A Study on Concepts of Health in Older Korean Women - Q Methodological Approach -

한국 여성노인의 건강개념에 관한 탐색

  • 심형화 (부산가톨릭대학교 간호학과)
  • Received : 2009.06.16
  • Accepted : 2009.08.15
  • Published : 2010.02.28

Abstract

Purpose: This paper is a basic study done to establish a theory of health according to Korean culture. The focus is on identifying perceived concepts of health in older Korean women. Method: The Q-method, which is effective in measuring individual subjectivity, was used in this study. Results: Perception of the concept of health was found to have 4 independent types, as follows. 1. Type I : natural & couple-oriented type. Women with this type not only have a naturalistic view of health but also put weight on being couple-centered. 2. Type II: oriental & children-oriented type. These women have traditional oriental views of the world, and are strongly dependent on their children. 3. Type III: western & altruistic type. These women do not agree with oriental concepts of health. They are positive altruists, pursuing the meaning of life. 4. Type IV: modern & self-oriented type. Women with this type not only interpret the concepts of health within western medicine, but also positively accept oriental views of the world. Conclusions: Health concepts of older Korean women are complicated, not only with western-medical concepts of health, but also more strongly complicated with concepts from oriental medicine.

Keywords

References

  1. Brown, S. R. (1980). Political subjectivity: Applications of Q methodology in political science. New Haven, CT: Yale University Press.
  2. Chae, S. O., Kim, H. J., Park, Y. S., & Woo, S. H. (2001). The relationship between perceived health status, health conception and health promoting behavior in the elderly. Journal of Korea Community Health Nursing Academic Society, 15(2), 262-274.
  3. Chang, S. O., Lee, S. J., Park, E. S., & Park, Y. J. (1999). A prediction model for health promoting behavior of the Korean elderly. Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing, 29(2), 281-292. https://doi.org/10.4040/jkan.1999.29.2.281
  4. Cho, S. N. (1999). The family support and health of the elderly. Health and Social Science, 5, 31-76.
  5. Choi, H. K., & Paik, J. E. (2005). Successful aging according to korean elderly: the definition, types, and predicting variables. Journal of Korean Home Management Association, 23(3), 1-16.
  6. Choi, Y. H. (1999). Health of elderly women. Database on 1999 Scholarship Symposium. Research Institute of Nursing Science, College of Nursing, Ewha Womans University.
  7. Chun, Y. J., Kim. H. J., Kim. S. I., Kim. S. J., Lee, P. S., Park, E. S., et al. (1998). A study of factors influencing health promoting behavior and quality of life in the elderly. Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing, 28(3), 638-649. https://doi.org/10.4040/jkan.1998.28.3.638
  8. Chung, K. H., Han, K. H., Kim, J. S., & Lim, J. G. (2006). Critical approaches to successful aging discourse. Korea Institute for Health and Social Affairs.
  9. Chung, S. D. (2007). A comparative study on the successful aging for Korean elderly women and elderly men. Journal of the Korean Gerontological Society, 27(4), 829-845.
  10. Eun, Y., Ko, S. H., Kim, M. J., Kim, S. H., Kim, Y. S., Kim, J. S., et al. (2007). Introduction to advanced gerontological nursing. Seoul: Hyunmoon Press.
  11. Han, G, H. (2000). New culture of old generation and successful aging. Database on Spring Scholarship Convention, Korean Family Studies Association.
  12. Holstein, M. B., & Minkler, M. (2003). Self, society, and the new gerontology. The Gerontologist, 43(6), 787-796. https://doi.org/10.1093/geront/43.6.787
  13. Jang, H. S. (2007). The way of successful aging- Concept and strategies. Database on 2007 Korean Psychological Association Symposium.
  14. Kim, I. W. (1994). A study on the cultural foundation of Korean education. Seoul: Moon-umsa.
  15. Kim, J. S., Kwon, J. D., Lim, J. G., Oh, Y. H., Park, Y. R., & Seok, J. E. (2005). Old person's quality of life and policy implication- focus of the elderly living alone, elderly women, and elderly in rural area. Korea Institute for Health and Social Affairs.
  16. Kim, K,, & Won, H. T. (1972). Traditional concept and folk treatment of mental illness among the rural peoples. The Korean Journal of Neuropsychiatric Association, 11(2), 85-98.
  17. Kim, S. E. (2007). Q method & sociology. Pusan: Goldwell Publishing Inc.
  18. Kim, S. H. (1993). A study of relationship life satisfaction and health promoting behavior of the elderly. Unpublished master's thesis, Korea University, Seoul.
  19. Korea Gallup. (2008, December). Koreans view 2009. Retrieved December 29. 2008, Korea Gallup Web site: http://www. gallup.co.kr
  20. Laffrey, S. C. (1990). An exploration of adult health behaviors. Western Journal of Nursing Research, 12(40), 434-447. https://doi.org/10.1177/019394599001200402
  21. Lee, Y. H. (1995). An ethnographic study of health behavior in the urban, poor elderly. Journal of Korean Academy of Adult Nursing, 7(2), 141-165.
  22. Leininger, M. M. (1993). Culture care theory: the comparative global theory to advance human care nursing knowledge and practice. in D. A. Gaut (Ed.). A Global agenda for caring (pp. 3-18). New York: National League for Nursing Press.
  23. Loustaunau, M. O., & Sobo, E. J. (2002). The cultural context of health, illness, and medicine (J. S. Kim, Trans.). Seoul: Hanul Publishing Company. (Original work published 1997)
  24. Moon, S. S., & Nam, J. J. (2001). Health status of elderly in Korea: Focus on physical health and disability of elderly women. Journal of the Korea Gerontological Society, 21(1), 15-29.
  25. Nettleton, S. (2001). The sociology of health and illness (H. J. Cho, Trans.). Seoul: Hanul Publishing Company. (Original work published 1997)
  26. Park, J. S. (1996). A survey for the construction of nursing theory according to Korean culture- About concepts of health and illness, and health behavior. Journal of Korean Academy of Adult Nursing, 8(2), 375-393.
  27. Shim, H. W., & Park, J. H. (1999). A survey on perception and attitude of patients and their families to the Korean shamanism. Journal of Korean Academy of Fundamentals of Nursing. 6(2), 288-309.
  28. Steele, J. L., & McBroom, W. H. (1972). Conceptual and empirical dimensions of health behavior. Journal of Health and Social Behavior, 13, 382-392. https://doi.org/10.2307/2136830
  29. Tak, Y. R., Kim, S. A., & Lee, B. S. (2003). Perceived social support, instrumental support needs, and depression of elderly women. Korean Journal of Women Health Nursing, 9(4), 449-456.