• Women's Health Nursing
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• v.28 no.1
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• pp.46-55
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• 2022

Purpose: This study aimed to determine the level of postpartum posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and postpartum depression (PPD) in Korean mothers with healthy babies and to explore the factors related to postpartum PTSD. Methods: This study used a longitudinal survey design to explore the levels and association of PPD and PTSD. Two hundred women were recruited during pregnancy and the data were collected via online survey from 166 mothers (84% retained) who gave birth to healthy babies, at two postpartum periods: Fear of childbirth was assessed at the 1st week; and spousal support, PPD, and postpartum PTSD were surveyed at the 4th week postpartum. Descriptive statistics, t-test, one-way analysis of variance, Chi square test, and multiple regression were done. Results: The mean age of mothers was 33.12 (±3.97) years old. Postpartum PTSD was low (8.95±6.49) with 1.8% (n=3) at risk (≥19). PPD was also low (6.68±5.28) and 30.1% (n=50) were identified at risk (≥10). The comorbid rate of PPD with PTSD was 6%. Mothers who did not have a planned pregnancy had higher scores of PPD (t=-2.78, p=.008), whereas spousal support and PPD had negative relationship (r=-.21, p=.006). The overall explanatory power for postpartum PTSD was 55.2%, of which PPD was the only significant variable (β=. 76, t=13.76, p<.001). Conclusion: While only 1.8% was at risk of postpartum PTSD at 4 weeks postpartum, PPD prevalence was 30.1% and PPD was the only influential factor of postpartum PTSD. Assessment and counseling of PPD are required as well as screening for postpartum PTSD. More research is also needed on postpartum PTSD in Korean women.

• Korean Journal of Psychosomatic Medicine
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• v.19 no.2
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• pp.83-91
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• 2011

Objectives: Posttraumatic stress disorder(PTSD) has devastating effects on multiple aspects of the quality of life(QoL). Therefore, the purpose of this study is to compare the QoL between PTSD group and non-PTSD group, and identify the variables affecting the QoL of the Vietnam War veterans. Methods: We recruited 39 veterans with PTSD and 43 veterans without PTSD, all of whom had deployed to the Vietnam War. We used the Korean version of Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview-Plus, the Korean version of Clinician-Administered PTSD Scale, Combat Exposure Scale and the Korean version of World Health Organization Quality of Life Assessment Instrument abbreviated version. We used independent samples t-test to identify the differences between PTSD and non-PTSD group in each domains of the quality of life. We also used stepwise multiple linear regression analysis to figure out the variables affecting the QoL of the Vietnam War veterans. Results: In the PTSD group, all domains of the QoL and the QoL total score(p<0.01) were significantly lower than those in the non-PTSD group. In the Vietnam War veterans, PTSD, major depressive disorder and education levels were the variables affecting the QoL. Among these, PTSD uniquely explained the QoL of the overall and general health(${\beta}$=-1.411, $R^2$=0.180), the physical health domain(${\beta}$=-2.806, $R^2$=0.089) and the total score (${\beta}$=-11.479, $R^2$=0.104). Conclusions: These results suggest that among the Vietnam War veterans, the QoL of the PTSD group is significantly lower than that of the non-PTSD group. Among the combat exposed veterans, PTSD may be one of the main reasons that affect the multiple domains of the QoL.

• Journal of the Korean Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry
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• v.22 no.3
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• pp.169-181
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• 2011

Objectives: The Child Report of Post-traumatic Symptoms (CROPS) and the Parent Report of Post-traumatic Symptoms (PROPS) are screening measures for post-traumatic symptoms in children. The present study aimed to investigate the reliability and validity of the Korean versions of the CROPS and the PROPS. Methods: The Korean versions of the CROPS and the PROPS were administered to a sample of 304 children aged 6 to 15 years old. The internal reliability, test-retest reliability, factorial validity, predictive validity and concurrent validity were evaluated. Results: The reliability of the CROPS and the PROPS was shown to have excellent internal consistency and test-retest correlation. The single factor structure of the PROPS was good and that of the CROPS was borderline acceptable according to confirmatory factor analysis. Other validity measures such as the predictive validity and concurrent validity were also shown to be satisfactory. Conclusion: This study demonstrated that the Korean versions of the CROPS and the PROPS were reliable measures with satisfactory psychometric qualities. Because it takes less than 5 minutes to fill out the CROPS and the PROPS, respectively they can be quick and easy screening scales for assessing post-traumatic symptoms in Korean children.

• Anxiety and mood
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• v.11 no.1
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• pp.61-68
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• 2015

Objective : Police officers are exposed to job-related traumatic events and have a high prevalence of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). This study examined the relationship between PTSD symptoms and dimensions of temperament and character in police officers. Method : Thirty-six police officers participating in a psychological support program were enrolled. All subjects were asked to complete a demographic questionnaire, the Impact of Event Scale-Revised (IES-R), the Temperament and Character Inventory (TCI) and other self-reported symptoms scales. Results : Among all participants (age $40.8{\pm}10.2$, men 94.4%), the rate of 'post-traumatic stress symptoms group' was 47.2%. After controlling for confounding factors, lower self-directedness scores were significantly associated with higher PTSD symptoms (${\beta}=0.6$, p=0.03) in multiple regression analysis. Conclusion : Character traits, especially self-directedness, were associated with the severity of PTSD symptoms severity. These findings may provide useful information regarding personality factors related to PTSD in police officers.

• Anxiety and mood
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• v.8 no.2
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• pp.86-92
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• 2012

Objective : This study investigated the relationship between the resilience and posttraumatic stress symptoms, as well as comorbid symptoms in firefighters. Methods : We collected 764 firefighters, who worked at six fire department stations in Gangwon-do. We investigated the impact of event scale-revised (IES-R), the life events checklists (LEC), Connor-Davidson resilience scale (CD-RISC), Beck depression inventory (BDI), state trait anxiety inventory (STAI) and alcohol use disorder identification test (AUDIT). Full PTSD groups, partial PTSD groups and non-PTSD groups, which were classified by IES-R scores, were compared in the LEC, CD-RISC, BDI, STAI and AUDIT, ; multiple linear regression analyses were done for independent predictors of variables. Results : Of the 764 firefighters, there were significant differences in LEC (p<0.001), CD-RISC (p<0.001), BDI (p<0.001), and AUDIT (p=0.001) among the full PTSD groups, partial PTSD groups and non-PTSD groups. However, STAI did not show significant difference among three groups. In multiple regression analysis, CD-RISC (${\beta}=-0.168$, p<0.001), LEC (${\beta}=0.211$, p<0.001) and AUDIT (${\beta}=0.115$, p=0.001) were significant predictors for IES-R. Conclusion : The results of the present study suggested that resilience might be a protective factor in PTSD and comorbid symptoms of PTSD.

• Journal of East-West Nursing Research
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• v.27 no.1
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• pp.14-21
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• 2021

Purpose: This study aims to examine the levels of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression and social stigma among nurses caring for Corona Virus Disease-19 (COVID-19) patients. Methods: 169 nurses caring for COVID-19 patients participated in this study. Data collection was conducted at university hospitals from March 1 to August 31, 2020. Data analysis was performed for descriptive statistics, t-test, ANOVA, and Pearson correlation coefficients using SPSS/WIN 24.0 program. Results: The mean scores of PTSD, depression and social stigma were 25.16±16.80, 17.26±8.63 and 5.83±2.84, respectively. The PTSD scores were significantly different between the department (F=2.89, p=.037). Depressive scores were significantly different between the marital status (t=2.27, p=.024) and the department (F=4.91, p=.003). Social stigma scores were significantly different between age (F=6.49, p=.002), marital status (t=-3.30, p=.008), having or not having children (t=3.82, p=.001), department (F=5.82, p=.001) and clinical experience (F=7.43, p=.001). Positive correlations were found between PTSD and depression (r=.70, p<.001) and social stigma (r=.22, p<.004). Conclusion: Integrated assessment and management are required to address the psychological and emotional problems faced by nurses caring for COVID-19 patients, and active follow-up measures should be considered.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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• v.16 no.6
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• pp.4040-4047
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• 2015

The purpose of this study was to analyze a change in Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) level and the continuity of the effects in music therapy by applying short-term music therapy program in fire fighters with Post-traumatic Stress (PTS). Forty two fire fighters in 3 districts were randomly assigned to experimental group (21 subjects) and control group (21 subjects). Music therapy was applied in totally 10 sessions by two sessions (120 minutes) a day for 5 days. PTS level was measured immediately after the end of program, after 4 weeks, and after 12 weeks. As a result, PTS level has significantly decreased into $8.90{\pm}4.55$ from $26.52{\pm}2.32$ right after the music therapy program(p<0.05). And the effect was shown to be continued significantly up to after 4 weeks($11.95{\pm}4.57$) and after 12 weeks($13.76{\pm}5.62$)(p<0.05). As a result of research, it is considered that the music therapy is effective approach for reduction in PTS as for fire fighters who belong to the group with high risk of PTSD. Accordingly, the application of regular program for managing fire fighters' mental health is understood to likely to contribute to enhancing the field service competence.

• Korean Journal of Biological Psychiatry
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.80-89
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• 2011

Pavlovian fear conditioning has been extensively studied for the understanding of neurobiological basis of memory and emotion. Pavlovian fear conditioning is an associative memory which forms when conditioned stimulus (CS) is paired with unconditioned stimulus (US) once or repeatedly. This behavioral model is also important for the understanding of anxiety disorders such as posttraumatic stress disorder. Here we describe the neural circuitry involved in fear conditioning and the molecular mechanisms underlying fear memory formation. During consolidation some memories fade out but other memories become stable and concrete. Emotion plays an important role in determining which memories will survive. Memory becomes unstable and editable again immediately after retrieval. It opens the possibility for us of modulating the established fear memory. It provides us with very efficient tools to improve the efficacy of cognitive-behavior therapy and other exposure-based therapy treating anxiety disorders.

• Anxiety and mood
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• v.4 no.1
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• pp.34-41
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• 2008

Objective : The aim of this study is to examine the characteristics of somatic symptoms in patients with PTSD according to trauma type. Methods : The subjects of this study were 84 patients diagnosed with PTSD according to the DSM-IVTR and CAPS criteria. The subjects ranged in age from 18 to 76 years, and they were recruited from 18 hospitals across the nation. All participants were asked about their trauma history, and they all completed the Davidson Trauma Scale (DTS), Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI), Impact of Event Scale-Revised (IES-R) and Korean-Physical Somatic Symptom Inventory (K-PSI). The items of the K-PSI were categorized into 5 groups according to organ system, and the participants were classified into 6 groups according to trauma type. We compared the results of the social demographical scale, DTS, BDI, STAI, IES-R and each recategorized subscale of the K-PSI among the six groups. Results : There were significant differences between the 6 groups in terms of the Korean-Physical Somatic Symptom Inventory scores for each organ system, except for the cardiopulmonary system, as well as the BDI scores. Post hoc analysis revealed differences between the combat-related trauma group and all other groups but not among any of the other groups. Conclusion : Our result showed that there were significant differences in the somatic symptom scores among the 6 trauma groups. However, patient age and the time elapsed since the traumatic event may have hada crucial influence on the result of this study.

• Korean Journal of Culture and Social Issue
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• v.28 no.2
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• pp.187-217
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• 2022

The aim of this study is to examine the psychometric properties of the Korean version of the Post-traumatic Stress Disorder Checklist for DSM-5(PCL-5). For this purpose, online surveys were conducted for two times with a one year interval using the data from 1,077 Korean adults at time 1, and 563 Korean adults at time 2. First, from the result of the confirmatory factor analysis, comparing the model fit of the 1, 4, 6, and 7-factor model, the 4, 6, and 7-factor model showed a acceptable fit, and the best fit was seen in the order of the 7, 6, 4-factor model. Second, the internal consistency, omega coefficient, construct validity, average variance extracted, and test-retest reliability results were all satisfactory.. Third, a correlation analysis with the K-PC-PTSD-5 and the sub-factors of BSI-18 was conducted to check the validity of the Korean Version of PCL-5. As a result, a positive correlation was seen with both K-PC-PTSD-5 and BSI-18. Fourth, a hierarchical multiple regression was performed to examine whether the Korean Version of PCL-5 predicts future PTSD, depression, anxiety, and somatization. As a result, the Korean Version of PCL-5 measured at time 1 significantly predicted PTSD, depression, anxiety, and somatization symptoms at time 2. Fifth, by analyzing the ROC curve, the discriminant power of PCL-5 for screening PTSD symptom groups was confirmed, and the best cut-off score was suggested. As a result of the longitudinal validation of Korean version of PCL-5, it was found that this scale is a reliable and valid measure for Korean adults. By looking into the predictive validity of the scale, it was found that the Korean version of PCL-5 can predict not only PTSD symptoms but also PTSD-related symptoms such as depression, anxiety, and somatization. Also, this study differs from previous validation studies measuring PTSD symptoms in that it suggested a cut-off score to help differentiate PTSD symptom groups.