title: The meaning of health-related quality of life in a Korean sample.
abstract: This study describes the impact of diabetes and the meaning of health-related quality of life (HRQOL) for 22 male and female patients in Korea. Open-ended interviews yielded six HRQOL themes: health, overall well-being, harmonious relationships and family responsibilities, a rewarding life, spiritual life, and material support. The physical impact of diabetes included decreased energy, limitations, and physical suffering; while its psychological/spiritual impact extended to general stress, helplessness, fear, depression, anger, and relationship with God. Like Americans, Koreans valued health, psychological well-being and interpersonal support. In addition, the Koreans valued smooth, harmonious interpersonal relationships, overall well-being pertaining to living a comfortable and honorable life.
authors.affiliation: College of Nursing, Seoul National University, South Korea.
authors.forename: M A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Choe
authors.forename: G V
authors.initials: GV
authors.lastname: Padilla
authors.forename: Y R
authors.initials: YR
authors.lastname: Chae
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kim
mesh_terms: D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000328:Adult; D000786:Anger; D001294:Attitude to Health / Q000208:ethnology*; D003863:Depression / Q000208:ethnology / Q000523:psychology; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000208:ethnology*; D005190:Family / Q000523:psychology; D005239:Fear; D005260:Female; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D007389:Internal-External Control; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D007723:Korea; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015404:Nursing Methodology Research; D010549:Personal Satisfaction; D011788:Quality of Life; D012069:Religion and Psychology; D012803:Sick Role; D012944:Social Support; D012945:Social Values; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000208:ethnology / Q000523:psychology; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires