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Objective : The purposes of this study were two-fold; First it investigated self-esteem, stress and coping behaviors of mothers with handicapped children as a function of their and their children's characteristics; Second it examined the relationship among these variables. Method : The subjects were 294 mothers of handicapped children who were receiving treatment in one of the sixteen special therapy institutions in Seoul, Gyeonggi-do, and Gangwon-do. Rosenberg's (1965) Self-Esteem Scale translated by Jeon Byung-Jea (1974) was used to measure the degree of mothers' self-esteem. Mothers' stress was assessed using the Support Burden Scale revised by Seong Jong-sook(2000) and their coping behavior was examined using Folkman's (1986) Coping Scale translated by Jeon Sung-hye. The data were analyzed with descriptive statistics, t-test, one-way ANOVA and Pearson's Correlation. Result : The major results of this study were as follows; First, working mothers of handicapped children showed higher self-esteem and problem solving coping behavior more than non-working mothers. Self-esteem was found higher with high-income mothers than with low-income ones. Stress was shown more intense to low- and middle-income mothers than to high-income ones. Problem solving coping behavior was preferred more by high-and middle-income mothers than by low-income ones. Second, mothers with the mild-handicap children showed higher self-esteem than those with the first-degree handicap ones. Mothers of children with first-, second- and third-degree handicap perceived more stress than those with mild handicap. Coping behavior was significantly different depending on the severity of children's handicap, but no significant difference was found among the groups. Third, the higher the self-esteem of mothers was, the less they perceived stress and used more of problem solving coping behavior. When mothers perceived a great deal of stress, they used more of emotion-oriented coping behaviors.

Objective: This study was to provide a standard for the evaluation of The Korean version of Adolescent/Adult Sensory Profile(K-ASP) for University students and to investigate the difference of the subjective sense recognition regarding the characteristics of sensory processing. Method: The subjects consisted of 84 University students. A researcher examined subjective sense recognition and K-ASP for subjects. Visual Analog Scale used to evaluate subjective sense recognition and K-ASP was utilized to evaluate the characteristics of sensory processing. Results: 1. The average scores and standard deviation of K-ASP were 32.93±7.88 for low registration group, 39.39±6.55 for sensory seeking group, 38.94±9.13 for sensory sensitivity group, and 34.24±7.85 for sensory avoiding group. 2. The correlation between the total score on an each quadrant and the subjective sense recognition are -.27 for low registration group, .11 for sensory seeking group, .09 for sensory sensitivity group and .12 for sensory avoiding group. It showed the statistically significant correlation between the total score of low registration and the subjective sense recognition group(p<.05). 3. The average scores and standard deviation of the subjective sense recognition were 5.22±1.56 for high threshold and 7.28±1.70 for low threshold. The subjective sense recognition according to the characteristics of sensory processing showed the statistically significant difference. Conclusions: This study supports the theory that there is the difference of sensory recognition according to each individual and we found that people with difficulties of sensory processing acknowledge their characteristics of sensory processing well. Evaluation of sensory processing ability through interview or questionnaire supports the fact which it is reliable.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to get the cognitive reaction time according to the intensity of auditory stimuli in older people and to differentiate the cognitive reaction time between older people and adults. Method: 49 subjects consisted of 32 older people and 17 adults. Cognitive reaction time was assessed with Simple Auditory Reaction of Foundation Ⅰ in PSS CogReHab. Analysis of the data was done by using independent t-test. Results: The results were as follows: 1. There was a significant difference of the mean of cognitive reaction time to the intensity of auditory stimuli. 2. There was no significant difference from older people regardless of sexual distinction in mean of cognitive reaction time. However, there was a significant difference of the mean of cognitive reaction time in adults. 3. There was a significant difference between older people who got a job or not in 90 dB of auditory stimuli. 4. The mean of cognitive reaction time to the intensity of auditory stimuli in older people was slower than adults. There was a significant difference of the mean of cognitive reaction time between older people and adults in 70 dB of auditory stimuli. 5. The mean of cognitive reaction time to the intensity of auditory stimuli in older people did not have the significant difference in scholastic ability. Conclusions: The results of the study showed slowing of the cognitive reaction time in auditory stimuli to aging in older people. Therefore, applying silver industry and development of equipment for older people may maintain independent life.

Objective: To evaluate the effectiveness of the home-based program composed of sensory diet for child with sensory modulation disorder. Method: The subject underwent the home-based program composed of sensory diet for 8 months. Evaluation tools we used are the Developmental Screening Test II(DDSTII) for developmental screening; the Short Sensory Profile(SSP), clinical observation and the clinical history record form for sensory integrative function; the Motor-Free Visual Perception Test(MVPT) and draw a person test for visual perception. Evaluation was executed before and after the program is provided. Results: The subject has showed remarkable improvement in developmental level, sensory integrative function and visual perceptual ability after went through the home-based program. Conclusion: The home-based program composed of sensory diet is effective for children with sensory modulation disorder when it is difficult to apply classical sensory integrative approach.

The purpose of this study is to provide definition of proprioception, foundations and roles of neuroanatomy, and systemical review of proprioceptive activities in sensory integration intervention. Proprioception exists in muscle, ligaments, joints and skin and it plays important role in controling body movements and interacting with environment during child development. Proprioception interacting with tactile and vestibular systems contributes to the change of muscle tone, postural control, refinements of planning and praxis. Children who are deficit in proprioceptive processing would seek hypo-responsive proprioceptive input or avoid hyperactive one. Outcome of poor proprioceptive input would cause the problems of praxis and postural control. Because proprioception provides information about the position and movement of body and limb it is important for development of body scheme and motor planning. It also influences the arousal and emotional tone. Sensory integration intervention which provides rich proprioceptive activities will improve the level of arousal and enhance motor planning.