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It has become important for nurses to implement self-leadership and exercise critical thinking in problem-solving to address the health issues of patients. This has led to a need for nursing education programs in which nursing students learn to embrace self-leadership and self-evaluation approaches to develop their skills. Within 260 nursing undergraduates with experience in simulation practice as study subjects, a self-reporting survey was conducted on self-leadership, goal commitment, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills. An analysis was conducted using the SPSS/WIN 21.0 program. t-test and ANOVA were conducted to validate the difference between problem-solving abilities. Multiple regression was conducted to examine the impact of these variables on problem-solving skills. The variables of religion, satisfaction with major, goal commitment, and critical thinking were found to have a significant impact on problem-solving abilities. The results were as follows: critical thinking (β = 0.36, p < 0.05), goal commitment (β = 0.28, p < 0.05), and explanatory power of 41%. To improve the nursing undergraduates’ problem-solving abilities through simulation practice, there needs to be a method that supports them in setting goals with self-leadership and enhance goal commitment. The method also needs to support the development of their critical thinking and curiosity for questions deriving from experiencing diverse programs in order to deliver effective outcomes.

This study examined the determinants of perceived accessibility of maternity leave and childcare leave in South Korea. Although maternity leave and childcare leave are mandated in Korea, many employees are hesitant to use the policies. The purpose of this study was to empirically examine why some women are more likely than others to perceive the policies as inaccessible and to identify what those women’s characteristics are. The results revealed that nonregular workers were significantly less likely than regular workers with secure contracts to perceive the policies as accessible even though they were eligible for them. In addition, workers who worked in the private sector, did not belong to a labor union, worked in small firms, or worked long hours were significantly less likely to perceive the policies as accessible than those who worked in the public sector, belonged to a labor union, worked in large firms, or worked short hours. Further, workers with low salaries were significantly less likely than workers with high salaries to perceive the policies as accessible. The study underscores that accessibility of leave policies in Korea is significantly correlated with women’s employment status and wage level in the labor market.

This study aimed to develop an emerging infectious disease (COVID-19) simulation module for nursing students and verify its effectiveness.A one-group pretest-posttest quasi-experimental study was conducted with 78 under-graduate nursing students. A simulation module was developed based on the Jeffries simulation model. It consisted of pre-simulation lectures on disaster nursing including infectious disease pandemics, practice, and debriefings with serial tests. The scenarios contained pre-hospital settings, home visits, arrival to the emergency department, and follow-up home visits for rehabilitation.Disaster preparedness showed a statistically significant improvement, as did competencies in disaster nursing. Confidence in disaster nursing increased, as did willingness to participate in disaster response. However, critical thinking did not show significant differences between time points, and neither did triage scores.The developed simulation program targeting an infectious disease disaster positively impacts disaster preparedness, disaster nursing competency, and confidence in disaster nursing, among nursing students. Further studies are required to develop a high-fidelity module for nursing students and medical personnel. Based on the current pandemic, we suggest developing more scenarios with virtual reality simulations, as disaster simulation nursing education is required now more than ever.

Purpose: There has been a recent surge in interest in mental health and how to improve individuals’ health-related quality of life. Mental health management using mobile apps can be a useful intervention method. The development and application of verified and highly efficient apps for mental health and stress management are needed. We developed healing programs and verified their effectiveness based on apps designed to promote adult mental health. Methods: We conducted a one-group pretest-posttest study in which 85 participants used the app for 12 weeks. We assessed its effects on participants’ stress (perceived stress scale, effort–reward imbalance, and photoplethysmogram (PPG)), anxiety, depression, emotional labor, and well-being. Results: The stress survey results post-intervention increased or stayed the same, however, the PPG results decreased (p = 0.002) after using the app. Depression (p = 0.043) and anxiety (p = 0.003) also decreased, however, emotional labor and well-being remained unchanged. The awareness of, knowledge of, and attitude toward mental health management all increased post-intervention. Discussion: The developed mobile app was an efficient and highly accessible way to promote mental health. However, the app requires modification and supplementation for continual use. Additionally, ongoing research concerning the study, evaluation, and integration of mobile apps is required.

This study constructed and tested a structural equation model on clinical nurses' emotional labor, job satisfaction, and job performance based on Grandey's emotion regulation model.We performed a correlational study to predict the relationship between the following variables: emotional labor (surface and deep acting), job satisfaction, job performance, self-efficacy, emotional intelligence, display rules, job autonomy, social support, and job stress.Our hypothetical model was based on Grandey's emotional regulation model and on a literature review of emotional labor, job satisfaction, and job performance. Structured questionnaires were distributed to participants who worked in seven general hospitals with no less than 300 beds in a province, South Korea. We analyzed 424 questionnaires and used AMOS 23 to explore the relationships between the constructs.Our model fit the data well (χWe confirmed that display rules, emotional intelligence, job stress, self-efficacy, and job autonomy are important factors that could decrease nurses' emotional labor and increase their job satisfaction and performance. These findings support the development and application of various interventions to decrease emotional labor and increase job satisfaction and job performance among nurses.This study filled the need for an integrated structural equation model of emotional labor. With this model, we found that emotional labor operates differently in nursing practice than in other service fields. As such, this model can help hospital management to adjust their customer service guidelines to improve nurses' job satisfaction and performance.

Although health apps have been developed and utilized in many countries, there is no baseline study about what percentage of Korean workers use these types of health apps. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to describe the work-related stress, health status, and utilization of health apps of Korean adult workers. This descriptive study included 95 adults in South Korea. Demographic variables, work-related stress, health status, and utilization of health apps were obtained using an online self-reported survey. Descriptive analyses were used to explore prevalence of each variable. This study found that almost 65% of the participants fell into the higher work-related stress group. About 41.6% of the participants in this sample evaluated their general health status as fair to poor with 26.8% being overweight to obese and 11.6% having hypertension. However, only about 33.7% of the sample have used health apps. Therefore, utilization of health apps as health and stress management tools should be encouraged at a public health level.

The Effort Reward Imbalance tool is a measure of psychosocial work characteristics used to identify work-related stress. The purpose of this study was to assess the reliability and validity of the Korean version of the effort-reward imbalance–short form (ERI-SF) in industrial workers. The Korean version of ERI-SF was tested among 250 blue-collar workers. The reliability, content validity, and construct validity with confirmatory factor analysis, as well as interaction terms were analyzed. Reliability assessed by Cronbach’s alpha coefficients were satisfactory for all three subscales: effort 0.75, reward 0.74, and over-commitment 0.72. Confirmatory factor analysis showed an acceptable model fit with the three component theoretical structure (root mean square error of approximation = 0.07, comparative fit index = 0.84). Content validity was assessed with respect to a measure of perceived health. In addition, a significant synergistic interaction of ERI and over-commitment on job strain was found. In conclusion, the ERI-SF demonstrated good psychometric properties with Korean industrial workers. The ERI-SF is ideal for examining work-related stress in the workplace by occupational health professionals. This shorter version makes it easier to administer and score in the occupational health setting.

This study developed and evaluated a health management program based on the participant-centered concept of action research to reduce cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors among blue collar workers. Data from structured questionnaires completed by 32 workers in a small-to-medium sized workplace from September 2015 to October 2016 as well as participants&rsquo, anthropometrical (weight and waist) and biological (blood pressure, glucose, total cholesterol, triglyceride, high-density lipoprotein (HDL), and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol) data were analyzed using paired t-test and Fisher&rsquo, s exact test. To examine the longitudinal effect of the intervention, survival analysis and linear mixed model (LMM) were used. There was an improvement in participants&rsquo, self-regulation in maintaining health-promoting behaviors, body weight, blood pressure, and HDL cholesterol following the intervention. Furthermore, the effects of the health management program continued even after the program ended. These findings suggest that the health management program developed in this study could be effective in reducing CVD risk factors among workers in small-to-medium sized workplaces and should be applied to other small-to-medium sized workplaces to foster health-promoting behaviors.

Through a numerical analytical approach based on piezoelectric analysis and meta-modeling, this study investigated the effect of the component design of an accelerometer sensor on sensitivity and resonance frequency. The results of the study confirmed that the resonance frequency obtained from the piezoelectric analysis was almost the same as the experimental value of the resonance frequency obtained from the fabricated sensing module and proved the validity of the piezoelectric analysis using a finite element method. Moreover, the results of examining the influence of the component design on the resonance frequency and electrical potential suggested that the diameter and height of the head (seismic mass) had the greatest influence. As the diameter and height of the head increased, the sensitivity increased, but the resonance frequency decreased, which indicates that it is necessary to select an appropriate mass to optimize the sensor performance. In addition, the increase in tail height and epoxy thickness had a positive effect on both the resonance frequency and electric potential, and the base diameter had a negative effect on both of them.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of a yoga program provided to workers in small businesses to reduce cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors. A nonequivalent control group pre/post-test design was used. The experimental group (n = 31) was assigned a yoga program consisting of yoga postures designed for meditation, strengthening, stretching, and balancing, given twice weekly for 12 weeks. The control group (n = 38) was given no other intervention. The mean age was 48.1 years old in the experimental group and 47.7 years old in the control group. Three trained investigators collected the questionnaires and one month after completing the 12-week yoga program, the same questionnaires that were administered at baseline were again administered. Psychosocial variables (depressive symptoms and job stress), health promotion behaviors, and body measurements (weight and waist circumference) were measured for the program evaluation. The yoga program was effective in improving waist circumference (from 81.8 to 79.2, p &lt, 0.001) and diastolic blood pressure (from 81.0 to 79.1, p = 0.004) as compared to the control group. Furthermore, the experimental group&rsquo, s job stress score decreased from 1.38 to 1.02, but it was not statistically significant (p = 0.240). A yoga program could be a useful intervention for workers with CVD risk factors, but it was not effective in psychological factors such as job stress and depression. A long-term intervention approach is important to confirm the psychosocial effect. Therefore, future research is needed to investigate the long-term outcomes of such interventions.

This study examined the effect of lifestyle interventions on cardiovascular disease risk factors among workers. The study comprised a systematic review and meta-analysis of controlled trials. Relevant controlled trials were searched, with selections based on the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. Risk of bias was assessed using the Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network (SIGN). Of 1174 identified publications, one low-quality study was excluded. Finally, 10 were analyzed. The effect sizes were analyzed for heterogeneity, and random effect models (Hedge’s g) were used. A subgroup analysis was performed on the follow-up point of intervention (≤ 12 months vs. > 12 months). Publication bias was also analyzed. Interventions were effective for systolic (g = 0.66, 95% CI: 0.27-1.60) and diastolic blood pressure (g = 0.63, 95% CI: 0.21–1.06), and BMI (g = 0.71, 95% CI: 0.15-1.11). Interventions were ineffective for weight (g = 0.18, 95% CI: −0.04, 0.40) and LDL-cholesterol (g = 0.46, 95% CI: −0.02, 0.93). There was high heterogeneity between studies (I2 =78.45 to I2 = 94.61). There was no statistically significant publication bias, except for systolic blood pressure. Interventions to reduce risk of cardiovascular disease risk might be effective in improving physical outcomes, but additional high-quality trials are needed in the future.

Background: Depression is one of the psychiatric diseases with a high prevalence rate, globally, and reportedly more prevalent among women than among men. Especially, women workers working at traditional markets are in depressive conditions without occupational health services. The purpose of this study is to investigate factors having a significant effect on the depressive symptoms of women workers at traditional markets in South Korea. Methods: A cross-sectional study was used and subjects for the present study were 500 female workers in three selected representative traditional marketplaces in South Korea. Results: The results of hierarchical regression analysis indicated that increased BMI (β = 0.297, p = 0.017), poor nutritional status (β = 0.596, p < 0.001), street vendor status (β = 2.589, p = 0.001), job stress (β = 0.491, p < 0.001), lower back pain (β = 0.377, p = 0.011), lower self-efficacy (β = −0.368, p = 0.002) and diminished family function (β = −0.633, p = 0.001) affected workers’ depressive symptoms. The explanatory power of these variables was 38.5%. Conclusions: Based on these results, future research should focus on incorporating theses significant factors into effective interventions designed to decrease depressive symptoms in this population. Moreover, this study will increase interest in occupational health nursing, particularly in relation to vulnerable social groups, and expand the scope of practice in the field.

Internet addiction, especially its prevalence among adolescents and its predictors, has been the focus of much research. Few studies have investigated gender differences in the relationship between Internet addiction and psychological health among adolescents. The present study investigated gender differences in Internet addiction associated with self-rated health, subjective happiness, and depressive symptoms among Korean adolescents aged 12 to 18 years using a nationally representative dataset. Data from 56,086 students (28,712 boys and 27,374 girls) from 400 middle schools and 400 high schools were analyzed. We found that 2.8 % of the students (3.6 % boys and 1.9 % girls) were addicted users, and the prevalence of Internet addiction was higher in boys than in girls. In multiple logistic regression analysis, three psychological health indicators including poor self-rated health, subjective unhappiness, and depressive symptoms were significantly related with Internet addiction in boys and girls. Girls with emotional difficulties such as subjective unhappiness or depressive symptoms had much higher risks of Internet addiction than did boys with similar problems. Further attention should be given to developing Internet addiction prevention and intervention programs that are tailored to fit boys’ and girls’ different needs.

Improving mental healthcare using mobile apps might be an effective way to increase interest in mental health and respond to the demand for better psychological health. However, few studies have investigated the effectiveness of app-based stress-management programs. This study aimed to assess the efficacy of an app-based stress-management program. A non-equivalent comparison group pretest-posttest design was used. Participants were randomized into the experimental (n = 26) and control (n = 30) groups. The experimental group used an application developed for workers for four weeks. The results indicated that stress, emotional labor, self-efficacy, and well-being were significantly different in the experimental group, but the control group&rsquo, s average scores did not change significantly. On average, the Perceived Stress Scale scores decreased by 1.5 points (p = 0.035) and the Korean Occupational Stress Scale scores decreased by 0.87 points (p = 0.4). However, depression and anxiety were not significantly different. Emotional labor decreased by 0.16 points (p = 0.027), and well-being and self-efficacy mean scores increased by 0.492 (p = 0.005) and 0.162 (p = 0.025), respectively. These findings support the developed application&rsquo, s value for promoting mental health and healthy lifestyles. Further research and supplementation are needed for the application&rsquo, s sustainability.

Background Overweight and obesity in children with intellectual disabilities may be a major health threat. The purpose of this study was to examine the prevalence of overweight and obesity in Korean children with intellectual disabilities aged 7–18 years who did not have specific genetic syndromes or physical disabilities. Materials and methods Participants were 2,404 children with intellectual disabilities aged 7–18 years attending thirteen special schools in Korea. Data from school health records were analysed using SAS (version 9.2). The differences between boys and girls were assessed for children’s height and weight using t-tests and for children’s age and weight status, such as using Chi-Square (χ2) test. The relationships between children’s weight status, age and gender were reassessed using Chi-Square (χ2) test, and strengths of the relationships were measured using Gamma coefficient. Results Approximately one-quarter of children with intellectual disabilities were either overweight or obese. Children’s gender was significantly associated with their weight status, such that overweight and obesity were more prevalent in girls than in boys, specifically girls aged 15–18 years. There was a positive relationship between age and the prevalence of overweight and obesity in children for both boys and girls. Conclusions The high rates of overweight and obesity in children with intellectual disabilities highlight the need for interventions to help children achieve healthy weight. Before conducting weight management interventions, identifying risk factors that influence weight status in children with intellectual disabilities is an important step.

Palliative care is an important element of holistic care but has received little attention in cardiac disease patients. The purpose of the paper is (a) to investigate nurses' knowledge of palliative care, attitudes toward care of the dying, coping with death, and preparedness to practice palliative care for those with heart failure, and (b) to evaluate influencing factors on preparedness to practice on palliative care.A cross-sectional descriptive design employed a structured questionnaire that tested nurses' knowledge, attitude, coping, and preparedness to practice on palliative care for patients with heart failure. Ninety nurses in two tertiary university hospitals in South Korea participated in the survey. Data were analyzed with descriptive statistics, correlation, and multiple regression.Results showed low levels of knowledge reported (an average of 48.3% correct answers), attitude (134.8±110.1), coping (117.2±24.3), and preparedness to practice (17.3±4.7) relating to palliative care. The extent of knowledge was related to both attitudes and coping. These attitudes and coping skills were related to preparedness to practice. The multiple regression analysis showed that preparedness to practice was explained by coping and attitude (R (2) =0.46, F=6.1, p0.001).Palliative care training is urgently needed to improve knowledge, attitude, coping, and preparedness to practice. Guidance to assist healthcare professionals involved in palliative care for those with cardiac disease needs to be developed and provided.

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is a leading cause of mortality. Numerous investigations have linked occupational factors and CVD. Occupational factors such as overtime work have an enormous effect on the CVD risk of industrial workers. However, risk factors for CVD are not systematically reviewed in the workplace. The purpose of the paper is to review work-related risk factors for CVD.A systematic review of work-related CVD risk factors was performed, yielding 180 articles. All articles were assessed in relation to inclusion and exclusion criteria, resulting in 44 articles being reviewed. The sole inclusion criteria was work-related environmental factors and intra/inter-personal factors (psychosocial factors), which is based on the socioecological perspective. The articles were also assessed regarding the quality of each study using the scoring methods developed by Cesario et al. and Brown et al.The literature review demonstrated that work environment factors such as shift work, overtime work, and noise and chemical exposures; and psychosocial factors such as job stress, social support, and socioeconomic status cannot be explained or intervened by one single risk factor. Furthermore, certain occupational factors were shown to aggravate or attenuate other risk factors. The implication of these findings is to incorporate work-related environmental and psychosocial factors into assessment of the patient's CVD risks and intervention plan. Future research should also incorporate a well-defined conceptual framework to address the effects of work-related environmental and psychosocial factors on CVD among CVD patients.