Su Jeong Yi

Introduction: South Korea faces a declining total fertility rate (0.72 in 2023) alongside rising infertility rates. Infertility is often interpreted within a pronatalist sociocultural context emphasizing marriage, parenthood, and traditional gender role expectations. Despite increasing infertility rates, little research has focused on how young adults—particularly university students—perceive infertility. Methods: A descriptive correlational study was conducted with 159 unmarried university students (mean age = 21.6 years; 79.2% women). Participants completed an online survey measuring infertility perception (using the Infertility Perception Scale for Women, IPS-W), traditional gender stereotypes, and family values. Data were analyzed using independent t-tests, one-way ANOVA, Pearson correlation, and multiple regression. Results: The mean infertility perception score was 37.97 (SD = 8.23), indicating a moderately positive perception. Male students, those with religious affiliation, and those without exposure to media on assisted reproductive technology held significantly more negative perceptions ( p < 0.05). Infertility perception was positively correlated with traditional gender stereotypes ( r = 0.541) and family-oriented values emphasizing marriage and childbearing ( r = 0.584). Multiple regression revealed that gender stereotypes ( β = 0.370, ( p < 0.001) and family values ( β = 0.457, p < 0.001) together explained 49% of the variance in infertility perception (adjusted R ² = 0.49). Discussion: Stronger endorsement of traditional gender roles and family-oriented values that prioritize childbearing was associated with more negative perceptions of infertility. Integrating gender-sensitive and media-supported infertility education into university curricula and public health strategies may improve perception, reduce stigma, and foster healthier reproductive decision-making.

Heatwaves, intensified by climate change, have increased the risk of heat-related illnesses, particularly among vulnerable populations. As YouTube becomes a key source of health information, concerns have emerged regarding the credibility of its content. Hence, this study evaluated the content characteristics, educational quality, and reliability of Korean-language YouTube videos on heat-related illnesses. A total of 177 videos were systematically extracted and analyzed. Videos were assessed for uploader type, content, and speaker. Educational quality and reliability were evaluated using the Global Quality Scale and the modified DISCERN scale, respectively. The results indicated that broadcast media were the most common uploaders (67.8%). Most videos addressed symptoms (96.0%), causes (93.2%), and prevention (91.5%), with seasonal peaks in the summer. Videos from non-broadcast sources had higher educational quality compared with those from broadcast media, but the latter displayed slightly higher reliability. Videos featuring non-health care speakers had higher educational quality than did those featuring health care speakers. Overall, YouTube videos on heat-related illnesses vary in quality and reliability. For nurses involved in patient and community education, these findings highlight the need for critical appraisal of online health information and active participation in creating accessible and accurate digital health content to improve digital health education.

Purpose: This study explored the lived experiences of Korean women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and examined how cultural expectations surrounding femininity and reproductive roles shaped their illness experiences. Methods: In-depth interviews were conducted with fifteen women diagnosed with PCOS at a women’s hospital in South Korea. Data were analyzed using qualitative content analysis. Results: Eight themes emerged: (1) A Disease That Doesn’t Feel Like a Disease: Ambiguity and Reinterpretation; (2) Isolation of Body and Mind Amid Stigma and Misunderstanding; (3) Daily Life Limitations Caused by Visible Symptoms; (4) Ambivalent Feelings Surrounding Pregnancy; (5) Difficulties in Self-Management Due to Lack of Information; (6) Psychological Exhaustion From Chronicity and Lack of Control; (7) Awareness and Practices for Living With the Condition; and (8) Moving Toward a Patient-Centered Healthcare Environment. Participants experienced emotional distress related to unpredictable menstrual cycles, infertility fears, appearance concerns, and social misunderstanding. They also reported insufficient communication during clinical encounters. Cultural norms rooted in Confucian values regarding appearance and reproductive responsibility significantly exacerbated these challenges, influencing emotional distress, coping strategies, and healthcare interactions. Conclusions: Women with PCOS experience complex psychological, social, and practical challenges that extend beyond physical symptoms. Culturally sensitive, patient-centered approaches—along with improved information delivery and public awareness—are essential to support their well-being, self-efficacy, and long-term disease management.

Osteoporosis is increasingly being recognized as a significant health concern in men. However, research on male osteoporosis in Korea remains limited. This study aimed to investigate the prevalence and factors influencing osteoporosis in Korean men aged ≥40 years. Secondary analysis utilized data from the Korean Genome and Epidemiology Study urban cohort (2004–2013), focusing on 58,976 men aged ≥40 years. Variables included sociodemographic characteristics, lifestyle factors, medical history, anthropometric measurements, biometric parameters, and dietary habits. Statistical analyses included analysis of variance, Chi-square tests, and multinomial logistic regression. The prevalence of osteoporosis was 0.6% among the male participants. Risk factors significantly associated with osteoporosis included advanced age (50–59 years: odds ratio (OR) = 1.899; ≥60 years: OR = 3.119), chronic diseases including angina/myocardial infarction (OR = 2.197), fatty liver (OR = 2.297), gallstones/cholecystitis (OR = 2.176), and arthritis (OR = 8.069), poor self-rated health (OR = 3.598), and irregular meal patterns (OR = 2.884). Protective factors included normal or overweight body mass index compared with underweight, moderate total cholesterol levels (140–200 mg/dL: OR = 0.401), and moderate coffee consumption (3–4 times/day: OR = 0.555). Age, chronic diseases, poor self-rated health, and irregular dietary habits significantly increase osteoporosis risk in Korean men. Comprehensive health management strategies focusing on these factors are essential for effective osteoporosis prevention in this population.

Background: Premenstrual syndrome (PMS) affects women’s physical and mental health. Depression, stress, sleep disturbance, and eating attitude problems have been known to influence PMS. Furthermore, restrictions of daily life due to the COVID-19 pandemic have led to changes in sleep patterns and eating attitudes. Thus, it is necessary to closely examine how these factors affect PMS. This study aimed to examine the levels of PMS, stress, depression, sleep disturbance, and eating attitude problems among female college students who experience dysmenorrhea and determine the factors associated with PMS. Methods: A cross-sectional online survey design was conducted using a convenience sample of 143 female college students in C City, South Korea. Data were collected from September 1 to 19, 2021 in South Korea using an online self-administered survey. Differences in participants’ level of PMS according to physical health variables (e.g., smoking, water intake, menstrual pain intensity) and psychological issues (i.e., stress, depression, sleep disturbances, and eating attitude problems) were assessed with independent sample t-tests and one-way ANOVAs. Correlational analyses between these variables were also conducted. Additionally, multiple regression was performed to identify the factors influencing PMS. Results: PMS severity was between normal (27.3%) and premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD) (72.7%). PMS was associated positively with depression (r = .284, p = 001), stress (r = .274, p = .001), sleep disturbance (r = .440, p < .001), and eating attitude problems (r = .266, p = .001). Additionally, menstrual pain intensity (β = 0.204), sleep disturbances (β = 0.375), and eating attitude problems (β = 0.202) were found to influence PMS. The regression model was significant (F = 16.553, p < .001) with an explanatory power of 24.7%. Conclusions: Considering the influencing factors of PMS identified in this study, interventions for participants experiencing PMS should be made. We propose that further study should be conducted to examine whether the severity of PMS changes according to menstrual pain, the pattern and degree of its change, and the paths through which sleep quality and eating attitude problems affect PMS.

This study aimed to identify post-traumatic growth and successful aging and the mediating effects of resilience and intolerance of uncertainty in breast cancer survivors. This study employed a descriptive survey approach. Data were collected from 143 breast cancer survivors between 27 January and 10 December 2021, at a cancer center in Gyeongsangnam-do, South Korea. SPSS/WIN 25.0 and PROCESS Macro version 3.5 were used for data analysis. Descriptive statistics were analyzed with SPSS. PROCESS was used to conduct a mediation analysis and the significance of the mediating effect was evaluated using 95% confidence intervals. Successful aging was significantly associated with post-traumatic growth, resilience, and the intolerance of uncertainty. The impact of post-traumatic growth on successful aging was mediated by resilience in breast cancer survivors. Resilience should be considered when developing nursing interventions to enhance post-traumatic growth and promote successful aging in breast cancer survivors.

Physically disabled persons can have sleep problems, which affects their mental health more than those in non-disabled people. However, there are few studies on the relationship between sleep duration and mental health targeting physically disabled people in South Korea, and existing studies on the disabled have mostly used data collected from convenience rather than nationally representative samples, limiting the generalization of the results. This study used data from the second wave of the Panel Survey of Employment for the Disabled (PSED, 2016–2018, 1st–3rd year). Participants included 1851 physically disabled individuals. The Chi-square test and generalized estimating equation (GEE) were used and the Akaike information criterion (AIC) value and the AIC log Bayes factor approximation were used to select sleep trajectories. This is the first study to elucidate multiple sleep trajectories in physically disabled people in Korea, and the relationship between sleep duration trajectories and self-rated depressive symptoms. People with physical disabilities who sleep more than 9 h have the highest risk of depression and need more intensive management as a priority intervention.

Purpose: This study attempts to explore the experiences of infertility among women with male factor infertility. Methods: From April to July 2018, nine women with experience of male factor infertility and assistant reproductive technology were interviewed. The transcribed data were qualitatively analyzed to identify major themes and sub-themes representing participants’ experiences with male factor infertility. Results: The analysis indicated that the women’s infertility experiences were structured into five theme clusters: “Difficult to accept the situation”, “Confused inside”, “Destroyed relationships due to blaming and anger”, “Desire social support”, and “Embracing hurt feelings and regaining strength”. Conclusions: Intervention programs are needed to closely investigate the psychological status of women with male factor infertility and help with their physical and psychological well-being. Efforts to address infertility through effective governmental support for infertility, a strategy for promoting the social recognition of infertility, and the health professional’s persistent interest and collaboration, are discussed.

This study aimed to examine the mediating effects of self-stigma and depression on the public stigma and nurses’ attitudes toward psychiatric help. A cross-sectional study with 184 nurses at one general hospital in South Korea was conducted employing a self-administered survey, using the Attitudes toward Seeking Psychological Help Scale, the Beck Depression Inventory-II Scale, and the modified Depression Stigma Scale. A multiple-mediation analysis procedure was applied to analyze the data. Each indirect effect of self-stigma (B = −0.0974, bootLLCI, bootULCI: −0.1742, −0.0436) and depression (B = −0.0471, bootLLCI, bootULCI: −0.1014, −0.0060) is statistically significant in the relationship between public stigma and attitudes toward psychiatric help. The individualized intervention for enhancing positive attitude or motivation for seeking help at the personal level of the nurse and depression tests—including regular physical health check-ups—is necessary.