Biomedical subjects

Hyekyun Rhee

Publications and source records attributed to Hyekyun Rhee.

6 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2006

Adolescents with asthma: learning needs and internet use assessment.

OBJECTIVE: To identify particular learning needs among adolescents with asthma and explore the potential utility of the Internet in addressing adolescents' expressed learning needs. METHODS: In 2004 and 2005, 6 gender-specific and age-specific focus groups were conducted among adolescents, ages 12-18 years, with mild intermittent to severe persistent asthma. Thematic analysis of participants' statements from transcribed group sessions were conducted by the research team, who compared field notes, reviewed focus group transcripts, and validated emerging and final themes. RESULTS: The majority of participants denied previous experience with formal asthma education. Participants reported their limited knowledge of asthma and its management. Health-care providers were recognized as the most credible source of asthma information. Compared to the older adolescents, the younger adolescents expressed stronger motivation to learn about asthma. The participants identified asthma learning needs for others, including peers, teachers, and parents. The importance of socialization, support, and information-sharing with other adolescents with asthma was perceived by participants in all age and gender groups. Participants discussed their Internet use and articulated suggestions regarding potential uses of the Internet to assist in adolescent asthma management. CONCLUSIONS: This study underscores the necessity of an early intervention to take advantage of younger adolescents' greater interest in learning about asthma, and highlights the importance of incorporating peer dynamics in designing interventions for adolescents. Our findings also illustrate the variety of ways that the Internet may be useful in developing a technology-driven intervention for adolescents.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2005

Racial/ethnic differences in adolescents' physical symptoms.

This study was conducted to establish race/ethnic-specific prevalence for 10 physical symptoms in American youths and to examine the extent to which socioeconomic status and depressive symptoms explained racial differences in those symptoms. This descriptive study was based on a cross-sectional analysis of survey data from Wave I of the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health including a school-based sample of over 20,000 adolescents in Grades 7 through 12. Self-reported physical symptoms during the past 12 months were examined. White youths reported the highest frequency of headaches, musculoskeletal pain, and dizziness; feeling hot, chest pain, cold sweats, and urinary symptoms were more common in Black youths. The three symptoms reported by Whites remained significant after controlling for family income and depressive symptoms, whereas racial differences in the four symptoms prominent in Blacks were accounted for by family income and depressive symptoms. Findings highlight racial differences in symptom types and in psychosocial factors contributing to physical symptoms in adolescents and warn against health-care providers' stereotyping associations between physical symptoms and socioeconomic status.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2003

Physical symptoms in children and adolescents.

This chapter summarizes and critiques research on physical symptoms in children and adolescents from a developmental science perspective. Studies conducted by researchers from various disciplines, primarily after 1990, were identified through searches of MEDLINE, CINAHL, and Psyc INFO. This review focuses on two areas: the prevalence of common physical symptoms--headache, abdominal pain or discomfort, musculoskeletal pain and fatigue--in pediatric populations and the developmental issues associated with these symptom experiences. Developmental factors were organized into two overarching categories, individual and environmental factors. Findings indicate that demographic factors, including age, pubertal development, gender, and race or ethnicity; psychological factors, particularly self-esteem, depression, and anxiety; and behavioral factors have varying relationships to the report of physical symptoms in children and youth. In addition, family and parents, peers, and the broader school and community ecology of children have an influence on physical symptom complaints. There is a need for further studies that are strengthened by the use of developmentally sensitive theoretical frameworks and methodologies that address complicated developmental issues.

Adolescent↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Relationships between physical symptoms and pubertal development.

INTRODUCTION: The purpose of this study was to examine relationships between physical symptoms and pubertal status and timing in adolescents. METHOD: This descriptive study was based on cross-sectional analysis of survey data from the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health including a school-based sample of more than 20,000 adolescents in grades 7 through 12. Self-reported physical symptoms during the past 12 months were examined. Pubertal development was measured as pubertal status (early, mid, and advanced pubertal) and timing (early timing, on time, and late timing). RESULTS: Headaches and musculoskeletal pains were the most commonly reported symptoms among advanced pubertal status respondents. Headache was more prominent among girls; among boys, musculoskeletal complaints were predominant. For both sexes, on-time developers were less likely to report physical symptoms when compared with the two off-timing groups. Among girls, pubertal status and timing were more closely associated with various types of symptoms. DISCUSSION: This study underscores the importance of both the objective signs of pubertal changes and youngsters' own perception of their pubertal changes in assessing and addressing physical symptoms.

Abdominal Pain↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Patterns of physical symptoms and relationships with psychosocial factors in adolescents.

OBJECTIVES: Physical symptoms are common in otherwise healthy adolescents. This study sought to identify meaningful patterns of multiple physical symptoms and to examine relationships between the patterns and psychosocial factors. One-year stability of symptom patterns and factors contributing to stability were also examined. METHODS: This secondary data analysis used longitudinal data from a nationally representative sample of adolescents in grades 7 through 12 (n = 9,141) who participated in the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health during 1994 to 1996. Ten selected physical symptoms (i.e., headache, stomachaches, fatigue) were used to construct clusters. Each cluster was compared in regard to demographic factors, psychological adjustment and interpersonal relationships. RESULTS: K-means in combination with Ward method clustered the sample into 4 groups according to the overall patterns of the 10 symptoms: nonsymptom (41%), moderate symptom (38%), high symptom (19%) and extreme symptom (2%). Adolescents in higher symptom clusters were more likely to be girls, nonwhites, or from families on welfare and reported high depressive symptoms, low self-esteem, and poor perceptions of parental affection and friendship quality. About 16% in clusters with lower symptom patterns develop somatizing patterns in Wave II; new onset was predicted by gender, younger age, and depressive symptoms. CONCLUSION: Symptom patterns characterized by overall high frequencies of multiple symptoms may indicate somatization. This study also suggests that adolescents with a somatizing tendency are more likely to experience psychological and interpersonal difficulties, and girls and younger adolescents are more vulnerable. Targeted prevention programs are needed for these vulnerable individuals by addressing their psychosocial functioning.

Adaptation, Psychological↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Prevalence of recurrent physical symptoms in U.S. adolescents.

PURPOSE: To estimate the prevalence of 10 recurrent physical symptoms and to examine how prevalence differs by gender and age in healthy American adolescents. METHOD: Cross-sectional analysis used survey data from the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health (Add Health), a school-based probability sample of over 20,000 adolescents in grades 7 through 12. FINDINGS: Headache was the most frequently reported symptom (29%), closely followed by musculoskeletal pain (27%), fatigue (21%), and stomachache (18%). About one third of the adolescents reported multiple symptoms. Nonlinear age trends were found for musculoskeletal pain, fatigue, and dizziness with peaks between ages 16 and 17. Prevalence was higher in girls for most symptoms except musculoskeletal pain. Multiple symptoms were also prevalent and varied according to age and gender. CONCLUSIONS: The findings provide a database for studying health problems in adolescents. The high prevalence of physical symptoms underscores the importance of incorporating symptom assessment into adolescent physical check-ups at schools and communities as well as during sick office visits. This helps nurses strategize screening of adolescents.

Adult↗