• Korean Journal of Social Welfare
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• v.69 no.3
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• pp.35-63
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• 2017

This study conducted researches to get related basic materials and grope for a way to prevent or treat suicidal ideation. For the researches, the study examined eco-systematical variables of suicidal ideation of those who are 65 years or older, and the influence of the change in the eco-systematical variables by using the source materials researched in sixteen cities/provinces over the country from KOWEPS(Korea Welfare Panel Study), and then reviewed if there any difference according to whether they had suicidal ideation or thought in the previous year. The analysis result shows that each variable of the ecological system such as individual, family, and social system has an effect on the elderly's suicidal ideation, and there is difference in the influence factor according to whether they had suicidal ideation in the previous year or not. The result implies the policy to cope with the elderly's suicide needs multidimensional approach of individual, family, and society rather than a simple individual level. And also there should be a different support or service according to their situation or conditions like previous suicidal ideation. Especially, it is quite significant that the factors do not influence the elderly who had suicidal ideation in the previous year, but have an effect on those who did not have any suicidal ideation, which means that the proactive and preventive support related to suicidal ideation would guarantee a more efficient and effective policy.

• 한국노년학
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• v.36 no.3
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• pp.883-903
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• 2016

The purpose of the study is examining the mediation effect of caregiver burden's segmentalized sub factors between dementia caregivers on the relationship between Symptom extent of dementia patients and Suicidal Ideation of dementia caregiver, and suggesting social welfare intervention methods for dementia caregiver The survey is targeted to demented elderly people and caregivers, and currently using medical care institution and day care center in Seoul, Gyeonggi Province and Pusan city. As a result of the survey, 415 cases were collected for the final analysis. In data analysis process, we used SPSS 21.0 for the mediation effect of conversational satisfaction and its significance, and the results are following. First, 21% of the caregivers responded that they had thoughts of suicide in the past year. Second, Symptom extent of dementia patients was positively related to caregiver burden. Third, worse in family relationships, which is sub factors of mediate variable, has partial mediate effect on the model. Based on these outcomes, we suggest the importance and necessity of improved approach about dementia elderly and caregiver between elderly couple as way to reduce caregiver burden and proposed social work-based intervention program for enhancing this.

• Korean Journal of Psychosomatic Medicine
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• v.28 no.1
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• pp.42-52
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• 2020

Objectives : Firefighters are always under stress due to their job environment, and they are likely to become psychologically vulnerable due to continuous exposure to traumatic events, which is a stressful situation that requires emergency standby at all times. The aims of this study were to examine mental health factors for each division of firefighters and to see the relationship between sleep and somatization symptoms among them. Methods : General characteristics and related inspections were conducted through self-reporting questionnaires for 1,264 firefighters working at Chungbuk fire stations. Several mental health factors were investigated by the Insomnia Severity Index, Severity of somatic symptoms, Impact of Event Scale, Perceived Stress Scale, Resilience Scale, Alcohol Dependent Screening Scale, and the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale Depression Scale and Mini-International Neuropsychiatric Interview. Results : Among the mental health variables, the relationship between insomnia and somatization varies significantly depending on types of work. It was reported that the first aid team was significantly higher than the fire suppression and rescue team. Post-traumatic stress, depression and drinking also differ significantly depending on types of work. The first aid team reported more posttraumatic stress than the fire suppression team and more depressed mood than the rescue team. The administration part had more alcohol consumption than the fire suppression or first aid team. Resilience was significantly higher in the rescue team than the first aid team. No significant differences between the types of work about stress and suicide risks. Insomnia, stress, and post-traumatic stress were significant predictors of somatization among firefighters. Above all, insomnia was significant mental health variable affecting somatization. Conclusions : Various mental health factors were different according to the types of work in firefighters. The First aid team was more vulnerable to mental health variables such as insomnia and somatization than other divisions. Insomnia is the most important cause of somatization in firefighters, so it is recommended that they be treated for insomnia and to prepare institutional policies.

• Korean Journal of Forensic Psychology
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• v.13 no.2
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• pp.121-145
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• 2022

The current study applied the random forest algorithm to Korean crime victim survey data collected biennially between 2010 and 2018 to explore the relationship between crime/victim characteristics and the victim's criminal damages. A total of 3,080 cases including gender, age (life cycle stage), type of crime, perpetrator acquisition, repeated victimization, psychological damage (depression, isolation, extreme fear, somatic symptoms, interpersonal problems, moving out to avoid people, suicidal impulses, suicide attempts), and emotional changes after victimization (changes in self-protection confidence, self-esteem, confidence in others, confidence in legal institutions, and respect for Korean legal system/law) were analyzed. Considering the features of data that are difficult to apply traditional statistical techniques, this study implemented random forest algorithms to predict crime and victim characteristics using the victim's criminal damages (psychological damage and emotional change) and selected good predictors using VSURF function in VSURF package for R. As a result of the analysis, it was confirmed that the relationship between the type of crime and depression, extreme fear, somatic symptoms, and interpersonal problems, between perpetrator acquisition and somatic symptoms and interpersonal problems, and between repeated victimization and changes in respect for Korean legal system/law. Gender and life cycle stage (youth/adult/elderly) were found to be related to extreme fear and changes in self-protection confidence, respectively. However, more empirical evidence should be aggregated to explain the results as meaningful. The results of this study suggest that it is necessary to enhance the experts' knowledge and educate them on cases about the relationship between crime/victim characteristics and criminal damage. Strengthening their interview strategy and knowledge about law/rules were also needed to increase the effectiveness of the Korean victim assessment system.