• Korean Journal of Social Welfare Studies
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• v.47 no.1
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• pp.123-149
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• 2016

Purpose of this study is to find the way to improve older people's life satisfaction from identifying factors, which were derived from exploring several variables (perceived health, mental health, health literacy, and mental health literacy), affecting perception on ageing positively and negatively. This study used data (400 people age 65 and over) from survey on ageism and age integration conducted by 'supporting project of enhancing humanities and social capacity' of National Research Foundation of Korea. The results are as followed; 1) older people negatively perceived psycho-social ageing; 2) older people had high level of depression; 3) showing slightly low level of health literacy and mental health literacy; 4) depression, perceived health and mental health literacy were significant factors influence on perceived psycho-social aging. With these results, the ways were suggested to improve positive psycho-social ageing and quality of life.

• Korean Journal of Social Welfare
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• v.65 no.2
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• pp.313-334
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• 2013

A study aims to assess Korean mental health literacy and analyze the characteristics of vulnerable population. This study presented typical vignettes of schizophrenia, depression and alcoholism to 1,197 adults randomly. All respondents were asked for recognition of mental illness, beliefs about causes, professional help and self-help, stigma for receiving psychiatric treatment for the person described. The results showed that the recognition of mental health problem in a vignette was very poor and that personal causes were seen by public as more important than environmental and bio-genetic causes. When the public were asked about various professional therapies and self-help activities, psychotherapy was favored while other professional help were considered to be less helpful than self-help activities. Among professionals, psychiatrist were viewed as most helpful. We used cluster analysis to compare high mental health literacy group with low mental health literacy group(vulnerable population). Vulnerable population were found to be more aged and to live in county area. We proposed government initiated program for enhancing public mental health literacy.

• Anxiety and mood
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• v.19 no.2
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• pp.48-55
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• 2023

Objective : This study aims to investigate the concept of mental health literacy, its evolution, and its significance in modern healthcare practices. Methods : This paper reviews the evolution of mental health literacy, examining pertinent studies both within the country and internationally. It also addresses the limitations and challenges associated with mental health diagnoses. Results : Findings from various studies indicate that public awareness and recognition of mental health issues are generally inadequate. Identified causes of mental health conditions by study participants point to personal and societal influences, while biological factors are frequently neglected. In South Korea, there is a notable preference for non-professional support over psychiatric interventions. Conclusion : This study highlights the growing importance of mental health literacy in today's society, emphasizing the need for accurate understanding of mental health issues and effective treatment approaches. Similar to physical health literacy, mental health literacy should be considered a basic human right. This perspective marks a shift from a knowledge monopoly held by experts to the inclusion and active involvement of 'people with lived experience' in the mental health service system.

• The Journal of the Korea Contents Association
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• v.19 no.9
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• pp.308-320
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• 2019

This study aims at investigating the major symptoms that help family carers detect mental illness in elderly patients. Another purpose of this study is to empirically verify the major factors determining the utilization of mental health services with a focus on family carers. The results of this study are as follows. First, the most commonly detected symptoms that caused the family carers to suspect mental illness in the elderly patients were memory decline and other forms of cognitive function decline. Second, the determinants of the elderly's utilization of mental health services included the patient's long-term care insurance level, the age of the family carer, the period of care, the level stress associated with the provision of care felt by the carer, his understanding of geriatric mental illness, and the level of perception about community mental health services. Based on these findings, this study suggests policies and practical implications for the early detection of and response to elderly mental health problems and the utilization of related services from the viewpoint of the family carers of the elderly.

• Korean Journal of Psychosomatic Medicine
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• v.31 no.2
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• pp.72-78
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• 2023

Objectives : This study aims to identify various psychiatric symptoms and psychosomatic symptoms caused by COVID-19 infection and investigate their long-term impact. Methods : A systematic literature review was conducted, selecting papers from domestic and international databases using keywords such as "COVID-19" and "psychosomatic." A total of 16 papers, including those using structured measurement tools for psychosomatic symptoms, were included in the final analysis. Results : Psychiatric symptoms such as anxiety, depression, and somatic symptoms have been reported in acute COVID-19 infection, while long-term post-COVID symptoms include chest pain and fatigue. The frequency of long-term psychosomatic symptoms has been estimated to be 10%-20%. Factors contributing to these symptoms include psychological and social stress related to infectious diseases, gender, elderly age, a history of psychiatric disorders, and comorbid mental illnesses. It is suggested that systemic inflammation, autoimmune responses, and dysregulation of the autonomic nervous system may be involved. Conclusions : Psychosomatic symptoms arising after COVID-19 infection have a negative impact on quality of life and psychosocial functioning. Understanding and addressing psychiatric aspects are crucial for symptom prevention and treatment.

• Journal of the Korean Society for Railway
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• v.16 no.3
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• pp.233-239
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• 2013

This paper studied the stress of Metropolitan Transit driving crews. Stress to such workers can not only lead to fatalities and infrastructure damage but also enormous loss of competitiveness. The study was carried out to search for ways of alleviating stress of driving crews. In order to reduce the various factors that exacerbate job stress of driving crews of Metropolitan Transit, it is first necessary to expand training in order to enhance their expertise, and improve facilities to protect driving crews in the event of accidents. Second, psychological compensation or organization's systems may cause job stress. It may therefore be possible to solve fundamental problems through typical organization level approach such as leadership training programs. Third, job stress may be reduced through proper life habits such as personal regular exercise. Fourth, we need to improve driving crews' working conditions and adjust working hours by avoiding excessive performance competition and an unfair evaluation system, by understanding their mental states, and by setting up systems such as a comprehensive health improvement and management program at the organization level.

• Korean Journal of Psychosomatic Medicine
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• v.27 no.2
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• pp.111-118
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• 2019

Objectives : The purpose of this study was to investigate the clinical characteristics of antipsychotic medication prescription for the symptom control in patients with delirium. Methods : One hundred and eighty-five patients referred to consultation-liaison psychiatric services for delirium due to general medical condition were included in this study. All subjects were divided into two groups (antipsychotics users vs. antipsychotics nonusers), and comparison analyses on their clinical characteristics were performed. Results : One hundred and twenty nine patients (66.5%) used antipsychotics for their delirium, and 56 patients (30.3%) did not use antipsychotics. The history of psychotropic medication was more frequently observed in antipsychotic users (5.4% vs. 18.6%, χ²=5.498, p=0.022). Especially, the history of benzodiazepine use was significantly high in antipsychotics users. The total score and sub-items of delirium rating scale-severity items except for the psychomotor retardation item showed higher scores in antipsychotic users than in nonusers (all p<0.05). The total score of the delirium rating scale-diagnosis items was higher in antipsychotic users than in the nonusers (p=0.010). Conclusions : Delirium patients with more severe delirium symptoms and with more history of benzodiazepine use were treated with antipsychotics more frequently than those without. These findings imply that benzodiazepine may not only exacerbate delirium but be associated with aggression or psychomotor agitation that need immediate intervention. Clinicians may need to pay attention not only these external symptoms but also to hypoactive symptoms that may lead to misdiagnosis and undertreatment.

• Korean Business Review
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.109-126
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• 2005

There are several changes of living conditions in Korea during the past 40 years. The changes in living conditions are the change of family type, the increase in income, the aging society, the introduction of five-working day, the protection of environment, etc. These changes bring about a social phenomenon so-called the well-being which seek after the pleasure of healthy life. This study is based on the limited literature reviews, focusing on the correct understanding these changes and the well-being life style in Korea in order to provide the enterprise with some insights.

• Journal of the Korean Society of School Health
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• v.5 no.1
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• pp.36-63
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• 1992

The purpose of this study was development of school health education curriculum in primary school based on analysis of the textbooks published in 1991. 1) The health education curriculum in primary school consisted of four major components such as health education aspects of the healthful school environments, health education aspects of school health services, health education course, and health instruction in related subjects. However, health instruction taught by physical education, biology, and other health related subjects was not systematic organization for health care. 2) A considerable amount of health knowledge and attitude, and some health practices was learned as the result of experiences in other courses, where there was little or no reference to health. It must be developed health edcation course separated from health related subjects. 3) Direct health insruction was represented by the health education course. The health education courses must be considered to be heart of the school health education curriculum. 4) The health education course developed by this study was consisted of eight health units and problems in the early elementary grade or health classes in the higher years. 5) The health education course developed by this study provided the opportunity for acquring new knowledge, attitude, and practice, for discarding the unhealtful attitude and strengthening the healthful attitude and practices of primary school students.

• Korean Journal of Psychosomatic Medicine
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• v.27 no.1
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• pp.60-68
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• 2019

Objectives : The association between thyroid-related hormones and cognitive function has been controversial. The purpose of this study is to compare the levels of thyroid-related hormones in patients with Alzheimer's disease (AD) and mild cognitive impairment (MCI). Furthermore, we investigated the relationship between thyroid-related hormones and cognitive function. Methods : From January 2011 to December 2018, we retrospectively reviewed 105 patients who were diagnosed with AD and MCI by visiting a dementia clinic at Ilsan Paik Hospital. Thyroid-related hormones [triiodothyronine (T3), thyroxine (T4), and thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH)] was measured using chemiluminescent immunoassay. An independent sample t-test was performed to analyze the mean value of thyroid-related hormones in patients of AD and MCI. To investigate whether thyroid-related hormones correlate significantly with Global deterioration scale (GDS), Clinical dementia rating (CDR) and scores of each The Korean version of the consortium to establish a registry for Alzheimer's disease items, we conducted a partial correlation analysis with geriatric depression scale-Korean version (GDS-K) scores as covariates. Results : There was no significant difference in the mean serum T3, T4 and TSH levels between patients of the AD and the MCI, but the Construction Praxis Test (CPT) showed a significant positive correlation with the serum TSH concentration (p-value=0.004). Conclusions : In our study, the positive correlation between serum TSH level and the CPT associated with executive function was found to be helpful in understanding the association between thyroid-related hormones and the pathophysiology of dementia. Prospective studies in regard of the pathophysiology of thyroid-related hormones on cognitive function will be necessary in the future.