Korea

Histone deacetylases (HDACs) are pivotal enzymes in the epigenetic modification or regulatory mechanisms of gene transcription. Based on previous assertions that the pathophysiology of schizophrenia is associated with epigenetics, we hypothesized that polymorphisms of HDAC genes might be related to schizophrenia. We recruited 278 patients with schizophrenia and 234 normal controls from a Korean population.

OBJECTIVES: Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) has been considered a risk factor for suicidal behavior in adult populations. BDNF secretion is influenced by epigenetic (DNA promoter methylation) and genetic (val66met polymorphism) profiles. We investigated the independent and interactive effects of BDNF methylation status and val66met polymorphisms on late-life suicidal ideation. METHODS: In total, 732 Korean community residents aged 65+ years were evaluated; of 639 without suicidal ideation, 579 (90.6%) were followed up 2 years later.

Authors of previous studies have shown that men tend to be more romantic than women and that men and women differ in the qualities they value in potential marriage partners. That research has tended to focus on Americans. In this study the hypotheses that men are more romantic than women and that men and women differ in the qualities they value in potential marriage partners were tested with Korean college students as subjects. The results suggest that men are more romantic than women and that women and men differ in their mate selection criteria.

AIM: The aim of this study was to examine the emotional and physical health and experiences of daughter-in-law (DIL) caregivers compared with daughter caregivers who care for cognitively and/or functionally impaired older people in Korea. BACKGROUND: In Korea, DILs are the predominant caregivers of impaired older people, but little is known about DIL caregivers. A study which explores the emotional and physical health outcomes of DIL caregivers who care for impaired parents-in-law in the sociocultural context of Korea is necessary.

Studies about hope, a major contributing factor to recovery, are relatively rare in mental health literature. This qualitative study was conducted to explore the nature of hope in 25 Koreans with schizophrenia (16 men and 9 women). Participants were asked to respond to three questions about hope: What does hope mean to you? What do you hope for? Where does hope come from for you? Hope in people with schizophrenia is similar to hope in people without schizophrenia; hope comes from loving and being loved in interpersonal relationships.

A culture promoting a strong desire for romantic relationships can greatly influence feelings of romantic loneliness and of closeness. In this study, the authors hypothesized that when not in a romantic relationship, U.S. young adults experience greater degrees of romantic loneliness because of a high desire for romantic relationships, compared with Korean young adults. The authors also predicted that when in a romantic relationship, U.S. young adults experience greater closeness to their romantic partner than do Korean young adults. Results revealed that in a sample of 227 U.S.

The purpose of this study was to develop a scale assessing the spiritual needs of Korean patients with cancer. For the scale development, qualitative interviews and theoretical analyses were conducted to extract measurable constructs within the Korean culture. As a result, 26 items were developed for the validation of a scale. The scale was administered to 257 cancer patients; the reliability and validity of the scale were examined using Cronbach's alpha and factor analysis, respectively. The reliability was 0.92.

The purpose of this study was to investigate client's satisfaction and to promote the image of medical services in the hospital. It is important to identify how client is satisfy with the medical services for the image of hospital. The study was done on population group of 334 patients and their families who had been admitted to the hospital in Seoul from July 15 to July 31, 1995. Data was collected by questionnaires on all steps of the research. Subjects were instructed to rate the 5 point likert type scale on items. 328 questionnaires returned and were used for this analysis.

The purpose of this study was to investigate client's satisfaction and to promote the image of medical services in the hospital. It is important to identify how client is satisfy with the medical services for the image of hospital. The study was done on population group of 334 patients and their families who had been admitted to the hospital in Seoul from July 15 to July 31, 1995. Data was collected by questionnaires on all steps of the research. Subjects were instructed to rate the 5 point likert type scale on items. 328 questionnaires returned and were used for this analysis.