Anxiety and mood (대한불안의학회지)

Korean Academy of Anxiety Disorders (대한불안의학회)
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Clinical Characteristics of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder among North Korean Defectors

북한이탈주민의 외상후 스트레스장애의 임상적 특성

  • Lee, Kyoung Eun (Department of Psychiatry, Sungkyunkwan University, School of Medicine, Samsung Medical Center) ;
  • An, Ji Hyun (Department of Psychiatry, Sungkyunkwan University, School of Medicine, Samsung Medical Center) ;
  • Kim, Da Eun (Department of Psychiatry, Sungkyunkwan University, School of Medicine, Samsung Medical Center) ;
  • Moon, Carloyn Seungyoun (Department of Psychiatry, Sungkyunkwan University, School of Medicine, Samsung Medical Center) ;
  • Hong, Jin Pyo (Department of Psychiatry, Sungkyunkwan University, School of Medicine, Samsung Medical Center)
  • 이경은 (성균관대학교 의과대학 삼성서울병원 정신건강의학교실) ;
  • 안지현 (성균관대학교 의과대학 삼성서울병원 정신건강의학교실) ;
  • 김다은 (성균관대학교 의과대학 삼성서울병원 정신건강의학교실) ;
  • 문승연 (성균관대학교 의과대학 삼성서울병원 정신건강의학교실) ;
  • 홍진표 (성균관대학교 의과대학 삼성서울병원 정신건강의학교실)
  • Received : 2018.10.01
  • Accepted : 2018.10.17
  • Published : 2018.10.31
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Abstract

Objective : The purpose of this study was to investigate prevalence and clinical characteristics of Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) in North Korean defectors (NKD). Methods : The study population consisted of 300 NKDs registered in the multi-regional adaptation center (Hana Center), within three years of settling in South Korea. We conducted in-person interviews and a survey with each subject, based on the North Korean version of the WHO-Composite International Diagnostic Interview (NK-CIDI) and various clinical scales. Results : Lifetime prevalence of PTSD in NKDs was 15.3%, approximately nine times higher than South Koreans (1.7%). Although experiencing broader type of traumas with higher rate than South Koreans, NKDs revealed lower odds of PTSD in most type of trauma (p<0.05). Conclusion : NKDs are at higher risk of experiencing different types of trauma than the general population in South Korea, and it is further validated that prevalence of PTSD is also higher. Careful evaluation for comorbid psychiatric symptoms and type of traumas prior to PTSD treatment for NKDs is necessary to facilitate more appropriate intervention for each subject, according to personal experience.

Keywords

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