• Food Science of Animal Resources
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• v.40 no.6
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• pp.1014-1032
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• 2020

This work aimed to investigate the psychobiotic effects of six bacterial strains on the mind and behavior of male Wistar rats. The probiotic (PRO) group (n=7) were rats pre-treated with antibiotics for 7 days followed by 14-day probiotic administration, antibiotics (ANT) group (n=7) were rats treated with antibiotics for 21 days without probiotics. The control (CON) group (n=7) were rats that received sham treatment for 21 days. The six bacterial strains with probiotic properties were mostly isolated from Thai fermented foods; Pedicoccus pentosaceus WS11, Lactobacillus plantarum SK321, L. fermentum SK324, L. brevis TRBC 3003, Bifidobacterium adolescentis TBRC 7154 and Lactococcus lactis subsp. lactis TBRC 375. The probiotics were freeze-dried into powder (6×10⁹ CFU/5 g) and administered to the PRO group via oral gavage. Behavioral tests were performed. The PRO group displayed significantly reduced anxiety level and increased locomotor function using a marble burying test and open field test, respectively and significantly improved short-term memory performance using a novel object recognition test. Antibiotics significantly reduced microbial counts in rat feces in the ANT group by 100 fold compared to the PRO group. Probiotics significantly enhanced antioxidant enzymatic and non-enzymatic defenses in rat brains as assessed using catalase activity and ferric reducing antioxidant power assay, respectively. Probiotics also showed neuroprotective effects with less pyknotic cells and lower frequency of vacuolization in cerebral cortex. This multi-strain probiotic formulation from Thai fermented foods may offer a potential to develop psychobiotic-rich functional foods to modulate human mind and behaviors.

• Journal of Korean Society of Forest Science
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• v.104 no.4
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• pp.657-667
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• 2015

This study examined the effectiveness of 'Forest Therapy (FT)' from the biological, neurocognitive and psychosocial perspectives. Adolescents who were classified as potential internet addicts took part in a FT program for two (once or twice) or three days. Before and after participating the program, Serum Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), Comprehensive Attention Test (CAT), Children's Depression Inventory (CDI), and State Anxiety Inventory (STAI) were measured. It was found that FT led to positive consequences, indicated by increased serum BDNF, improved CAT performance, reduced internet use desire, greater resilience, and better social relationship. In addition, FT was partially effective in alleviating state anxiety level, when the participants were classified in accordance with FT exposure lengths. Overall, this study provides evidence that FT reduces symptoms related to internet addiction and promotes various qualities required for well-being.

• Journal of the Korean earth science society
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• v.27 no.3
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• pp.260-268
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• 2006

Students' affective attitude not only influences their achievement in a meaningful way but is also an important educational goal in its own right. This research investigated how students' interest in science varies among elementary, middle, and high-school students based on surveys and reviews of previous research results. We analyzed students learning attitude in terms of (1) interest in and enjoyment of science, (2) instrumental motivation in science, (3) science learning anxiety, and (4) self-concept in science. Major findings are that students showed more negative attitudes in intrinsic motivation, instrumental motivation, value perception of science, and confidence in science as they move in to a higher school level. According to the students' explanation, science classes get boring in higher grades because of difficult contents, lack of experiments and activities, and the teachers' monotonous explanations. Based on the results, recommendations on how to improve students' attitudes towards science are suggested. First of all, we need to secure more science instructional hours in the school curriculum than the 7th national curriculum to implement improved science teaching and learning methods.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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• v.16 no.5
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• pp.3111-3120
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• 2015

This research analyzes the decision-making status of expected graduates depending on their Holland preference type, as well as the influence career worries have on vocational decision status. By discovering this mediating effect, career counselors can carry out counseling based on the variety of career worries college students have, further supporting self-actualization of the client. As the previous studies on group counseling programs and the effects of career counseling have not yet considered the difference between various types of career worries and carried out identical programs and counseling method, this study is significant in marking the emergence of differentiated counseling intervention and strategy for more effective career counseling. This research is based on a survey conducted on 606 expected graduates attending six 4-year universities in Seoul, Gyeonggi, Chungcheong areas. The students surveyed are in the second semester of their senior (4th)years, during two weeks from november 4, 2013. First, the results showed that the level of career worries and the type of career worries differed between college students that have different types of Holland preference, and such difference was meaningful. Second, examination on the influences that career worries have on different vocational decisions depending on Holland preference types, found that the state of anxiety-free and anxiety toward career and dependence, as one of vocational decision types, together work as mediators. In conclusion, the significance of this research lies on that it reveals the mediating effects that career worries have on vocational decision status of college students.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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• v.20 no.2
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• pp.605-621
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• 2019

The purpose of this study was to develop and validate the Korean version of the Classism Attitude Scale for college students (K-CAS) that measures stereotypes and prejudices about socioeconomic class(SES). In study 1, preliminary items were developed through reviewing classism related theories and literatures, analyzing qualitative data by using Consensus Qualitative Method-modified(CQR-M) and getting experts' consultation. With 440 college students data, exploratory factor analysis and reliability analysis were conducted with 14 items in study 1. In study 2, a confirmatory factor analysis and validity analysis were conducted with 400 college students. As a result, two factor structures, upper classism attitude and downward classism attitude, were confirmed. With the higher level of test-retest reliability, the criterion validity was confirmed by the significant correlations among age, subjective SES, the general belief in a just world, negative affects (depression and anxiety), hostility, and K-CAS. The incremental validity was also confirmed that K-CAS scores significantly accounted for 5% of total variation in scores of negative affects(depression and anxiety) in addition to the variables, such as age, subjective SES, house income, and the general belief in the just world. The result of this study is significant in that the developed and validated K-CAS in this study can be a useful tool for further research and prevention and intervention program development related to classism.

• Anxiety and mood
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• v.15 no.2
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• pp.109-114
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• 2019

Objective : The purpose of this study was to investigate changes in the satisfaction levels and mental health among North Korean defectors over two years. Methods : At the beginning of the study, the subjects were comprised of 300 North Korean defectors registered with a regional adaptation center (the Hana Center) in South Korea. Participants reported self-questionnaires including socio-demographic variables and self-rating scales for satisfaction levels, depression symptoms, trauma-related symptoms, resilience and alcohol use behavior. In the follow up study after two years, 189 North Korean defectors participated in an online survey, responding to the same questionnaires as at baseline. Results : The self-rated scores for satisfaction with one's overall life (p=0.008), sense of autonomy (p=0.001), sense of physical health (p<0.001), and expected life satisfaction five years later (p<0.001) had all decreased significantly at follow-up after two years. Depression symptoms (p<0.01) and trauma-related symptoms (p<0.001) increased significantly over two years, and the resilience score (p<0.01) decreased significantly during the same period. No significant differences in alcohol use behavior (p=0.059) were observed at follow-up. Conclusion : Satisfaction levels among North Korean defectors gradually decreased over the follow-up period, and this may be due to the difficulties encountered in the process of assimilating to daily life in South Korea. Economic, medical, and psychological support is needed for successful assimilation of North Korean defectors.

• The Journal of the Convergence on Culture Technology
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• v.8 no.1
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• pp.349-359
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• 2022

The purpose of this study is to add and revalidate items of learning cognition and learning emotion factors for online use of the K-LSS for junior college. It is important for self-reflection and improvement of academic achievement to specifically explore and analyze the sub-factors of learning cognition, learning behavior, and learning emotion for each item that can affect the learning strategy of junior college students. The added items are two items for diagnosing the concentration of attention in the learning information processing process of the learning cognitive factor and two questions about the interpersonal anxiety factor for diagnosing the level of anxiety about others in the learning emotional factor. The study area was conducted in 5 areas nationwide, and the subjects of the study were 923 junior college students excluding 327 respondents who answered insincerity. The K-LSS_r scale is a learning strategy diagnosis scale of 52 questions composed of three sub-elements of learning cognition (18 questions), learning emotion (15 questions), and learning behavior (19 questions), and reliability for generalization in this study. As a result of the verification, Cronbach's α coefficient of the entire scale was .896, and Cronbach's α coefficient of the three factors ranged from .876 to .910. The half-segment reliability coefficient of the scale was .858 in total, and the half-segment reliability coefficients of the three factors ranged from .792 to .843. The test-retest reliability verification result for 3 weeks for 350 Junior college Students in 5 regions was .884, and the validity test for generalization also confirmed that the recruitment validity is significant.

• Korean Journal of Culture and Social Issue
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• v.28 no.4
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• pp.597-625
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• 2022

This study aimed to examine the hypothesis that intrapersonal, interpersonal, and environmental self-awareness would alleviate the association between sSchadenfreude and cyberbullying. 300 middle and high school students answered survey questionnaires including sSchadenfreude, cyberbullying behavior, (intrapersonal. interpersonal, and environmental) self-awareness, depression, and anxiety. After controlling depression and anxiety, theThe results reveal that first, Schadenfreude predicts cyberbullying behavior, so those who have a high level of Schadenfreude commit more online cyberbullying behavior. Second, intrapersonal and interpersonal self-awareness moderated the association between schadenfreude and cyberbullying, and those who were above average on intrapersonal and interpersonal self-awareness were more liable to commit cyberbullying, but those below average did not show a significant moderation effect. Third, whereas environmental self-awareness did not show a significant moderation effect. Specifically, those who know well what they think and do and what they look like in interpersonal relationships perpetrate more cyberbullying when their schadenfreude was high. However, knowing well about what was happening around them was not related to the likelihood of schadenfreude that lead to cyberbullying. The results of this study revealed that Schadenfreude, which deals with emotions on expecting the misfortune of others and the possibility of having antisocial characteristics, lead to actual cyberbullying behaviors of adolescents. Also, this study identified that intrapersonal and interpersonal self-awareness are harmful in causing cyberbullying in those with high Schadenfreude. Finally, the implication and the limitation of this study were discussed.

• Korean Journal of Culture and Social Issue
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• v.29 no.3
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• pp.405-427
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• 2023

This study aimed to identify demographic variables(gender, age group, occupation, living arrangement, economic level, respiratory and chronic diseases, previous medical history), COVID-19 variables(COVID-19 prevention behavior, frequent use of media to obtain COVID-19 information), and psychological behavioral variables(depression, anxiety, loneliness, and increased drinking). From February to March 2021, an online survey of adults was conducted, and a total of 1,434 data were used for analysis. 260 out of 1,434 people were confirmed to have suicide ideation, the prevalence of suicide ideation among adults during the COVID-19 was 18.1%. Logistic regression analyses indicated elevated odds of suicidal ideation among individuals in their 20s and 30s, those living alone, exhibiting fewer COVID-19 preventive behaviors, consuming COVID-19 information more frequently through media, and reporting higher levels of loneliness. Furthermore, within the group experiencing depression, anxiety, and increased drinking, greater levels of these factors correlated with higher odds of suicidal ideation. Based on the results, implications and significance of the study were discussed.

• Anxiety and mood
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• v.19 no.2
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• pp.77-82
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• 2023

Objective : During the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, hospital avoidance had a significant impact on public health. We investigated the factors associated with hospital avoidance and explored practical strategies hospitals could employ to address this phenomenon. Methods : We conducted a patient experience survey in a general hospital in Korea during the COVID-19 pandemic. Between July 6, 2020, and July 20, 2020, a total of 842 patients who had previously visited hospitals before the COVID-19 outbreak participated. Self-reported hospital avoidance, factors associated with hospital avoidance, and satisfaction with the hospital's infection control policies were the main outcomes. Binary logistic regression analysis was used to identify associated factors. Results : Data indicated that 29.9% (n=252) of the respondents avoided visiting the hospital after the COVID-19 outbreak. Satisfaction with the hospital infection control policy (odds ratio [OR]=2.297, p<0.001), female sex (OR=1.619, p<0.05), and higher educational level (OR=1.884, p<0.001) were associated with hospital avoidance. The "entrance body temperature check" was the most satisfactory policy among the hospital's infection control policies. Conclusion : To manage hospital avoidance during an infectious disease crisis, targeted policies for at-risk groups and hospital policies to reassure and satisfy patients are needed.