Sang-Youn Jang

Background/Objectives: This study aimed to identify the mediating effect of parental support on the relationship between immigrant mothers’ mental health and adolescents’ self-esteem. Methods: This study utilized data from 1077 Korean multicultural adolescents and their immigrant mothers from the 9th Multicultural Adolescents Panel data obtained in 2019. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, Pearson’s correlation, Baron and Kenny’s regression analysis, and bootstrapping using the process macro. Results: Immigrant mothers’ mental health was significantly and positively associated with their adolescents’ self-esteem (r = 0.14, p < 0.001), and parental support was also significantly and positively associated with adolescents’ self-esteem (r = 0.50, p < 0.001). Parental support had a mediating effect on immigrant mothers’ mental health and adolescents’ self-esteem. Conclusions: The self-esteem of adolescents from multicultural families was found to be influenced by the mental health and support of their immigrant mothers. These findings highlight the mediating role of parental support in the relationship between immigrant mothers’ mental health and adolescents’ self-esteem, contributing to a deeper theoretical understanding of family dynamics in multicultural contexts. Therefore, these factors should be considered when developing parent education programs for immigrant mothers.

Purpose: This study aimed to investigate the dietary behaviors and nutritional intakes of pregnant women of advanced maternal age in Korea.Methods: Pregnant women were recruited online via regional quota sampling. Self-reported 24-hour dietary recall and dietary behavior questionnaires were administered through an online survey. Data from 538 participants were analyzed. Nutrient intake and foods consumed by meals were analyzed using Can-Pro 6.0 and a word cloud tool, respectively. Statistical analysis of the data was performed using SPSS ver. 29 software.Results: The highest score of dietary behavior was for "I eat enough to avoid food shortages,” while the lowest was for drinking alcohol. Statistically significant differences by trimester were observed for the intake of dairy products (F=5.65, p=0.004), high-fiber foods (F=4.54, p=0.011), and fruits and vegetables (F=4.52, p=0.011), with their increased consumption in the third trimester. Caffeine intake differed significantly and was lower during the first trimester. Nutritional analysis revealed an average energy intake of 1,671.80±447.50 kcal, which is below the estimated average requirements. Although sodium intake exceeded the recommended levels, micronutrient intake was mostly insufficient, particularly for vitamin B6, vitamin D, and folate. The intakes of fat, calcium, zinc, and vitamin B3 were significantly higher in the third trimester than in the other trimesters.Conclusion: This study examined the dietary behaviors and nutrient intake levels of pregnant women of advanced maternal age. Given the increased risk of gestational diabetes, hypertensive disorders, fetal malformations, and low birth weight, it is essential to implement interventions to ensure adequate nutrient intake.

A high prevalence of dyslipidemia has recently been shown not only in adults, but also in adolescents. When occurring in adolescence, dyslipidemia is a risk factor for cardiovascular disease in adulthood. This study aimed to identify significant factors affecting dyslipidemia in South Korean adolescents. We used data from the third year of the 8th Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES VIII-3) on 381 Korean adolescents aged 12–18 years. The data were analyzed using frequency analysis, descriptive statistics, the Rao–Scott χ test, the t-test, and univariate and multivariate logistic regression using complex sample analysis. On a weighted population basis, 28.1% of the adolescents among the participants were identified as the group with dyslipidemia. Obesity, waist circumference, serum uric acid, and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) were significantly related to the prevalence of dyslipidemia. Physical activity 4–7 days a week was related to a decrease in the prevalence of dyslipidemia only in male adolescents. The results of this study can be used as evidence for the risk assessment of adolescent dyslipidemia and the establishment of systematic health management guidelines according to risk factors for the prevention of adolescent dyslipidemia.

The purpose of this study was to identify significant factors affecting diabetes and pre-diabetes in South Korean adolescents, including adolescents’ and parental factors. We used data on 416 Korean adolescents aged 12–18 years and their parents (302 fathers and 375 mothers) from the eighth National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey gained in 2020. The data were analyzed by descriptive statistics, t-test, Rao–Scott χ² test, and univariate logistic regression using complex sample analysis. Among the participants, 101 adolescents (22.7%) were classified as the high-risk group for diabetes. Significant factors affecting the risk for adolescent diabetes in both sexes were higher BMI, fasting plasma glucose, hemoglobin A1c, and insulin. The father’s high degree of stress perception was only related to male adolescents, and the father’s poor subjective health status was related to females at risk for diabetes. In mothers, physician-diagnosed diabetes, fasting plasma glucose, and hemoglobin A1c were factors affecting both sexes. Results from this study can be used as preliminary data for the early detection of high-risk groups for diabetes in adolescents, and for the development of systematic health care guidelines to prevent diabetes in adolescents.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to examine the relationships among parenting role sharing, parenting stress, happiness, and parenting behavior of mothers with 6-year-old children.Methods: This study used data from the seventh Panel Study of Korean Children, which began collecting longitudinal data on a sample of newborn households nationwide in 2008 and will continue yearly until 2027. The participants were 1,560 mothers of children aged 6 years. We conducted statistical analyses using descriptive statistics, the t-test, analysis of variance, Pearson correlation coefficients, and stepwise multiple regression.Results: The mean age of the mothers was 36.8±3.7 years. The mothers' perceived parenting role sharing (r=.07, p=.007), parenting stress (r=-.54, p<.001), and happiness (r=.38, p<.001) were significantly correlated with warm parenting behavior. Stepwise multiple regression analysis revealed that parenting stress (β=-.47, p<.001), happiness (β=.15, p<.001), and parenting role sharing (β=.11, p<.001) were significant predictors for warm parenting behavior by mothers.Conclusion: It is essential to reduce mothers' stress and increase their positive emotions (happiness). Fathers should actively share parenting roles in raising children to enhance mothers' warm parenting behavior.

This longitudinal cohort correlational study aimed to confirm the relation among taekyo or traditional prenatal practice, prenatal depression, postpartum depression, maternal–fetal interaction, and infant temperament and colic using a prospective design. We recruited 212 women 16–20 weeks pregnant from July 2017 to September 2018; they were followed up until six months postpartum. Data from 97 participants were used in the final analysis. We used the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale, Cranley’s Maternal–Fetal Attachment Scale, and What My Baby Is Like as measurement tools. We observed a significant correlation between prenatal maternal depression in the first to third trimesters and 6–8 weeks and six months postpartum. In addition, infant temperament at six months old showed a significant negative correlation with prenatal and postpartum depression: the higher the prenatal and postpartum depression level, the more difficult the infant’s temperament. Taekyo practice was significantly related to maternal–fetal attachment (r = 0.45−0.68, p < 0.001). Difficult infants showed more colic episodes than any other type of infant (χ² = 18.18, p < 0.001). Prenatal and postnatal maternal depression affected infants’ temperament and colic episodes. The management of mothers’ mental health before and after pregnancy is important for infants’ and mothers’ health.

Purpose: This study was conducted to examine the relationships among the perceptions and practice of taegyo (a traditional set of practices and beliefs related to healthy fetal development) and maternal-fetal attachment in pregnant women. Methods: The participants were 136 pregnant women who visited a public health center or maternity hospital for prenatal care. The collected data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, the t-test, analysis of varience, and Pearson correlation coefficients with SPSS version 22.0. Results: The mean age of the pregnant women was 32.24±3.99 years. The mean scores for perceptions of taegyo, practice of taegyo, and maternal-fetal attachment were 3.96±0.53, 3.74±0.64, and 3.94±0.49, respectively. Perceptions of taegyo were significantly correlated with the practice of taegyo (r=.72, p<.001), and maternal-fetal attachment (r=.55, p<.001). A significant correlation was also found between the practice of taegyo and maternal-fetal attachment (r=.65, p<.001). Conclusion: Perceptions of taegyo affected the practice of taegyo, and had a positive effect on maternal-fetal attachment. These findings suggest that primary care nurses at hospitals and public health centers should provide nursing intervention programs to improve the perceptions of taegyo, the practice of taegyo, and maternal-fetal attachment.

Purpose: This study aimed to identify the characteristics of an intervention program for school-aged overweight and obese children through an integrated literature review. Methods: We used five databases (MEDLINE [PubMed], CINAHL, Embase, DBpia, and RISS) to search for studies published between January 1, 2013, and April 18, 2018. The studies were reviewed according to specific inclusion and exclusion criteria. Results: Finally, nine studies were selected and classified into three types: school-based, community-based, and home-based. Specific intervention methods were identified, including exercise, diet, exercise and diet, and cognitive behavioral therapy. Conclusion: Most studies have shown the effectiveness of obesity intervention programs. However, the variables, tools, and methods of measuring the effectiveness of intervention varied, making it difficult to compare the intervention studies. Therefore, future studies should develop objective and integrated measurement tools and evaluate the effects with long-term follow-up.