This study attempted to have literatures review in regard to the definition, etiological factors, coping mechanisms, treatments and nursing cares.
Hwabyung was considered as our traditional culture-bound syndrome which was originated from the special background of the suppressed-culture boundary in Korea.
Literature review on the etiological factors of hwabyung revealed some common demographic characteristics. Hwabyung was more prevalent in women, old ages and the low educated and income classes. It is understood that the Confucian ideas still have an strong influence on the thought of the Korea middle-aged women. It was also revealed some common family and social relationships of hwabyung patients such as the conflicts due to husband´s extramarital affair, conflicts between housewives and mother-in-laws and financial loss or poverty.
The accompanying physical manifestations were heat or hot feeling of body, something pushing-up in chest, palpitation, lump in throat and neck and dry mouth together with the usual neurotic and somatic symptoms such as headache and indigestion.
The main coping styles were somatization, suppression, orality, isolation, withdrawal, projection, regression and shared concern.
Literature review on hwabyng showed different treatments between psychiatrists and herb doctors. Psychiatrists´ main treatments were medical care, psychiatric care and counselling but the herb physicians treated the patients with the Chinese medicine, medication, mental and religious cares.
Nursing care for the hwabyung patients required the physical and psychological cares simultaneously. And nurses´ good hearing and will to help the patients gave them much assistance. Also nurses must help them talk with significant person. Nurses also must help the patients develop the coping skill. It is necessary to recommend the health promotion behaviors such as the expression of feeling, the progressive relaxation, physical activities, relaxation and good sleeping.
Hwabyung will require the individual and hollistic nursing cares as it was not occurred within a short period but from an accumulation in along period. It is necessary to study this subject further in regard to the nursing on the basis of the theoretical data obtained through these literatures review as the research on this subject is not sufficient enough yet.
|