Search

Purpose: The aim of this study was to evaluate the validity and reliability of the short-version for clinical nurses on a communication competence scale developed to measure the communication competence of clinical nurses. Methods: Data were collected from 396 clinical nurses who work at general hospitals in Korea. The original version of the Communication Ability Scale was shorted and content, construct, item-convergent/discriminant, convergent validity and also internal consistency and test-retest reliability were evaluated. Data were analyzed using exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses, Pearsons's correlation coefficient and Cronbach's α. Results: As a result of item analysis and exploratory factor analysis, 5 subscales and a total of 20 items were derived. The confirmatory factor analysis showed adequate model fit indices (Normed, χ²=1.88, RMR=.04, RMSEA=.07, GFI=.87, CFI=.90, TLI=.87, IFI=.89). The items convergence and discrimination validity were verified using the Average Variance Extracted (.50~.56), composite reliability (.76~.86) and 0 ±2SE (.42~.99). Convergent validity was demonstrated using Korean Version of Self-Efficacy Questionnaire (r=.59, p<.001). Internal consistency reliability and test-retest reliability were found to be acceptable, as indicated by a Cronbach's α of .65~.79 and an intra-class correlation coefficient of .82~.90. The validity and reliability of the scale were verified. Conclusion: The NACCS is a valid and reliable instrument for measuring communication competence for clinical nurses in Korea. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of a positive psychology-based mental health promotion program for high school students. Methods: This study used a randomized control group pretest-posttest design. A total of 47 high school students participated from two high schools in Gyeonggi Province. They were randomly assigned to an experimental group (n=24), which participated in the 8-session program, or to a control group (n=23). Psychological well-being, depression, and self-esteem were measured. Results: A significant difference in psychological well-being was observed between the two groups after the program. However, there were no significant between-group differences in depression or self-esteem. Conclusion: The positive psychology-based mental program was effective at increasing psychological well-being in adolescents, especially high school students. This study suggests that a school curriculum could incorporate positive psychology-based mental programs for high school students to promote their mental health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to identify the impact of cigarette smoking and alcohol consumption on the incidence of colon cancer in adults with metabolic syndrome. Methods: This study employed a longitudinal study design and utilized secondary data drawn from the Korean Genome and Epidemiology Study (KoGES). The data of a sample of 2,327 adults with metabolic syndrome tracked every two years from 2001 to 2014 were used in this study. Statistical data analyses of the frequency, number of cases per 100,000 person-years, log-rank test, Kaplan-Meier curve, and Cox's proportional hazards regression were performed using IBM SPSS statistics version 24. Results: During the observation period, the number of colon cancer cases was 46, and the total person-years were 252,444. The incidence of colon cancer was higher in current, over 10 pack-year smokers when compared to non-smokers (hazard ratio=3.38, 95% confidence interval=1.09~8.42). Conclusion: Excessive and longterm smoking should be avoided to prevent colon cancer, especially in adults with metabolic syndrome, since it might exacerbate the risk factors of colon cancer. Particularly, health professionals need to provide individualized smoking cessation interventions to those at high risk of colon cancer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to assess the awareness of warning signs of stroke and identify the risk factors influencing such awareness among diabetics with hypertension who are at a high risk for stroke. Methods: Data from the 2017 Korea Community Health Survey were used. A total of 15,536 adults older than 30 years diagnosed with hypertension and diabetes mellitus were included in the final analysis. Data were analyzed using frequency, percentage, χ² test, and logistic regression with SPSS/WIN 24.0 program. Results: Among the five warning signs of stroke, "sudden trouble in speaking or understanding" (79.0%) was the most commonly identified one and "sudden severe headache with an unknown cause" (65.2%) was the least. Only 48.8% participants identified all five warning signs and 11.8% could not identify any of them. In the logistic regression model, the risk of unawareness of warning signs of stroke was significantly higher among those aged 30~49 years and 70 years or older, with a lower educational level, without a spouse, and with a heavy alcohol consumption and current smoking status. Conclusion: The level of awareness of warning signs was low in hypertensive diabetic adults. To improve awareness of warning signs of stroke, a customized educational program should be provided to hypertensive diabetic adults considering the risk factors relevant to unawareness of warning signs of stroke. The education on warning signs of stroke can potentially lead to a reduction in morbidity in the survivors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The aims of this study are to provide a theoretical framework for improving the self-care of adults with severe hypertension and to examine the practical suitability of a middle-range theory of self-care for chronic illness by validating the structural model. Methods: Data were collected at a university hospital in D metropolitan city from July 1 to August 14, 2015. A total of 224 Korean adult patients with severe hypertension were recruited. Data were analyzed using SPSS 22.0 and AMOS 22.0. Results: The results show that the fit index of the hypothetical model meets the recommended level; 7 out of 8 hypothetical model paths were statistically significant. Motivation, self-efficacy, support from others, and accessibility to care showed statistical significance and explained 67.3% of the self-care process. The self-care process explained 45.3%, 63.6%, and 26.5% of quality of life, health, and illness stability, respectively. Conclusion: This model can be used as a theoretical framework for improving self-care among adult Korean patients with severe hypertension. Moreover, the practical suitability and validity of the middle-range theory of self-care for chronic illness is secured. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to develop and establish the psychometric properties of a clinical nursing competency evaluation tool to be utilized by clinical preceptors. Methods: The initial items were identified through in-depth literature review and field interviews based on a hybrid model. Content validation of the items was evaluated through three rounds of content validity testing. Participants were 34 clinical preceptors and 443 nursing students participating in clinical practice. Data were analyzed using exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis, convergence and discriminant validity, internal consistency and inter-rater reliability. Results: The final scale consisted of 23 items and four factors, fundamental nursing skills performance, critical thinking skills based on the nursing process, basic nursing knowledge, and professional attitude; these factor explained 69.7% of the total variance. The analysis with multi-trait/multi-item matrix correlation coefficients yielded 100.0% and 95.7 % convergence and discriminant validity, respectively. Cronbach's alpha for the total items was .95. The four subscale model tested by confirmatory factor analysis was satisfactory. Inter-rater reliability ranged from .912 to .967. Conclusion: This scale was found to be a reliable and valid instrument that clinical preceptors can apply for evaluating the clinical nursing competency of nursing students in clinical settings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]