• Korean Journal of Psychosomatic Medicine
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• v.20 no.1
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• pp.40-49
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• 2012

Objectives : To examine emotional and psychological characteristics associated with suicide attempts in depressed patients. Methods : A sample of 37 inpatients diagnosed with major depressive disorder or depressive disorder NOS was divided into two groups : lifetime suicide attempters(N=15 ; 40.54%), non-attempters(N=22 ; 59.46%). Beck Depression Scale(BDI), Beck Anxiety Scale(BAI), Hamilton Depression Rating Scale(HDRS), Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale(HARS), and MMPI-2 were used to evaluate symptoms severity and psychological characteristics. Results : Suicide attempters scored higher on the BDI though there were no group differences on the HDRS and on the both anxiety scales. Also they showed higher scores on the F, Fb, Pa, RC1, DEP, HEA, PK, AAS among MMPI-2 subscales. Our findings suggest that suicide attempters among depressed patients undergo more severe subjective distress and difficulties in adjustment than non-attempters. Also they were more hostile to others and showed lower trust. Lastly, they showed more somatic complaints and substance related problems. Conclusion : The present study showed that suicide attempters among depressed patients have distinct emotional and psychological characteristics. MMPI-2 would be helpful to assess suicidal risk of depressed patients.

• Anxiety and mood
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.17-25
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• 2022

Objective : The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence of anxiety symptoms and its association with psychological factors in patients with hypertension. Methods : The Participants included 124 patients with hypertension. Anxiety symptoms were evaluated by the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale. Socio-demographics, perceived stress, state-trait anger, life satisfaction, and ego resiliency were assessed. Stepwise multiple regression analyses were carried out to examine the impact of perceived stress, state-trait anger, and life satisfaction on anxiety symptoms. In addition, moderated regression analysis was performed to explore the moderating effect of ego resiliency between perceived stress and anxiety symptoms. Results : A total of 17 subjects (13.7%) were identified as having anxiety symptoms. Higher perceived stress and state-trait anger, and lower life satisfaction were found to be significant correlates of anxiety symptoms. In the final model, higher levels of perceived stress (β=0.378, p<0.001) and trait anger (β=0.320, p<0.001) were related to higher levels of anxiety symptoms, while a higher level of life satisfaction (β=-0.166, p=0.025) was associated with a lower level of anxiety symptoms. Further, ego resiliency buffered the negative effect of perceived stress on anxiety symptoms. Conclusion : This study demonstrated the prevalence of anxiety symptoms and associated psychological factors among patients with hypertension. Our findings suggest that improving life satisfaction and ego-resiliency as well as controlling stress and anger may be important in the management of anxiety symptoms in patients with hypertension.

• The Journal of the Korea Contents Association
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• v.17 no.6
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• pp.490-503
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• 2017

The purpose of this study was to identify the effect of choice theory focus group work on improving housewives' mental health. To achieve this goal. the book 'Warning: Psychiatry can be hazardous to your mental health' was utilized as a media to educate and debate. The subjects for the study were 24 housewives divided by 2 group. The instrument utilized were the Korean versions of Trait Anger Scale, Trait Anxiety Scale, Beck Depression Inventory, and Psychological Well-Being Scale. The participants were asked to complete the instruments before, after and in 5 weeks after the program. The results were as follows: First, Choice Theory Focus Group Work decreased trait anger, trait anxiety and depression compared to control group. Second, Choice Theory Focus Group Work increased Psychological Well-Being Scale compared to control group. The effect of the program was significant in improving mental health of the housewives and the effect was maintained up to 5 weeks after the program. The results of this study implied that Choice Theory Focus Group Work could be effective in improving mental health.

• Anxiety and mood
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• v.14 no.1
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• pp.36-43
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• 2018

Objective : There is an increasing number of people are not satisfied with their appearance and shape. Therefore, assessment tools are needed to evaluate the appearance or body shape. This study investigated the reliability and validity of a Korean version of the Body Shape Questionnaire (BSQ). Methods : Participants completed the BSQ, Body Dysmorphic Disorder Examination-Self Report, Eating Disorder Inventory-2, Beck Depression Inventory, Self-Esteem Scale, State-Trait Anger Expression Inventory, and State-Trait Anxiety Inventory. Results : The Korean version of BSQ presented satisfactory test-retest reliability, internal consistency and validity. Exploratory factor analysis yielded four factors as follow: feeling fat, shame and inferiority about one's body shape, attitudes concerning body image perception, and purging behavior. Conclusion : These results show the Korean BSQ exhibits good psychometric properties and can accurately evaluate the body shape concerns among Korean adults.

• Korean Journal of Adult Nursing
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• v.16 no.1
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• pp.90-101
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• 2004

Purpose: The purpose was to examine the effectiveness of a psychosocial stress management program on stress and coping in student nurses. Method: A nonequivalent control group pre-posttest design was used. A convenience sample of 24 students from the Department of Nursing, Wonju College of Medicine, Yonsei University were assigned to experimental (n=12) and control groups(n=12). Stress was measured using the Visual Analog Scale (10 points) and blood cortisol. Coping was measured using a scale modified by So (1995) based on the Ways of Coping Checklist developed by Folkman and Lazarus (1985). Depression was measured using the CES-D by Radloff (1977) and state anxiety, using the State Anxiety Inventory by Spielberger (1976). The psychosocial stress management program included education, relaxation (Korean Dan Jeon-typed Breathing and music), and social support. Result: Results showed for the two groups, 1) a significant difference in stress scores (U= 19.50, p=0.002), 2) no difference in cortisol levels (8am, 4pm), 3) a significant difference in problem-focused coping (U=25.50, =0.007), 4) no difference in emotion-focused coping, and 5) no difference in state anxiety and depression. Conclusion: By utilizing the program, students were able to learn how to control their stress and improve their coping. Therefore with a partial modification, psychosocial stress management can be useful for continual management of stress in student nurses.

• Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing
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• v.46 no.3
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• pp.420-430
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• 2016

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to test a hypothetical model of chemotherapy-related cognitive impairment (CRCI) and depression in people with gastrointestinal cancer. Methods: A purposive sample of 198 patients undergoing chemotherapy was recruited from November 2014 to July 2015. The instruments were Everyday Cognition (ECog), Hospital Anxiety Depression Scale (HADS), Functional Assessment of Chronic Illness Therapy-Fatigue (FACIT-F), and M. D. Anderson Symptom Inventory-Gastrointestinal Cancer Module. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, correlation, and path analysis. Results: CRCI was directly affected by cancer symptoms (${\beta}=.19$, p=.004) and fatigue (${\beta}=.56$, p<.001)($R^2=47.2%$). Depression was directly affected by fatigue (${\beta}=.48$, p<.001) and CRCI (${\beta}=.27$, p<.001). However, The impact of cancer symptoms on depression was confirmed through the mediating effect of CRCI. Conclusion: Results indicate that in patients with gastrointestinal cancer undergoing chemotherapy along with the direct physiologic effects (fatigue, symptoms) of cancer treatment may have altered cognitive function leading to depression.

• Korean Journal of Psychosomatic Medicine
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• v.28 no.1
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• pp.20-28
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• 2020

Objectives : The aim of this study was to compare psychosocial characteristics of the functional gastrointestinal disorders FGID group, non-FGID group, and control group and determine factors affecting the QOL of patients with FGID. Methods : 135 patients diagnosed with FGID were selected. 79 adults had no observable symptoms of FGID (control group) and 88 adults showed symptoms of FGID (non-FGID group). Demographic factors were investigated. The Korean-Beck Depression Inventory-II, Korean-Beck Anxiety Inventory, Korean-Childhood Trauma Questionnaire, Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support, Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale, Patient Health Questionnaire-15 and WHO Quality of Life Assessment Instrument Brief Form were used to assess psychosocial factors. A one-way ANOVA was used to compare differences among groups. Pearson correlation test was performed to analyze the correlation of psychosocial factors and QOL of the FGID group. Further, a hierarchical regression analysis was conducted to determine factors affecting the QOL of the FGID group. Results : Between-group differences were not significant in demographic characteristics. Depression (F=48.75, p<0.001), anxiety (F=14.48, p<0.001), somatization (F=24.42, p<0.001) and childhood trauma (F=12.71, p<0.001) were significantly higher in FGID group than in other groups. Social support (F=39.95, p<0.001) and resilience (F=17.51, p<0.001) were significantly lower in FGID group than in other groups. Resilience (β=0.373, p<0.01) was the most important explanatory variable. The explained variance was 47.2%. Conclusions : Significantly more symptoms of depression, anxiety, childhood trauma, and somatization were observed for the FGID group. This group also had less social support, resilience, and quality of life than the non-FGID and control groups. The key factor for quality of life of the FGID group was resilience.

• Journal of the Korean Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry
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• v.5 no.1
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• pp.83-92
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• 1994

Paroxetine is a potent and selective serotoin re-uptake inhibitor. It is well known as an effective and safe antidepressant and increasingly used for neurotic or non-psychotic depression with anxiety symptoms. The present study assessed antidepressant and antianxiety efficacy and tolerability of paroxetine against placebo in child-adolescent and adult depressive neurosis patients. 232 subjects aged 8-55 years and meeting DSM-III-R criteria for depressive neurosis or dysthymia were divided into 8 subgroups according to their sex and age(8-11 yeard old, 12-17 years old, 18-35 years old and 36-55 years old subgroup in each male and female group). In each subgroup, the randomly assigned half of the patients were treated with paroxetine(10-30mg/day) and the others with placebo for the first 2 weeks in double blind fashion. After 1 week of drug-washout period, paroxetine and placebo groups were crossed over. The depression and anxiety symptoms were assessed with Hamilton Depression Scale(HDS) and Hamilton Anxiety Scale(HAS) at baseline and every 1 week during the trial periods. The levels of reduction in HDS and HAS scores from baseline after 2-week trial were compared between paroxetine- and placebo- treated periods by paired t-test. In all the 8 subgroups, statistically significant differences between paroxetine and placebo were found on the antidepressant efficacy after 2-week treatment. The antidepressant efficacy of paroxetine compared to placebo was most prominent in child and adolescent female groups. On anxiety symptoms, paroxetine was also significantly more effective than placebo. The antianxiety efficacy of paroxetine compared to placebo was most prominent in male and female child groups and young adult female group aged 18-35 years. As for the adverse effects of paroxetine, 3 out of 232 subjects reported mild indigestion and abdominal pain. however, in all the 3 cases, the symptoms improved without reduction of dosage or discontinuation of the drug. In conclusion, paroxetine showed significantly higher antidepressant and antianxiety efficacy compared to placebo in child-adolescent and adult depressive neurosis patients after 2-week treatment. Further trials of paroxetine in depressive neurosis are warranted to elucidate the long-term antidepressant and antianxiety efficacy of paroxetine.

• Korean Journal of Psychosomatic Medicine
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• v.29 no.1
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• pp.58-66
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• 2021

Objectives : The purpose of this study is to compare the psychosocial characteristics of patients diagnosed with functional gastrointestinal disorder (FGID) by classifying them into irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), functional dyspepsia (FD), functional constipation (FC), functional heartburn (FH) groups, and overlap group (two or more functional diseases) and to examine the factors associated with the quality of life (QoL) of patients with FGID. Methods : A total of 144 patients who were diagnosed with FGID were selected as the subjects. The demographical factors were investigated; Korean-Beck Depression Inventory-II (K-BDI-II), Korean-Beck Anxiety Inventory (K-BAI), Korean version of Childhood Trauma Questionnaire (K-CTQ), Multi-dimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support (MSPSS), Korean Version of Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale (K-CD-RISC), and World Health Organization Quality of Life Assessment Instrument Brief Form (WHOQOL-BREF) were used to evaluate the psychosocial factors. Results : TThe overlap group had a significantly higher K-BDI-II score (F=11.09, p<0.001) and K-BAI score (F=8.93, p<0.001) compared to other groups. In childhood trauma, the IBS patients had a difference in emotional neglect (F=2.54, p=0.04) than the FD patients. The QoL of FGID patients had a negative correlation with depression (r=-0.196, p<0.01), anxiety (r=-0.235, p<0.01), and childhood trauma (r=-0.222, p<0.01), and a positive correlation with social support (r=0.512, p<0.01) and resilience (r=0.581, p<0.01). Conclusions : Overlap group had a higher level of depression and anxiety, and the IBS patient group had a higher level of emotional neglect than the FD patient group in terms of childhood trauma.

• Anxiety and mood
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• v.5 no.1
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• pp.14-20
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• 2009

Objective : The objective of this study was to examine the relationship between plasma serotonin concentration and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms in chronic PTSD patients who have been taking medication. Methods : Plasma serotonin level of 14 PTSD patients and a control group of 28 Vietnam War veterans was measured by HPLC (high performance liquid chromatography). The Combat Exposure Scale (CES), Mississippi Scale for Combat-Related Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (M-PTSD), Clinician Administered PTSD Scale (CAPS), Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression (HRSD), and Hamiltion Anxiety Scale (HAS) were used to evaluate PTSD symptom severity. Results : Serotonin level was significantly higher in the PTSD group than in the control group (p=0.036, p=0.006, respectively). M-PTSD (p<0.001), CAPS (p<0.001), HRSD (p<0.001), and HAS (p<0.001) scale scores were significantly higher in the PTSD group than in the control group; however, the CES score failed to show a significant improvement (p=0.964). There were no significant differences between plasma serotonin and PTSD symptoms. Conclusion : In chronic PTSD patients who have been taking medications, we can not predict treatment effect and symptom severity by measuring only plasma serotonin levels. PTSD is a complicated disorder which may likely be related to a variety of neurotransmitter systems. Therefore, further research which investigate relationships with norepinephrine, dopamine, and other neurotransmitters as well as serotonin is needed to improve the treatment of PTSD.