kunsook bernstein

Koreans are a relatively new and fast-growing immigrant group in the United States. Research has shown that immigration experiences are associated with depression, whereas acculturation and social support are moderating factors. Korean culture is informed by Confucianism, which emphasizes family integrity, group conformity, and traditional gender roles, and has influenced how Korean immigrants conceptualize depression, express depressive symptoms, and demonstrate help-seeking behavior. An understanding of Korean patterns of manifesting and expressing depression will be helpful to provide culturally appropriate mental health services to Korean American immigrants.

Purpose: The purposes of this study were to explore nurse` bullying experiences according to demographic characteristics and to identify effects of workplace bullying and job stress on turnover intention in hospital nurses. Methods: One hundred sixty-one graduate students working as nurses were recruited. The collected data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, t-test, ANOVA, Pearson correlation coefficient, and Stepwise multiple regression with PASW 18.0. Results: Results show that 23.0% of the nurses interviewed had experienced bullying in the workplace within the last six months and 19.4% had been bullied during the entire employment period. Bullying perpetrators included nurses (52.9%), physicians (23.0%), and patients (17.8%). Bully nurses consisted of senior nurses (63.0%), managers or supervisors (29.6%), colleagues (3.7%), and junior nurses (3.7%). Job turnover intention in hospital nurses was significantly correlated with workplace bullying (r=.20, p=.012) and job str...

Synthetic marijuana use has increased significantly since 2008 among young adults in the United States, as have adverse reactions to it, leading to a dramatic increase in emergency department visits. However, much of the research conducted on it has been case studies, which report detrimental symptoms on an individual basis. Only a limited number of studies aim to better understand the larger parameters of this epidemic to assist health care providers and policy makers, including early detection, intervention, and adequate treatment. In addition, there has been limited critical review of this substance to help health care professionals educate the public about the negative health effects of using this drug. This article explores the critical reviews of synthetic marijuana, also commonly known as "K2" and "Spice," synthesizing information from literature reviews, case studies, media information, and government websites. Findings were organized by synthetic marijua...

Bullying in the nursing workplace can result in serious health-related outcomes for both nurses and patients who are under their care as well as the health care organizations. Bullying can erode the victim's professional competence and reputation and challenge the victim to maintain and improve professional identity. Although bullying can occur among co-workers, the most common form of bullying involves the abuse of power by superiors against subordinates. Persistent negative behaviors of a perpetrator indicates repeated negative behaviors of at least once or twice weekly by the perpetrator targeting the victim over period of time of at least 6 months and as long as 12 months. Building a conceptual framework of bullying specific to the nursing workplace is warranted to better understand bullying dynamics and its consequences while developing strategies to change the health care environment to a safer workplace for nurses.

Summary: This study investigated the prevalence of depressive symptoms among Korean Americans (KAs) and its association with depression literacy and their socio-demographic characteristics. Overall, there was a high prevalence of depression among the KAs, and English proficiency and depression literacy were found to be closely related to depressive symptoms among KAs. Content Outline: Depression is considered to be one of the most frequent mental disorders in the US population (Baumeister & Harter, 2007), and depression literacy is a specific type that varies among populations. Especially many Asian Americans (AAs) who view depressive symptoms as a sign of weakness or lack of discipline and willpower (Leong & Lau, 2001); they tend not to accept the medical model of depression (Karasz, 2005). This study investigated the prevalence of depressive symptoms among Korean Americans (KAs) and its association with depression literacy and their socio-demographic characteristics. A sample of c...

Low health literacy is closely related to a higher rate of hospitalization and of emergency services usage, leading to billions of dollars in avoidable health care costs and contributing to individuals’ poor physical and mental health. While Korean Americans (KAs) have a high prevalence of general health and mental health problems, relatively little is known about their health and mental health literacy, specifically their depression literacy. This study aims to evaluate KAs’ health literacy and depression literacy, as related to sociodemographic characteristics. An exploratory study was conducted with 681 community-residing adult KAs using the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression (CES-D) Scale, the Depression Literacy Questionnaire (D-Lit), and the One-Question Health Literacy Scale. Data analyses were performed using one-way analysis of variance and ordinal logistic regression of health literacy, a multiple linear regression model of depression literacy. Findings indicate a...

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to examine the effectiveness of forgiveness therapy for wives of alcoholics in South Korea suffering from emotional abuse by their spouses.Methods: Non-randomized quasi-experimental research was conducted with 2-hour weekly forgiveness therapy sessions for 12 weeks, and pre-test, post-test, and a 12-week follow-up test. A total number of 28 subjects were divided into two groups: 15 in the experimental group and 13 in the control group. The data were analyzed by descriptive statistics, t-test, χ2 test, and repeated measure ANOVA, using SPSS 20.0.Results: The experimental group showed a significantly higher score on the forgiveness scale than did the control group (t = 0.312, p < .010) and the 12-week follow-up test (F = 4.43, p = .039). In the subcategories of the forgiveness scale, affect and cognition scores were significantly increased but there was no significant change on the behavior score.Conclusions: These findings suggest that forgiv...

This study extends Bernstein et al.'s (2016) investigation of the effects of the Enhanced Logo-autobiography Program on Korean-American women's depressive symptoms, coping strategies, purpose in life, and posttraumatic growth by analyzing quantitative and qualitative data. This study's participants significantly improved on quantitative measures of depression, coping strategies, purpose in life, and post-traumatic growth at eight weeks post-intervention and follow-up. The qualitative content analysis revealed 17 themes with five essential themes. The program's activity to promote purpose in life through posttraumatic growth facilitated participants' recovery from traumatic experiences. Standardized guidelines are needed to conduct this program in Korean community centers.

This study investigates socio-demographic characteristics and resilience and depressive symptoms among Korean Americans (KAs) with traumatic life experiences. Community-residing 285 KAs living in New York City and Teaneck, New Jersey completed questionnaires measuring traumatic life experiences, depressive symptoms, and resilience. Descriptive statistics, Pearson's correlations, and two-step hierarchical multiple regression analyses were conducted. 54% of KAs with traumatic life experiences reported at least mild depressive symptoms; greater resilience was associated with fewer such symptoms. English proficiency, length of time in US, marital status, and employment were significant predictors for depressive symptoms in the first step of multiple regression, but when resilience was introduced in the second step, it was the only significant predictor of depressive symptoms. The findings suggest that resilience should be supported to promote positive mental health outcomes for traumatized KAs who are depressed, and that resilience-focused interventions for this population should be designed.

Korean Americans are known for a high smoking prevalence within the Asian American population. This study examined the effects of acculturation and depression on Korean Americans' smoking cessation and abstinence. This is a secondary data analysis of a smoking cessation study that implemented eight weekly individualized counseling sessions of a culturally adapted cessation intervention for the treatment arm and a standard cognitive behavioral therapy for the comparison arm. Both arms also received nicotine patches for 8 weeks. A newly developed non-parametric trajectory pattern recognition model (MI-Fuzzy) was used to identify cognitive and behavioral response patterns to a smoking cessation intervention among 97 Korean American smokers (81 men and 16 women). Three distinctive response patterns were revealed: (a) Culturally Adapted (CA), since all identified members received the culturally adapted intervention; (b) More Bicultural (MB), for having higher scores of bicultural acc...

This study examined socio-demographic and psychological correlates of posttraumatic growth (PTG) among Korean Americans (KAs) with traumatic life experiences. A total of 286 KAs were included. Being a woman or having a lower annual household income had positive associations with PTG, while having no religion had a negative association with it. In addition, praying and visiting a mental health professional for coping with stress or for psychological problems was positively associated with PTG. Higher resilience scores increased PTG, while depressive symptoms decreased it. We suggest reinforcing help seeking behaviors and accessibility to care facilities, and gender specific strengthening programs for enhancing PTG among KAs.

Korean women are reluctant to pursue in-person smoking cessation treatment due to stigma attached to women smokers and prefer treatment such as telephone and online smoking cessation programs that they can access secretively at home. However, there is some evidence that face-to-face interaction is the most helpful intervention component for them to quit smoking. This study is a pilot clinical trial that examined the acceptability and feasibility of a videoconferencing smoking cessation intervention for Korean American women and compared its preliminary efficacy with a telephone-based intervention. Women of Korean ethnicity were recruited nationwide in the United States and randomly assigned at a ratio of 1:1 to either a video arm or a telephone arm. Both arms received eight 30-minute weekly individualized counseling sessions of a deep cultural smoking cessation intervention and nicotine patches for 8 weeks. Participants were followed over 3 months from the quit day. The videoconfere...

Asian American women are more prone to suffer from depression compared to their non-Asian American counterparts and have lower rates of seeking mental healthcare services due to lack of available culturally appropriate therapies. Two prior studies of a culturally tailored therapeutic intervention called LogoAutobiography were helpful in treating depressed Korean American women. The LogoAutobiography program was revised to enhance its efficacy not only for depressive symptoms and purpose in life but also to increase coping strategies. To test the efficacy of the Enhanced LogoAutobiography program on depressive symptoms, purpose in life, and coping strategies of depressed community-dwelling Korean American women. Two-group, non-randomized quasi-experimental design. Local Korean community areas located in New York City and eastern New Jersey of the United States. A total of 54 depressed women with Korean heritage completed either experimental group (n1=25) or control group (n2=29). Sample inclusion criteria were adult women with Korean heritage, depressive symptoms as measured by a CES-D score 16 or higher, fluent Korean language, and able to participate independently. Sample exclusion criteria were those who presented active suicidal ideation and history of episodes of mania or psychosis screened by the psychosocial survey questionnaire. The experimental group received Enhanced Logo-Autobiography program which was guided by a facilitator who used a manualized intervention for 90minute sessions over 8weeks; the control group attended routine weekly community activities. Data were collected during the first session (pretest), the end of 8weeks (posttest), and the 3months follow-up session. Time and group changes in depressive symptoms, purpose in life, and coping strategies were computed using Repeated Measures General Linear Model (RMGLM). Findings suggested that the experimental group showed greater improvement in depressive symptoms (F=6.94 (2, 88), p<0.01), active cognitive coping (F=5.07 (2, 86), p<0.01), and avoidance coping strategies (F=3.48 (2, 86), p<0.05) compared to the control group during the three time intervals. Purpose in life showed statistically significant Time and Group effects (F=5.18 (2, 88),…

Bullying in the nursing workplace can result in serious health-related outcomes for both nurses and patients who are under their care as well as the health care organizations. Bullying can erode the victim's professional competence and reputation and challenge the victim to maintain and improve professional identity. Although bullying can occur among co-workers, the most common form of bullying involves the abuse of power by superiors against subordinates. Persistent negative behaviors of a perpetrator indicates repeated negative behaviors of at least once or twice weekly by the perpetrator targeting the victim over period of time of at least 6 months and as long as 12 months. Building a conceptual framework of bullying specific to the nursing workplace is warranted to better understand bullying dynamics and its consequences while developing strategies to change the health care environment to a safer workplace for nurses.

Patients with co-morbid psychiatric disorders exhibiting violent and aggressive behaviors can be a challenge for nurses in medical-surgical units. They can deliver effective, safe care by assessing risk and building a rapport with the patient during the admission process; utilizing crisis prevention strategies, including appropriate medication administration, environmental, psychobiological, counseling, and health teaching interventions; and employing conflict resolution technique. Utilizing the nursing process, the nurse can provide effective therapeutic interventions to promote safety for both the patient and the nurse.

This study identifies the associations between socio-demographic characteristics and help seeking behaviors for depressive symptoms among adult Korean Americans (KAs). Using survey data from 230 residents of the New York City, Teaneck, New Jersey, and Philadelphia areas, simple and multiple logistic regression analyses were performed to assess the association between depressive symptoms and the covariates. Women were at much lower risk of depressive symptoms than were men, even after adjusting other covariates (OR 0.45, 95 % CI 0.21-0.96). Having no health insurance (OR 4.02, 95 % CI 1.28-12.61) and having experience in seeking professional help for mental health problems during the last year were significantly associated with depressive symptoms (OR 2.96, 95 % CI 1.29-6.80). The findings suggest more attention to the risk of depression of KA men and further efforts on understanding the unique contribution of socio-demographic factors and health-related behaviors on depressive symptoms among KAs.

This study aimed to explore the effectiveness of logo-autobiography (LA) as a therapeutic modality for Korean immigrant women suffering from depression and perceiving their lives as meaningless. A nonrandomized quasi-experimental study was conducted with pretest, posttest, and a 4-week follow-up test. Forty subjects--20 with antidepressants and 20 without--were divided quarterly and assigned to the experimental group and the control group. The experimental group reported a significant lower score on depressive symptoms (F = 6.832, p = .013; F = 19.800, p ≤ .001) and a higher score on meaning of life (F = 12.294, p = .001; F = 12.232, p = .001) than did the control group immediately after completing the LA and a 4-week follow-up. The LA was more effective for the subjects in the nonmedication group than in the medication group. In conclusion, LA is effective in reducing depressive symptoms and increasing a sense of meaning in life among Korean immigrant women suffering from depression.

Major depressive disorder is a psychiatric disorder that encompasses a broad range of emotional, psychological, behavioral, and physical symptoms (Fava et al., 2004). The nurse in the hospital, office, school, or community setting can provide the essential elements of effective care for depression, including early detection by screening, medication teaching, depression education, teaching coping skills, and appropriate use of specialists and resources. Utilizing the nursing process, the nurse can provide comprehensive care to improve the depressed patient's physical and psychological well-being.

Korean immigrants' perception and understanding of mental health and illness were surveyed during four monthly mental health seminars in New York City. In all, 86 Korean immigrants attended the seminars and 34 completed the survey. The seminar participants were primarily financially stable Korean women who were married, educated, and had lived in America more than 10 years. All seminar leaders were Korean immigrants who were working in the mental health field and/or educational setting. Most of the participants acknowledged the need for mental health services but did not seek professional help and coped with the stressors of immigrant life by endurance, patience, and religion. Feedback from seminar leaders noted the following: (a) greater seminar attendance than anticipated, (b) participants' openness to their mental illness issues, (c) need for tailored mental health program for Koreans. Findings support an understanding of the Korean immigrants' mental health issues as complex, chronic, and serious.

The current study used secondary data analysis to examine mediating and moderating effects of depression literacy on the relationship between depression stigma and attitude toward use of mental health care services in Korean American parents. Of 141 survey respondents, 36 (25.2%) were fathers and 105 (74.8%) were mothers. In mediation analysis, the indirect effects of personal stigma (B = -0.14, p < 0.05) and total stigma (B = -0.09, p < 0.05) were statistically significant. The moderating eff ect of depression literacy on the relationship between personal stigma and attitudes was also significant (B = -0.06, p < 0.05). The current study found that only the relationship between personal stigma and attitude toward mental health care service use was mediated by depression literacy. [Journal of Psychosocial Nursing and Mental Health Services, xx(x), xx-xx.].