• Anxiety and mood
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• v.17 no.2
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• pp.78-83
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• 2021

Objective : Current study investigated the association between internet addiction and suicidal attempts in psychiatric patients. Methods : Patients who visited emergency department or psychiatry outpatient unit of Chungnam National University Hospital from January 2020 to July 2021 were included in this study. Total of 192 participants, 96 suicidal attempt cases and 96 psychiatric control patients without history of suicidal attempt were matched by gender and baseline diagnosis. Depression and internet addiction were assessed by using Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) and Young's Internet Addiction Test (IAT). Independent t-tests, and logistic regression analyses were conducted. Results : IAT scores were significantly higher in suicidal attempt case group (41.09±18.196 years) compared to psychiatric control patients without history of suicidal attempt (36.63±17.016 years) (p=0.040). Internet addiction (adjusted Odds Ratio [aOR]=2.049, 95% Confidence Interval [CI]=1.004-4.539, p=0.0493) was an independent risk factor for suicidal attempt in psychiatric patients after controlling age, gender, and sociodemographic factors, such as marital status, education level and employment status. Conclusion : This is the first study to investigate the relationship between internet addiction and suicidal attempt in psychiatric patients in Korea. Internet addiction is significantly associated with suicidal attempt in psychiatric patients, after adjusting sociodemographic variables. This study provides evidence to future studies to further investigate on causality of internet addiction and suicidality in psychiatric patients.

• Korean Journal of Psychosomatic Medicine
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• v.28 no.2
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• pp.168-176
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• 2020

Objectives : Loneliness and poor sleep quality are common phenomena in old age and are associated with negative physical and mental health. However, little is known regarding the relation between loneliness and sleep quality. The aim of this study was to examine the association of loneliness and sleep quality among the elderly living alone. Methods : This is a cross-sectional study that enrolled 1,090 subjects who are the community-residing elderly living alone. Sociodemographic status, medical condition, cognition, mood disorder, sleep quality and levels of loneliness were collected using a self-administered questionnaire and a specific semi-structured interview conducted by trained nurses. Descriptive statistics were used to analyze data regarding sociodemographic variable and loneliness. Univariate and Multivariate regression analyses were applied to examine the association between loneliness and sleep quality after adjustment for multiple confounding variables. Results : The Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) mean score of "lonely group" (9.2±4.2) was significantly higher than that of "not lonely group" (7.3±3.7) (student-t test, p<0.001). Loneliness was significantly associated with PSQI (standardized β=0.065, p=0.025), sleep disturbance (standardized β=0.086, p=0.005), use of sleep medication (standardized β=0.065, p=0.034) after adjustment for possible confounding variables including sex and mood disorder. Conclusions : Loneliness was associated with sleep disturbance and this finding implied negative impact of loneliness on sleep quality of older adults. Public health promotion efforts to reduce loneliness may improve sleep quality and mental health in the elderly living alone.

• Anxiety and mood
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• v.6 no.2
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• pp.131-136
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• 2010

Objectives : In this study, we aimed to elucidate the demographic and psychological characteristics of maladaptive soldiers in the Republic of Korean Army. Methods : Study participants included 110 male conscripts who had participated in the Green camp, which was a form of group psychosocial treatment program for maladaptive soldiers. All participants were interviewed and diagnosed by a psychiatrist, and classified into two groups according to whether they left or rejoined the army. We analyzed the differences between these two groups in terms of demographic features, psychiatric diagnosis and the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI) subscores. Results : Compared with soldiers who rejoined their units, those who left military service exhibited significantly lower educational level (p=0.041) and a higher rate in psychiatric treatment prior to enlistment (p=0.011). Among the 106 subjects, 63 (59.4%) and 23 (21.7%) were diagnosed with personality disorder and adjustment disorder, respectively. Further, those who left military service were diagnosed more frequently with mood disorder (p=0.001) and schizophrenia (p=0.014) than those who rejoined their units. Additionally, the MMPI scores of soldiers who left military service were significantly higher on the psychasthenia (p=0.028) and schizophrenia (p=0.039) scales than those of soldiers who rejoined their units. Conclusion : Most of the maladaptive soldiers were diagnosed with mental disorders. The results of this study suggest that systematic, consistent psychiatric evaluation and intervention for maladaptive male conscripts is crucial in the Republic of Korean army.

• Korean Journal of Psychosomatic Medicine
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• v.23 no.1
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• pp.26-35
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• 2015

Objectives:The purpose of this study was to evaluate reliability and validity of the Korean version of the Postconcussional Syndrome Questionnaire(KPCSQ) which was originally developed in 1992 by Lees-Haley. Methods:Patients with traumatic brain injury were recruited from April 2009 to December 2011 from the Korean University Ansan Hospital. We selected patients that met the ICD-10 diagnostic criteria of postconcussional syndrome and organic mental disorder including organic mood disorder, organic emotionally labile disorder, organic anxiety disorder and organic personality disorder. The KPCSQ, Trait and State Anxiety Inventory(STAI-I, II), and Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale(CESD) were administered to all subjects. Factor analysis of the items were performed and test-retest correlation were evaluated. Internal consistency of the KPCSQ and its subscales was assessed with Cronbach's alpha. External validity of the KPCSQ were examined by correlation coefficient with the STAI-I, II, and CESD. Results:The Cronbach's alpha coefficient of the total PCSQ was 0.956. The test-retest reliability coefficient was 0.845. The PCSQ showed significant correlation with STAI-I, II and CESD. The factor analysis of the PCSQ yielded 4 factors model. Factor 1 represented 'affective and cognitive symptoms', factor 2 represented 'somatic symptoms', factor 3 represented 'infrequent symptoms' and factor 4 represented 'exaggeration or inattentive response'. There was no significant difference between the PCS group and the organic mental disorder group in the score on each measure. The scores on KPCSQ and its subscales in the subjects that had scored 5 or more in 'exaggeration or inattentive response' are significantly higher than those in the subjects had scored 4 in 'exaggeration or inattentive response'. Conclusions:This study suggests that the Korean version of PCSQ is a valid and reliable tool for assessing psychiatric symptomatology of patients with traumatic brain injury. Further investigations with greater numbers of subjects are necessary to assess the clinical usefulness of the KPCSQ.

• Korean Journal of Psychosomatic Medicine
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• v.7 no.2
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• pp.203-212
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• 1999

Objectives : "Alexithymia" mean literally "no word for mood(or emotion)". It is not only a marked constriction in emotional functioning but a deficit in their cognitive processing. We designed this study to investigate the level of alexithymia, psychopathology and personality factors of patients with somatoform disorder and with diabetes mellitus. Methods : The subjects were consisted of patients with somatoform disorder(N=20), patients with diabetes mellitus(N=20), and normal control(N=20). The level of alexithymia, psychopathology and personality factors were assessed by the Toronto Alexithymia Scale(TAS), the Symptom Checklist 90-Revision(SCL 90-R), and the Sixteen Personality Factor Questionnaire(16-PF). And we compared demographic characteristics, psychopathology and personality factors among three groups, and assessed the relationship between alexithymia and psychopathology, and between alexithymia and personality factors. Results : The results were as follows. 1) Patients with somatoform disorder showed significantly higher TAS scores compared to patients with diabetes mellitus and the normal control group. 2) Patients With somatoform disorder showed significantly higher scores of somatization, anxiety scales than patients with diabetes mellitus and the normal control group, and showed significantly higher scores of obsessive-compulsive, depression, phobic anxiety, psychoticism scales than the normal control group by the SCL-90-R. 3) The normal control group showed high intelligence scores only as compared to patients with somatoform disorder by the 16-PF. 4) A significant relationship was found between TAS scores and psychopathology in patients with somatoform disorder. 5) All three groups did not shown any correlation between TAS and 16-PF. Conclusion : Patients with somatoform disorder showed higher TAS scores and more multiple psychopathology than patients with diabetes mellitus and the normal controls. A significant relationship was found between TAS scores and psychopathology in patients with somatoform disorder. We suggest that the therapeutic approach to patients with somatoform disorder to express emotions and manage psychopathology, and that the treatment methods of patients with diabetes mellitus aims to improve firstly physical conditions are more helpful.

• Journal of agricultural medicine and community health
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• v.35 no.2
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• pp.124-133
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• 2010

Objectives: This study is to offer basic data to understand the relationships between mental health, level of depression, and internet addiction of high school students in farming communities for developing a mental health management program for adolescents. Methods: The survey was carried out on a convenience sample of 299 high school students in farming communities during May of 2008. Data analysis procedure included $X^2$-test, t-test, Pearson correlation among Adolescent Mental Health & Problem-behavior Screening Questionnaire (AMPQ), Children's Depression Inventory (CDI), and Scales of Internet addiction (K-scales). Results: First, the level of mental health according to the AMPQ for subjects from this study showed problematic behavior was lower when compared to other researches. There were statistically significant differences according to the school type for externalization problems and overall problematic behavior. Based on gender, it was even more problematic for male students in regards to externalization problems. Secondly, the level of depression was relatively low : 5.1% for potential risk and 0.3% for high risk. Thirdly, a total of 96.9% were considered normal for Internet addition levels. 1.7% for potential risk, 1.4% for high risk; however, there was no statistically significant difference between each variable. Fourthly, there was a strong relationship between subjects AMPQ, level of depression and Internet addiction. As depression worsens, Internet addiction also becomes stronger. Conclusion: There is a need for awareness of the mental health of adolescents and precautionary measures, the development of a program for early treatment, adequate management, and decisions on the direction of treatment.

• Korean Journal of Psychosomatic Medicine
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• v.26 no.2
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• pp.172-178
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• 2018

Objectives : This study aimed to describe the use of over-the-counter (OTC) drugs and to identify predictors for their use in the elderly living alone. Methods : This is a cross-sectional study that enrolled 1,099 subjects. Data regarding socio-demographic status, medical condition, cognition, mood disorder and use of OTC drugs were collected using self-administered questionnaire and from a specific semi-structured interview by a trained nurse. Data regarding use of OTC drugs were analyzed using descriptive statistics. Logistic regression analysis was applied to examine factors associated with the use of OTC drugs. Results : The use of OTC drugs were reported by 35.4% of the subjects. Analgesics (13.6%) was the most frequent drugs. Depression (OR=1.10, 95% CI=1.10-1.87) and comorbidities measured by cumulative illness rating scale (CIRS) (OR=1.08, 95% CI=1.03-1.12) were significantly associated with the use of OTC drugs in the elderly living alone. Conclusions : Depression and severity of underlying medical conditions could be a predictor of the use of OTC drugs in the elderly living alone. The clinicians should be vigilant regarding the potential use of nonprescription medications in the elderly.

• Korean Journal of Psychosomatic Medicine
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.83-93
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• 2016

Objectives : The Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression scale-Revised is a recently revised scale which has been reported as a valid tool for the assessment of depressive symptoms. It encompasses cardinal symptoms of depression described in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental disorders, fourth edition. In this study, we assessed the reliability, validity and psychometric properties of the Korean version of the CESD-R(K-CESD-R). Methods : Forty-eight patients diagnosed as major depressive disorder, dysthymia, depressive disorder NOS according to the DSM-IV criteria using Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview and 48 healthy controls were enrolled in this study. They were assessed with K-CESD-R, K-MADRS, PHQ-9, KQIDS-SR, STAI to check cross-validation. Statistical analyses were performed using calculation of Cronbach's alpha, Pearson correlation coefficient, Principal Component Analysis, ROC curve and optimal cut-off value. Results : The Cronbach's alpha of K-CESD-R was 0.98. The total score of K-CESD-R revealed significantly high correlations with those of K-MADRS, PHQ-9, KQIDS-SR(r=0.910, 0.966 and 0.920, p<0.001, respectively). Factor analysis showed two factors account for 76.29% of total variance. We suggested the optimal cut-off value of K-CESD-R as 13 according to analysis of the ROC curve which value sensitivity and specificity both equally. Conclusions : These Results showed that the K-CESD-R could be a reliable and valid scale to assess depressive symptoms. The K-CESD-R is expected as a useful and effective tool for screening and measuring depressive symptoms not only in outpatient clinic but also epidemiologic studies.

• Korean Journal of Psychosomatic Medicine
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• v.9 no.1
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• pp.28-36
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• 2001

Objectives : This study was undertaken to identify the clinical and psychological characteristics in patients of mental disability assessment following traumatic brain injury who had the finding with or without abnormal brain imaging study. Methods : A consecutive series of 59 patients were assessed in hospital from January 1994 to December 1998. Patients were divided into 2 groups based on normal or abnormal brain imaging and the two groups were compared in demographic characteristics, psychiatric symptoms, type of head injury, clinical psychological findings. There were 27 patients with abnormal findings and 32 with normal findings in brain imaging study. Results : Abnormal finding group in brain imaging study had significantly higher incidence of psychosis, decreased memory, decreased appetite, increased nihilistic idea, and intracranial hemorrhage. Also, abnormal finding group showed significantly lower level of performance on the block design subtest of K-WAIS and had significantly lower scores on F, hypochodriasis, depression, hysteria, psychopathic deviate, psychasthenia and schizophrenia subscale of the MMPI. Conclusion : The findings suggest that the patients undergone brain surgery due to intracranial hemorrage at that time of brain injury may have higher frequency of abnormal findings in brain imaging study, complain more cognitive and affective symptoms, and have lower the abstract concept formation and perceptual organization abilities.

• Korean Journal of Psychosomatic Medicine
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• v.13 no.1
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• pp.60-66
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• 2005

Objectives : The aim of this study was to investigate the staffs' attitudes and opinions toward psychiatry in a hospital. The results of the investigation were taken as a basic data of the education programs of persons who worked in a hospital and community residents. Methods : The subjects of this study were persons who worked in a hospital. The tool used in this study was Attitudes and Opinions toward Psychiatry. Sixty-one persons were studied. Statistically one-way ANOVA or t-test were used. Results : Internal consistency was high, measuring 0.80 for the 26 items. Generally, hospital staffs have positive attitude toward psychiatry. Direct patient contact group scored more higher than indirect contact group, except 'overall merits of the field of psychiatry' and 'efficacy' factor. In factor 'overall merits of the field of psychiatry', and factor 'efficacy' female scored more higher than male averagely. In factor 'role definition and functioning of psychiatrists', 'possible abuses and social criticisms', and 'career and personal reward', direct patient contact group scored more higher than indirect contact group averagely. Conclusion This study results support the hypothesis that the direct patient contact group have more positive attitude toward psychiatry than the other group. It will be necessary to educate for a psychiatric hospital staffs and community residents on psychiatry.