• Journal of the Korean Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry
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• v.31 no.2
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• pp.88-93
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• 2020

Objectives: Mood disorder is highly comorbid with attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), and comorbid ADHD symptoms are associated with suicide risk. The aim of this study was to examine the association between comorbid ADHD symptoms and the number of suicide attempts among patients with unipolar and bipolar depression. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 100 patients with either unipolar or bipolar depression constituted the final sample. Pearson's correlation and multiple regression analyses were conducted to examine the association between comorbid ADHD symptoms and suicide risk. Results: Among patients with bipolar depression, the number of suicide attempts was significantly correlated with ADHD symptoms (r=0.324, p<0.01). ADHD symptoms significantly predicted the number of suicide attempts (β=0.249, p<0.05). Conclusion: Our findings underscore the importance of screening and assessing ADHD symptoms in male young adults with depressive disorders.

• Korean Journal of Biological Psychiatry
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• v.12 no.2
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• pp.151-158
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• 2005

Background:Clozapine is a unique atypical antipsychotic medication. It is considered to be superior, even amongst the newer agents, in treatment-resistant schizophrenia. However, de novo emergence or exacerbation of obsessive-compulsive(OC) symptoms during treatment with clozapine has been reported. We prospectively evaluated 19 cases which newly developed OC symptoms during clozapine treatment and discussed the treatment of OC symptoms induced by it. Methods:We recruited 19 patients(8 males, 11 females) with a DSM-IV diagnosis of schizophrenia and schizoaffective disorder who had developed OC symptoms during clozapine treatment. OC symptoms were assessed using the Padua-ICMA and YBOCS on a monthly basis over three months. Results:Eleven female and eight male patients were enrolled and the average age of patients was 32.8 years. At baseline, no patients showed OC symptoms. Moderate to severe OC symptoms appeared with mean daily dose of 298.68 mg of clozapine. There were no significant differences in improving OC symptoms between the clozapine dose reduction group and the OC treatment group. Conclusion:We noticed the possibility that the appearance of OC symptoms is connected with the effect of clozapine. The clozapine-induced OC symptoms were improved both by reducing clozapine daily doses, and by adding OC treatment drugs. With other atypical antipsychotics now available, to know and treat the side effects of clozapine would be of considerable value, offering clinical guidance in making a decision on treatment-resistant schizophrenia.

• Journal of the Korean Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry
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• v.20 no.1
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• pp.23-28
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• 2009

Objectives : This study was conducted to investigate the association between the symptoms of boys with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and the attention-deficit hyperactivity symptoms, temperament and character patterns of their parents. Methods : Forty-five boys with ADHD and who met the DSM-IV criteria were evaluated by using the ADHD rating scale (ADHD-RS), and their parents completed the Korean Adult ADHD scale (K-AADHDS) and the Temperament and Character Inventory (TCI). Results : The parental K-AADHDS scores were not associated with the ADHD-RS total score and the subscale scores of their siblings. The most potent variable related to the ADHD-RS total score was the maternal self-directedness, and the second was the maternal persistence. The maternal self-directedness was the variable that was most correlated with the hyperactivity/impulsivity subscale scores of the ADHD-RS. Conclusion : The results suggest that the paternal ADHD symptoms may not be related to the ADHD symptoms of boys with ADHD. Higher maternal self-directedness and persistence may decrease overall the ADHD symptoms of these boys, and higher maternal self-directedness itself may predict lower hyperactivity/impulsivity symptoms of the boys with ADHD.

• Anxiety and mood
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• v.7 no.2
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• pp.101-106
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• 2011

Objectives : The aim of this study was to investigate whether and how the symptoms of adult attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) affect the stress and depressive symptoms in Korean soldiers. Methods : Data were collected on 131 subjects through self-report using the Korean Adult Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder Scale (K-AADHDS), Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale (CES-D), Korean Wender Utah Rating Scale (K-WURS), and the Brief Encounter Psychosocial Instrument (BEPSI-K). Student t-tests, Pearson Correlation, Logistic regression, and Path analysis were performed. Results : The scores related to adult ADHD symptoms on the K-AADHDS and K-WURS were correlated with stress scores on the BEPSI-K (r=0.529, p<0.001 and r=0.484, p<0.001) and with depressive symptoms on the CES-D (r=0.686, p<0.001 and r=0.628, p<0.001). Scores related to adult ADHD on the K-AADHDS were the most significant risk factors for stress (O.R=1.198, 95% CI=1.104-1.299), and depressive symptoms (O.R=1.306, p95% CI=1.112-1.534). Path analysis on depressive symptoms showed that adult ADHD symptoms affected stress and depressive symptoms. Conclusion : The results suggest that it may be important to consider the evaluation and treatment of adult ADHD in soldiers. Prospective studies with larger numbers of subjects are warranted to further explore the relevance of the present results.

• Korean Journal of Biological Psychiatry
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• v.27 no.2
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• pp.101-111
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• 2020

Objectives The aim of this study is to investigate the association between secondhand smoke (SHS) exposure and depressive symptoms among Korean adults. This study also explored the mediating role of self-rated health (SRH) and perceived usual stress (PUS) in the association between depressive symptoms, suicidal ideation and SHS exposure. Methods Data from the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys (KNHANES) in 2014 and 2016 was analyzed for 10539 participants aged 19 years or older. Odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated in the logistic regression analysis with adjustment for the potential confounding factors. We also adopted the mediation analysis method by Hayes and Preacher. Results After adjusting for the potential confounding factors, SHS at home and at public places were associated with depressive symptoms and suicidal ideation among non-smokers. After adjusting for the potential confounding factors, SHS at home and at public places was associated with depressive symptoms and suicidal ideation among non-smokers. Meanwhile SHS at workplaces was associated with depressive symptoms among former smokers and with suicidal ideation among current smokers. There was an additive effect of SHS on depressive symptoms only among non-smokers. SRH mediated the association between SHS and depressive symptoms and suicidal ideation among non-smokers. We did not observe any significant mediating effect of SRH nor PUS on the association between SHS and depressive symptoms among former and current smokers. Conclusions SHS may be associated with depressive symptoms and suicidal ideation in Korean adults. Our study elucidated how SHS interacted with depressive symptoms among non-smokers through the mediation by SRH.

• Journal of the Korean Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry
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• v.29 no.3
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• pp.137-143
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• 2018

Objectives: The present study aimed to investigate the relationships among the lifetime incidence of trauma, internalizing symptoms, and quality of life (QoL) in out-of-school youths (OSYs). Methods: We recruited 50 OSYs in South Korea. Participants completed the following surveys: completed Lifetime Incidence of Traumatic Events for children, Youth Self Report, and The KIDSCREEN-27 QoL measure for children and adolescents. Mediation analysis was conducted to test the research hypotheses. Results: The mean lifetime incidence of traumatic events among OSYs was 3.27 (standard deviation, 2.41). Internalizing symptoms significantly mediated the lifetime incidence of trauma and QoL. OSYs with fewer internalizing symptoms exhibited a better QoL in the domain of psychological well-being, although their lifetime incidence of trauma was higher. Conclusion: The results of current study suggest that assessment and therapeutic intervention with regard to internalizing symptoms are needed to increase the QoL of OSYs.

• Korean Journal of Biological Psychiatry
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• v.29 no.2
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• pp.46-55
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• 2022

Objectives Many studies have reported noticeable increases in the proportion of employees working either relatively short or relatively long hours. Such trends have been accompanied by an increasing concern that how much subjective mental well-being of employees would be influenced by their hours of work. The aim of this study was to investigate the association between work hours and clinically relevant depressive symptoms with demographic variables adjusted. Methods Participants were employees of a total of 56 private companies and local government organizations in Korea, aged 19 to 65 years. A self-report questionnaire that included items on working hour, job stress, levels of depression, and socio-demographic factors was administered to 15360 Korean employees, with 14477 valid responses. Hierarchical linear regression analyses, adjusted for sociodemographic factors, job related demographic factors, job stress, were used additionally to estimate the association between working hours and depressive scores. Results We found that working more than 40 hours per week correlated positively with the level of depressive symptoms after adjusting for demographic variables and the level of job stress. Furthermore, working 40 or fewer hours per week correlated negatively with the level of depressive symptoms. Being younger (β = -0.078, β = -0.099), being a female (β = 2.770, β = 1.268), and possessing a lower level of education (β = -0.315, β = -1.125) were significantly associated with higher level of depressive symptoms in all respondents. Conclusions Both of working excessively long or short hours is significantly associated with the prevalence of depressive symptoms. Establishing proper office hours for employees is critical to improving the quality of working conditions and maintaining good mental health in the workplace.

• Journal of the Korean society of biological therapies in psychiatry
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• v.24 no.3
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• pp.173-183
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• 2018

Objectives : The aim of study was to estimate the prevalence of poor sleep quality and depressive symptoms as well as to examine the moderating effect of positive psychology on the relationship between poor sleep quality and depressive symptoms among Korean university students. Methods : A total of 2,338(1,071 male and 1,267 female) university students at seven universities of four cities in Korea were randomly selected to participate in a survey. Data were collected by self-report questionnaires, including Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index(PSQI), Beck Depression Inventory(BDI), Satisfaction with Life Scale(SWLS), Positive Psychotherapy Inventory(PPTI), and sociodemographic characteristics. Results : The prevalence was 44.8% for poor sleep quality and 14.4% for depressive symptoms among Korean university students. By moderated regression analysis, the results showed that poor sleep quality(${\beta}=0.453$, p<0.001) aggravated depressive symptoms of university students, and life satisfaction(${\beta}=-0.087$, p<0.001) and happiness(${\beta}=-0.145$, p<0.001) respectively buffered the negative effect of the poor sleep quality on depressive symptoms. Conclusion : This study showed very high prevalence of poor sleep quality and depressive symptoms among Korean university students. Overall, these findings demonstrates that positive psychology can be effective in the enhancement of subjective and psychological well-being and may help to reduce depressive symptom levels. In the context of public health, positive psychology can be used as preventive, easily accessible and non-stigmatizing tools.

• Journal of the Korean society of biological therapies in psychiatry
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• v.24 no.3
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• pp.184-193
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• 2018

Objectives : This study investigated the effects of social support and chronic medical conditions on depressive symptoms in elderly people living alone in a rural community. Methods : Sociodemographic information on 173 subjects aged 65 years or older who lived alone in a rural community and were recipients of National Basic Livelihood Security was collected and analyzed. All participants completed the Korean Form of the Geriatric Depression Scale and the Lubben Social Network Scale. Additionally, the current prevalence of chronic medical conditions that interfere with the activities of daily living was examined. Multiple logistic regression analysis was conducted to analyze the associations of social support and chronic medical conditions with depressive symptoms. Results : Social support(odds ratio: OR, 0.96; 95% confidence interval: 95% CI, 0.92-0.99) and chronic medical conditions(OR, 1.59; 95% CI, 1.23-2.05) were significantly associated with depressive symptoms in all subjects. When analyzed by gender, social support served as a protective factor against depressive symptoms in elderly men only(OR, 0.91; 95% CI, 0.83-0.99), and chronic medical conditions increased the risk of depressive symptoms in elderly women only(OR, 1.74; 95% CI, 1.26-2.40). Furthermore, osteoarthritis and lumbar pain were risk factors for depressive symptoms in all subjects(OR, 2.24; 95% CI, 1.10-4.56 and OR, 2.10; 95% CI, 1.08-4.12) and in elderly women(OR, 4.07; 95% CI, 1.68-9.84 and OR, 3.34; 95% CI, 1.47-7.57), respectively. Conclusion : This study indicates that improving the social support and managing the chronic medical conditions of elderly people living alone are important for the prevention of depression in this population. Additionally, the present results suggest that it is necessary to establish different depression-prevention strategies for elderly men and women living alone.

• Korean Journal of Biological Psychiatry
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• v.22 no.4
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• pp.216-222
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• 2015

Objectives The principal aim of the present study was to investigate the characteristic depressive symptoms in patients with social anxiety disorder (SAD) and panic disorder in comparison to patients with depressive disorder. Methods This study included 132 patients with SAD, 128 panic disorder and 64 depressive disorder (major depressive disorder, dysthymia etc.) patients without comorbid psychiatric disorders. The Beck Depressive Inventory (BDI) is used to measure depressive symptoms. We divided BDI into three categories originally described by Shafer AB, including negative attitude toward self, performance impairment, and somatic symptoms. We compared the depressive symptoms of SAD, panic disorder and depressive disorder by using ANOVA. Results Negative attitude toward self was noticeable in SAD (SAD $0.54{\pm}0.23$, panic disorder $0.41{\pm}0.17$, depressive disorder $0.46{\pm}0.11$, p < 0.001). Performance impairment and somatic symptoms were remarkable in panic disorder than in SAD and depressive disorder (performance impairment : SAD $0.39{\pm}0.21$, panic disorder $0.44{\pm}0.14$, depressive disorder $0.40{\pm}0.09$, p = 0.009 ; somatic symptoms : SAD $0.07{\pm}0.10$, panic disorder $0.15{\pm}0.12$, depressive disorder $0.14{\pm}0.08$, p < 0.001). Conclusions The results facilitate an approach to optimal treatment for patients with comorbidity of anxiety disorder and depression.