• Korean Journal of Biological Psychiatry
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• v.17 no.4
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• pp.177-193
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• 2010

Significant advances have been made in understanding the biological underpinnings of post-traumatic stress disorder(PTSD), particularly in the field of genetics and neuroimaging. Association studies in candidate genes related with hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis, monoamines including serotonin, dopamine and noradrenaline, and proteins including FK506-binding protein 5 and brain-derived neurotrophic factor have provided important insights with regard to the vulnerability factors in PTSD. Genome-wide association studies and epigenetic studies may provide further information for the role of genes in the pathophysiology of PTSD. Hippocampus, medial prefrontal cortex, anterior cingulated cortex and amygdala have been considered as key structures that underlie PTSD pathophysiology. Future research that combines genetic and neuroimaging information may provide an opportunity for a more comprehensive understanding of PTSD.

• Anxiety and mood
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• v.6 no.1
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• pp.3-9
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• 2010

Even experienced clinicians have difficulties in diagnosing posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) exactly, due to its diverse clinical features, which vary according to individuals, traumas, and various comorbid psychopathologies, and its related compensation issues. It is usually mandatory for clinicians and researchers to use screening and assessment tools when diagnosing and evaluating PTSD. To date, research has developed numerous PTSD screening and assessment tools ; therefore one of the cardinal issues is to select the best of the various tools, the one most suitable for the clinician's or researcher's purposes. This article reviews several currently-available subjective and objective instruments for the diagnosis and evaluation of PTSD and groups them according to whether they are Diagnostic and Statistical Manual for Mental Disorders-Correspondent Measures ; PTSD-Focused, Non-DSM-Correspondent Measures ; or Empirically Derived Measures. We present the instruments' psychometric properties and scoring methods and describe their merits and weak points, focusing on their practical usage.

• Anxiety and mood
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• v.8 no.1
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• pp.50-54
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• 2012

Music therapy had been widely used in the area of psychiatry. However recently, participation of psychiatrist has been decreased, due to recent trends of emphasizing biological psychiatry and rapid effectiveness of pharmacotherapy. A 46 years old male PTSD patient was admitted to psychiatric ward. He has suffered from PTSD symptoms, such as intrusive distressing recollection of his past traffic accident, social avoidance, insomnia and depression. Music therapy, which is conducted by a psychiatrist and a music therapist, was applied. This case suggests the positive role of music therapy in treatment of PTSD and emphasizes the importance of participation of psychiatrist, as an organizer during music therapy.

• Anxiety and mood
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• v.15 no.1
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• pp.29-34
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• 2019

Objective : To determine predictors of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms in burn injured patients and evaluate factors for identifying high risk group of PTSD. Methods : This study examined sixty one patients aged in the range of 19-65 years with burn injuries. All subjects completed self-assessment inventories about PTSD (The PTSD Check List for DSM-5. PCL-5), depression (Patient Health Questionnaire-9, PHQ-9), embitterment (Posttraumatic embitterment disorder self-rating scale, PTED scale) and meaning of life (Meaning in Life Questionnaire, MLQ). Stepwise multiple regression and ROC curve analysis were the tools used for analysis. Results : The results revealed higher depression, embitterment and lower presence of meaning in life predicted severe PTSD symptoms. ROC analysis indicated PTED scale and PHQ-9 were useful for discriminating high risk group of PTSD. Conclusion : The present study established that the need to consider embitterment, depression and meaning of life for alleviation and prevention of PTSD symptoms in burn patients.

• Journal of Korean Public Health Nursing
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• v.33 no.2
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• pp.214-227
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• 2019

Purpose: This study examined the socio-demographic factors, the disaster related factors, the physical health related factors and the psychological factors of older adults exposed to natural disaster and these factors may possibly cause the occurrence of PTSD. Methods: A cross-sectional study was designed using the secondary data from the 3rd Disaster Victims Panel Survey (2012-2017). The data from 1,397 disaster victims were analyzed using descriptive statistics and logistic regression analysis. Results: Compared with the younger adult disaster victims, the elderly were more likely to have symptoms of PTSD (15.0% vs. 12.1%). Factors such as the number of years since being exposed to the disaster, anxiety, depression and social adjustment were significantly associated with occurrence of PTSD for both older and younger adults. Female gender was the additional risk factors for the older adults, while marital status, income, having witnessed another person's injury or death, and having lost a home were associated with the occurrence of PTSD. Conclusion: The elderly were more likely to develop PTSD as compared with younger adults. More targeted post-disaster mental health services to the elderly with the symptoms of depressive, anxiety and impaired social adjustments, should be provided to improve their mental health.

• Anxiety and mood
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• v.4 no.1
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• pp.42-48
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• 2008

Objective : Due to a better understanding of the pathophysiology of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and the relative limitations in the treatment of patients with PTSD, a variety of medications and treatment algorithms for PTSD have been investigated. This study was conducted to investigate the trends in the pharmacotherapy used in the treatment of inpatients with PTSD at a single university hospital in Korea. Methods : Data from 75 patients diagnosed with PTSD according to the DSM-IV criteria from January 1998 to December 2007 were collected. Demographic data and clinical data, including medications prescribed, were investigated. Results : Thirty-three of the 75 subjects included in this study were male, and 42 were female. Considering psychiatric comorbidity, depressive disorder, cognitive disorder, psychotic disorder and anxiety disorder were reported in order. Approximately 97% of the subjects were treated with antidepressants, including paroxetine in 54.7%, and 24% of the subjects were treated with two different kinds of antidepressants. In addition, atypical antipsychotics were prescribed in 33.3% of patients, mood stabilizers in 17.3%, and anxiolytics in 94.7% of the subjects. Conclusion : In our study, various kinds of antidepressants were prescribed for most patients with PTSD. Antipsychotics and mood stabilizers were added to the treatment regimens of some subjects, and anxiolytics were added to the treatment regimens of most subjects. Despite its many limitations, this study shows the prescription pattern and trends in PTSD treatment in Korea. We hope that these preliminary data would be helpful for the development and integration of a practical guideline for the treatment of PTSD in Korea.

• Anxiety and mood
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• v.8 no.2
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• pp.133-140
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• 2012

Objective : The aim of this study was to investigate how trauma and personality system was related by comparing TCI profiles of the trauma versus non-trauma groups and PTSD symptom positive (PTSD symptom [+] group) and PTSD symptom negative groups (PTSD symptom [-] group). Methods : We compared the difference of Temperament and Character Inventory (TCI) profiles between the trauma (n=61) and the non-trauma (n=61) groups, and between the PTSD symptom [+] group (n=40) and PTSD symptom [-] group (n=21). Results : Comparison of the TCI's seven higher dimensions between the PTSD symptom [+] and [-] groups showed significant differences only in C (Cooperativeness). And in the analysis of TCI's lower dimensions the significant differences were observed in the HA1 (Worry and pessimism), HA2 (Tension regarding uncertainty), and C4 (Compassion) subscales. However, significant differences in the higher dimensions appeared more clearly between the non-traumatized group and the traumatized group. Compared to the non-traumatized group, the traumatized group scored significantly higher in HA (Harm avoidance) and RD (Reward dependence), while lower in SD (Self-directedness). Conclusion : Overall, present results suggest that traumatic experiences may affect personality systems regardless of the development and of PTSD symptoms.

• The Journal of Korean Academic Society of Nursing Education
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• v.29 no.1
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• pp.86-97
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• 2023

Purpose: This study aimed to assess exposure to traumatic events, knowledge and attitudes concerning post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and the level of resilience among nurses and paramedics working in emergency departments. Methods: Data were collected from May 22 to June 12, 2022, using a self-administered survey questionnaire. The participants comprised 135 nurses and 80 paramedics working in emergency departments. The collected data were analyzed with descriptive statistics, a t-test, and an analysis of variance with Scheffé's test. Results: Compared with emergency room nurses, paramedics were more positive about the government's spending on job opportunities for people with PTSD. There were no significant differences in attitude regarding government strategies and people with PTSD between nurses and paramedics. Paramedics had higher scores on the effective treatment for PTSD, while emergency room nurses showed higher scores on effective psychotherapy. General knowledge of PTSD differed according to sex (t=-2.33, p=.021) and education level (F=3.21, p=.042). Resilience scores differed significantly according to sex (t=2.02, p=.045), education level (F=4.10, p=.018), self-reported economic state (F=10.34, p<.001), and self-reported health (F=11.57, p<.001). Conclusion: The findings support that emergency department nurses and paramedics are in need of self-care programs to support their mental health and indicate that intervention programs should be developed to enhance resilience in emergency department professionals.

• Korean Security Journal
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• no.56
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• pp.31-54
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• 2018

The objective of this study is to provide psychological welfare promotion method of police officers who experience trauma and PTSD due to police activity in local community while handling various accidents and protecting civil life and safety at the forefront of the national disaster accident site. For this objective, following countermeasure was presented through trauma/PTSD-related literature and in-depth interview with police officers who experienced trauma and PTSD. First, psychological examination is required to be performed positively and realistically for the police officers. As police officers have high emotional labor stress not only by physical burden but also by civil service, a regular psychological examination shall be established systematically together with physical rest. Second, proper action for the regular psychological examination result of the police officers is required. Third, a psychological support system for the police officers is required to be established and for this objective, expansion of police-operated mindful accompanying center and its devoted operation are required to be performed. Fourth, an opportunity of getting rid of stress of police officers shall be provided and for this objective, required budget for activating club activity is required to be allocated and activity condition should be created.

• Fire Science and Engineering
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• v.34 no.3
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• pp.126-133
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• 2020

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of unconditional self-acceptance and self-exposure of trainees on the post-traumatic growth and to develop a program to achieve post-traumatic growth beyond the previous level without suffering from psychopathological consequences such as post-traumatic stress disorder I wanted to help. For this purpose, unconditional self-acceptance, self-exposure, and Korean post-traumatic growth scale were used. First, it was confirmed that unconditional self-acceptance and self-exposure of firefighters are correlated with post-traumatic growth. Second, hierarchical regression analysis showed that unconditional self-acceptance has more influence on self-acceptance and post-traumatic growth than self-acceptance of firefighters. Based on the results of this study, we propose the program development and therapeutic intervention strategies to promote post-traumatic growth of firefighters.