• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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• v.12 no.11
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• pp.5027-5033
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• 2011

The purpose of this study was to analyze a qualitative research on the essential structure of the acculturation of North Korean defectors, who settled in South Korea. The participants in this study were nine North Korean defectors who had resided in the city of D, South Korea, for three years or more after defecting from North Korea. After an in-depth interview, collected data were analyzed by applying Colaizzi's phenomenological method. As a result, their acculturation were classified into three categories : 'heterogeneity coming from different cultures', 'undergoing various sufferings after defection', and 'trying to tide over the difficulties in the actuality'. And 11 clusters of theme were selected. It's basically meant in this study to find out problems North Korean Defectors encountered and their process of overcoming the difficulties in an effort to step up the acculturation of the new settlers and ease their difficulties. And it's suggested that adjustment programs should be provided for them to fit into South Korean society.

• Journal of Music and Human Behavior
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• v.20 no.1
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• pp.21-46
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• 2023

The purpose of this study was to review the literature on music intervention research with North Korean defectors, focusing on posttraumatic growth. Eleven research papers were searched and selected to examine their general characteristics, intervention content, and therapeutic basis of music interventions for North Korean defectors. The investigated variables were related to posttraumatic growth-related aspects in changes in individuals, intervention goals, measurement tools, outcomes depending on developmental stages of the participants. The analysis showed that music provided a safe and familiar environment, which facilitated voluntary participation. Through music interventions, it was confirmed that individuals were able to discover their inner strength, leading to improved adaptability in daily life; positive changes were experienced in the social and relational aspects; and confidence in the future was strengthened. By reviewing music interventions with North Korean defectors, this study can present implications for music interventions with people who have experienced trauma and require assistance in fostering posttraumatic growth.

• Korean Journal of Culture and Social Issue
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• v.13 no.2
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• pp.33-54
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• 2007

This study was performed to develop a group counseling program for the South Koreans and the North Korean defectors to identify mutual cultural characteristics and personal traits, and to acquire adaptation capacity for the other's culture and interpersonal relationship. And then we validated the effect of this group program. This program was based on the existing program even if that was not validated through research work. Actually this program was for encouraging the South Koreans and the North Korean defectors to acquire interpersonal ability through mutually dependent and cooperative work based on the equal status naturally and to adjust themselves to corresponding culture. Each session continued for 1.5 hour per week. And the sessions were done for 4 weeks. This research was analysed, and the results were compared with control group's results. The results showed that treatment group revealed significantly positive outcomes than control group. But, five participants among the North Korean defectors were dropped out in the course. So North Korean defectors' credibility got lowered.

• Journal of Internet Computing and Services
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• v.24 no.6
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• pp.65-72
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• 2023

This study aims to investigate the factors influencing the life satisfaction of North Korean defectors in the ongoing situation of difficulties. Specifically, it examines the impact of the digital informatization level, and social capital on their life satisfaction and aims to verify the mediating effect of social capital in the relationship between the digital informatization level and life satisfaction. To achieve this, a structural equation model was utilized to validate the research model using data from 679 North Korean defectors who participated in the 2021 Report on the digital Divide. The research results confirm the direct influence of the digital informatization level and social capital of North Korean defectors on life satisfaction. Additionally, the study identifies the mediating effect of social capital in the relationship between the digital informatization level and life satisfaction. Based on these research findings, recommendations are proposed for enhancing the life satisfaction of North Korean defectors.

• Korean Journal of Psychosomatic Medicine
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• v.19 no.1
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• pp.20-27
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• 2011

Objectives: The present study aims to investigate the effects of physical illness on depression in North Korean Defectors. Methods: One hundred forty-four North Korean Defectors(20 males, 124 females) and 376 South Koreans 133 males, 243 females) in Incheon Metropolitan areas participated the present study. Face-to-face interview was conducted for demographic information including presence of physical illnesses. To investigate depressive symptoms, all participants were required to complete the Center for Epidemiologic Studies-Depression scale (CES-D). Results: After controlling gender, age, marital status, educational year, employment status and physical illness, North Korean Defectors showed higher CES-D score than South Koreans(${\beta}$=0.449, p<0.001). Within North Korean Defectors, the presence of physical illnesses independently was related to higher CES-D score(${\beta}$=0.243, p<0.001). However, within South Koreans, the presence of physical illnesses did not significantly predict CES-D score. North Korean Defectors with physical illness have higher CES-D score than North Korean Defectors without physical illness($26.8{\pm}13.8$ versus $19.7{\pm}12.7$). However, there was no significant differences of CES-D score between South Koreans with physical illness and South Koreans without physical illness($10.3{\pm}9.8$ versus $9.3{\pm}8.8$). Conclusion: Compared to South Koreans, North Korean Defector showed higher depressive symptoms independently from gender, age, education, employment, marriage. In addition, only North Korean Defectors showed the relationship between depression and physical illness. Our study suggests that depression should be assessed when North Korean Defectors have physical illness.

• 한국노년학
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• v.38 no.2
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• pp.291-308
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• 2018

The purpose of this study is to analyze the factors influencing financial preparedness for retirement of the middle-aged North Korean defectors (resettling in South Korea) using concepts of 'financial literacy' and 'financial inclusion'. Those questioned were 100 North Korean defectors of 40-60 years-old residing in Seoul and Gyeonggi-do Province selected by convenience sampling, one of the non-probability sampling. Path analysis is used as a main analysis method. The results of the study show a direct effect in which increased financial literacy resulted in better financial preparedness for retirement among middle-aged North Korean defectors at a statistically significant level. In addition, by boost-trapping method, financial inclusion has its mediating effect on the relationship between financial literacy and financial preparedness for retirement. However, this study shows that influence of financial literacy on financial preparedness for retirement is different across economic statues. The mediating effect of financial inclusion on the relationship between financial literacy and financial preparedness is statistically significant only for the low-income group. Meanwhile, for the above average income group, financial literacy has a direct effect on the financial preparedness after retirement at a statistically significant level. Based on these results, this study suggests practical and policy implementation such as necessity of customized financial education suited to their economic status, development of financial instruments for retirement, introduction of financial social workers to prepare stable old age of North Korean defectors.

• Journal of Industrial Convergence
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• v.21 no.12
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• pp.83-90
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• 2023

The purpose of this study is a descriptive research study to confirm the difference in health empowerment according to the current status and general characteristics of North Korean women defectors residing in South Korea. The subjects of the study were 201 North Korean women defectors living in the local community, and data were collected from September 16 to September 21, 2020 using a structured questionnaire. The collected data were analyzed by descriptive statistics, t-test, ANOVA, pearson's correlation coefficients using the SPSS/WIN 23.0 program. As a result of the study, the domain with the lowest score in the health empowerment of North Korean women defectors was "I know a positive method to cope with stress related to my health care." in the stress management question. Statistically significant differences were found in North Korean repatriation experience(t=3.77, p<.001), education(F=4.56, p=.012), economic status(t=-2.95, p=.004), subjective health status(t=-4.75, p<.001) and subjective stress(t=-2.47, p=.015). Based on the results of this study, alternatives should be prepared to strengthen the health empowerment of North Korean women defectors according to their individual characteristics.

• Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing
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• v.42 no.5
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• pp.622-631
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• 2012

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to identify health knowledge, health promoting behavior and factors influencing health promoting behavior of North Korean defectors in South Korea. Methods: Participants in this study were 410 North Korean defectors, over 20 years of age residing in Seoul. They were recruited by snowball sampling. Data were collected from April to June, 2010. Health knowledge, health promoting behavior, self-efficacy, perceived barriers to health promoting behavior and social support were measured by structured questionnaires, and perceived physical and mental health status were measured by one item with 10-point numeric rating scale. The data were analyzed using t-test, ANOVA, and multiple regression. Results: Health knowledge, health promoting behavior, and perceived barriers to health promoting behavior were moderate while self-efficacy and social support were high. Factors influencing health promoting behavior of the participants were found to be self-efficacy, social support and perceived barrier to health promoting behavior. Conclusion: The results of this study indicate that nursing intervention programs enhancing self-efficacy, social support and reducing perceived barriers to health promoting behavior need to be developed for North Korean defectors in South Korea.

• 한국사회복지학회:학술대회논문집
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• 2004.10a
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• pp.507-532
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• 2004

Due to the increasing concerns with the North Korean defectors, the researches have been increased.. However when compared with other areas, the researches about the North Korean defectors are rare. The sample size of this study is 171, which makes it possible to do statistical inferences. This study examines the adjustment stress and the effect of social support on the adaptation. As a demographic factors, gender, age and education are controlled. The context factors-the period of the stay in the third place, the period of residence and the existence of the education in Korea- are used as control variables. The research results show that the jobless is an important stressor. The structural social support affects the adjustment of stress as a whole and not individually. Among functional social support, the emotional social support is an important factor of adaptation, but the effect of structural social support is the opposite. Therefore, the adequacy of social support must be considered.

• The Journal of the Korea Contents Association
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• v.15 no.10
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• pp.225-235
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• 2015

The purpose of this study is to investigate the relationships among young North Korean defectors' stress, self-esteem, and life satisfaction, to analyze the factors affecting their life satisfaction, and to suggest improvement plans. The study subjects were 126 young North Korean defectors. Path analysis was conducted to analyze the mediating effect of self-esteem in affects of their stress on life satisfaction. According to the analysis, stress negatively and significantly influenced self-esteem (-0.30, p<.01), and self-esteem positively and significantly affected life satisfaction (0.41, p<.001). Although stress had not a direct effect on life satisfaction, had not a indirect effect with the use of self-esteem as a mediating variable (LL 95% CI -0.093, UL 95% CI -0.002).