting the direction for development of related industries considering the continuous popularity and trend of indoor gardening and green hobby.