Journal List > J Korean Acad Nurs > v.40(4) > 1002639

Uhm: Effects on Couples' Communication, Intimacy, Conflict and Quality of Life by Foot Massage between Immigrants

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects on immigrant couples' communication, intimacy, conflict and quality of life when using foot massage.

Methods

The research design consisted of pre-and-post test consecutive experimental design through a nonequivalent control group. Data were collected July 6, 2009 to February 27, 2010. The 36 couples were divided into two groups, experimental and control with 18 couples in each group. Foot massage was applied twice a week for 6 weeks by the couples in the experimental group.

Results

There were statistically significant increases in communication (p=.011), intimacy (p<.001), quality of life (p=.017) between the couples in the experimental group compared to the control group. There was also a statistically significant decrease in conflict (p=.003) between the couples in the experimental group compared to the control group.

Conclusion

Foot massage can be applied as a nursing intervention for improvement of marital relationship in immigrant couples.

Figures and Tables

Table 1
Homogeneity for General Characteristics between Groups (N=72)
jkan-40-493-i001

Exp=Experimental group; Con=Control group.

Table 2
Homogeneity for Dependent Variables (N=72)
jkan-40-493-i002

Exp=Experimental group; Con=Control group.

Table 3
Comparison of Communication, Intimacy, Conflict and Quality of Life between Groups (N=72)
jkan-40-493-i003

Post-test 1: Post test at 3 weeks; Post-test 2: Post test at 6 weeks.

Exp=Experimental group; Con=Control group.

Table 4
Comparison of Communication, Intimacy, Conflict and Quality of Life for Husbands (N=36)
jkan-40-493-i004

Post-test 1: Post test at 3 weeks; Post-test 2: Post test at 6 weeks.

Exp=Experimental group; Con=Control group.

Table 5
Comparison of Communication, Intimacy, Conflict and Quality of Life for Wives (N=36)
jkan-40-493-i005

Post-test 1: Post test at 3 weeks; Post-test 2: Post test at 6 weeks.

Exp=Experimental group; Con=Control group.

Notes

This work was supported by the National Research Foundation of Korea (NRF) grant funded by the Korea government (MEST) (No. 2009-0074725).

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