• Journal of Oriental Neuropsychiatry
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• v.22 no.3
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• pp.75-85
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• 2011

Objectives : In this case report, we will present three patients diagnosed with acute stress disorder or post-traumatic stress disorder improved by application of oriental medical treatments. Methods : We treated three patients with acute stress disorder or post-traumatic stress disorder by oriental medical treatments. The effect of oriental medical treatments were evaluated by STAI and clinical symptoms such as anxiety, insomnia, palpitation, startle response. Results : As a result of oriental treatments, clinical symptoms such as anxiety, insomnia, palpitation, startle response were improved, and STAI scores also decreased. Conclusions : These results suggest that oriental treatments may have an effect on acute stress disorder and post-traumatic stress disorder.

• Anxiety and mood
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• v.14 no.1
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• pp.1-6
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• 2018

Objective : This study aimed at investigating the relationship between exposure frequency of job related trauma types and the PTSD symptoms severity of firefighters, in relation to the moderating effect that anger rumination plays in the association between those of them. Methods : We examined data from 116 firefighters from Gyeonggi-do. The following instruments were applied: the Life Events Checklist (LEC), the Korean version of the Anger Rumination Scale (K-ARS) and the Primary Care PTSD screen (PC-PTSD). Results : A higher exposure frequency of job related trauma types was associated with severe PTSD symptoms; we discovered, however, that anger rumination exacerbated their relationship. Conclusion : This study showed that anger rumination is one of the variables to exacerbate PTSD symptoms in firefighters. Therefore, the study emphasizes the need to consider the level of anger rumination when running a program to predict or mitigate PTSD symptoms in firefighters.

• The Korean Journal of Emergency Medical Services
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• v.18 no.3
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• pp.53-62
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• 2014

Purpose: This study aimed to investigate duty-related incidental stress, coping method, and stress factors in 133 new firefighters. Methods: A self-reported questionnaire was administrated to 133 new firefighters between April and May 2010. It consisted of 33 and 62 items concerning duty-related incident stress and coping methods, respectively. Data were analyzed by using the t-test, analysis of variance, Pearson correlation coefficient analysis, and multiple regression analysis. Results: New firefighters experienced the most stress when inappropriately dispatched. Duty-related incidental stress correlated with active (r = .420, p < .001) and passive coping (r = .450, p < .001). Also active coping statistically correlated with passive coping (r = .890, p < .001). Influencing factors of duty-related incidental stress were passive coping (t = 2.12, p < .05), experience of having a co-worker in a dangerous situation (t = 3.30, p < .001), having less than 6 months of work experience (t = 2.30, p < .05), and experience of having oneself in a dangerous situation (t = 2.05, p < .05). Conclusion: New firefighters need to be provided with training on active coping to prevent posttraumatic stress disorders and, social support immediately after an inappropriate and stressful dispatch.

• Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing
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• v.47 no.3
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• pp.319-331
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• 2017

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to develop a scale to evaluate posttraumatic growth in patients with cancer and to examine the validity and reliability of the scale. Methods: A literature review, semi-structured patient interviews and an expert panel consultation produced a 27 preliminary item questionnaire. Participants were 150 cancer patients recruited to test the reliability and validity of the preliminary scale. Data were analyzed using item analysis, exploratory factor analysis, convergent validity and internal consistency. Results: Item reduction and exploratory factor analysis led to 23 items, grouped into five subscales which were labelled new possibilities (6 items), coping skills (5 items), preciousness of life (5 items), relating to others (4 items), and personal strength (3 items). Convergent validity was evaluated by total correlation with the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-General (r=.45, p<.001). The final scale demonstrated satisfactory internal consistency (Cronbach's ${\alpha}$ =.94). Conclusion: Findings from this study indicate that the Cancer-Specific Posttraumatic Growth Inventory has validity and reliability and is considered to be appropriate for assessing posttraumatic growth in patients with cancer.

• Anxiety and mood
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• v.2 no.1
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• pp.33-38
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• 2006

Objectives : Since prostitution is multitraumatic phenomena, it is known that most women in prostitution have symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and other mental illness. In Korea, new anti-prostitution law launched in the year of 2004 imposes protecting prostituted victims at government-supported shelter. The objective of this study was to compare the mental symptoms, especially PTSD features of women who escaped from prostitution with those of control subjects. Methods : We assessed 113 ex-prostituted women who live in shelter for 8 months on the average and 65 normal control subjects. Demographic data, questionnaire for sleep, physical illness, smoking, alcohol and drug use, Stress Response Inventory, Davidson Trauma Scale (DTS), Impact of Event Scale-Revised (IES-R) were used. Results : Ex-prostituted women had significantly higher scores of DTS, IES-R, stress related responses, sleep problems, smoking problems, and alcohol problems than control group. Age and duration of sex trade of the subjects were significantly correlated with the severity or frequency of PTSD symptoms. The degree of smoking, alcohol drinking and sleep problems were also significantly correlated with the PTSD symptoms. Conclusion : These results suggested mental symptoms did not disappear even after women escaped from prostitution.

• Proceedings of the KAIS Fall Conference
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• 2009.05a
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• pp.18-23
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• 2009

지난 50여년간 국가유공자 및 제대군인의 보상은 전쟁 및 군복무중 발생한 상이처로 인해 장애를 입은 자를 중심으로 보상해 왔으며, 군 복무 중 발생한 질병의 보상에 대해서는 아직까지 심도 있게 논의된바 없다. 우선 한국의 군복무와 관련한 질병 보상과 관련한 본격적인 논의에 앞서 중요하게 고려되야 할 부분은 우리보다 100여년 이상 앞서 연구해 왔고 지금까지도 활발히 진행중인 미국의 질병 보상 제도와 질병 인정범위에 대해 분석해볼 필요성이 제기된다. 미국의 군복무와 관련한 질병에 관한 최초 보상의 역사는 1800년대로 군복무와 관련한 질병에 관한 대표적인 최초의 보상 질환은 PTSD(Post Traumatic Stress Disorder)의 초기 형태인 향수병(nostalgia)으로 이 질환이 군복무와 연관된 질환으로 인정받은 최초 질병이었다. 미국의 경우 미국의 군복무와 관련된 질환은 직접질환과 추정 질환으로 분류되는데 먼저 군복무 직접 질환의 경우 질병 보상이 되는 대표적 질환은 고혈압, 당뇨, 빈혈, 동맥경화증, 관절염, 심장염, 간질, 신장염, 정신병, 활동성 결핵, 위궤양 등 거의 모든 질환이 포함되어 있다. 특히, 정신병 흡연과 음주에 의한 질환 자살도 남에게 피해를 주지 않은 경우는 대부분 보상이 된다. 이상 살펴본 바와 같이 선진국에 비해 한국의 군복무와 관련한 질병보상 범위와 너무도 상이한데 국가유공자예우에 관한 법률 시행령 제 14조에 의거 1급부터 7급까지 등급판정을 부여하는데 이는 대부분 외상에 의한 절단, 관통상, 신체 기능상실자를 위주로 보상을 하고 있어 외상과의 합병증이 없는 질병에 대한 보상은 실질적으로 거의 인정을 받지 못하고 있는 실정이다. 끝으로 군복무와 관련한 질병 보상과 의료, 복지증진을 위한 종합적인 발전 방안을 몇가지 제언코자 한다. 첫째, 제대군인 질병연구센타 설립. 둘째, 정신질환, 외상후 스트레스장애군(PTSD), 진행성 질환 무상의료 지원 및 연금지급 셋째, 고엽제 2세환자의 역학조사가 필요하다.

• Anxiety and mood
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• v.6 no.1
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• pp.37-44
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• 2010

Objectives : This study investigated the influence of traumatic experience on the ego identity, self-esteem, and general psychopathology of adolescent North Korean refugees. Methods : The participants were 146 adolescents North Korean refugees who attended H High School for North Korean refugees. We divided the subjects into two groups according to the severity of their traumatic experience : the more-traumatic-experience group and the less-traumatic-experience group. Each group performed self-report assessments including an assessment to reveal demographic characteristics, the Traumatic Experiences Scale for North Korean Defectors, the Scale for Ego identity, the Scale for Self-esteem and the Symptom Check-90-Revision (SCL-90-R). Statistical analysis of t-test and multiple regression utilized SPSS 12.0 for Window for comparison between more-traumatic-experience group and less-traumatic-experience group. Results : The prevalence of posttraumatic stress disorder among adolescents North Korean refugees was 37%. The factor with the greatest influence on ego identity was length of time living in South Korea, while, for self-esteem the most influential factor was perception of health. The more-traumatic-experience group had lower self-esteem scores on some subscales of the Scale for Ego identity. They had higher scores on all SCL-90-R subscales than the less-traumatic-experience group. Conclusion : Adolescent North Korean refugees experienced high rates of posttraumatic stress disorder. The more traumatic-experience-group had lower self esteem and poorer ego identity and mental health than the less-traumatic-experience group.

• Journal of East-West Nursing Research
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• v.28 no.2
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• pp.170-178
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• 2022

Purpose: This study aimed to identify the factors influencing post-traumatic stress disorder in intensive care unit nurses in dedicated hospitals for coronavirus disease of 2019 (COVID-19) during the peak of the outbreak. Methods: This study used a cross-sectional correlational design. A total of 100 participants completed questionnaires comprising the Impact of Event Scale-Revised (IES-R), coping strategy indicator, social support, and post-traumatic growth. Post-traumatic stress disorder was classified as normal, mild risk, and high risk. Data were analyzed using 𝛘² test, Fisher's exact test, Kruskal-Wallis test with multiple comparison analysis, Pearson correlation coefficient, and multinominal logistic regression analysis. Results: Fifty seven nurses (57.0%) had a high risk of post-traumatic stress. Higher levels of post traumatic stress were associated with higher levels of social support seeking, and higher levels of avoidance, and lower levels of social support from supervisors. Higher post traumatic growth was correlated with higher social support for seeking coping, and problem solving coping strategies, and social support from supervisors and colleagues. Post-traumatic stress risk was associated with social support seeking and supervisors' social support. In addition, a higher risk of post-traumatic stress was related to COVID-19 work duration and supervisors' social support. Conclusion: Supportive programs, including increasing social support and building coping skills, may be suggested to safeguard the mental health of critical care nurses during the pandemic.

• Journal of Korean Biological Nursing Science
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.1-16
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• 2022

Purpose: Recently, oxytocin has been introduced experimentally as a pharmacological treatment for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). This study attempted to investigate the possibility of oxytocin as a treatment option for patients with PTSD by examining its dose, interval, and effectiveness in patients with PTSD. Methods: A systematic review was done on articles published from 1967 to 2020 using the PubMed, PsycINFO, and Cochrane databases. Our inclusion criteria were 1) subjects 18 years of age or older diagnosed with PTSD or exposed to a traumatic event that met criterion A of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) for PTSD, 2) oxytocin was administered at least once, 3) clinical trials, and 4) studies published in Korean or English. Two independent researchers reviewed 22 articles and recorded the contents. The risk of bias was evaluated to determine the quality of the reviewed article. Results: The parameters for evaluating the effectiveness of oxytocin were identified as socio-behavioral measures in 11 articles, neuronal imaging in 9, and biomarkers in 4. In 5 papers, oxytocin was administered multiple times. Socio-behavioral measures were improved in 3 out of 5 studies in which oxytocin was administered multiple times. In 2 studies in which prolonged exposure treatment and nasal oxytocin administration were combined for 10 weeks, patient symptoms were decreased compared to the control group. Conclusion: The possibility of oxytocin as an adjuvant treatment for PTSD psychotherapy was confirmed. Further studies are necessary to evaluate the long term effectiveness of administering oxytocin multiple times combined with psychotherapy.

• Korean Journal of Culture and Social Issue
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• v.23 no.2
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• pp.215-237
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• 2017

Most research on medical accidents is related to medical disputes and malpractice of relief system. Therefore, there is a lack of research which explores the psychological experiences of patients injured by medical accidents. The purpose of this study was to investigate Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) of patients harmed by medical accidents and to examine the moderating role of social support on the relationship between clinicians' explanation and attitude and PTSD symptoms. A total of 180 patients were drawn from a medical accident organization and online communities related to medical accidents. Results showed that 171 (95%) of the subjects experienced full PTSD symptoms and their severity of the PTSD Symptoms was as high as those who experienced other severe traumatic events. Though the main effect of clinician's explanation and attitude on PTSD symptoms was not significant, the moderating effect of social support was significant in the relationship between clinicians' explanation and attitude and PTSD symptoms. In other words, when the level of social support was low, the poorer the explanation and attitude of clinicians, the more severe the symptoms of PTSD. Drawing from these results, psychological, social, and institutional strategies were suggested to alleviate and prevent PTSD symptoms of patients injured by medical accidents. Finally, limitations of this study and suggestions for future research were discussed.