• Anxiety and mood
• /
• v.14 no.1
• /
• pp.7-13
• /
• 2018

Objective : To determine the association between occupational stress and disordered eating problem in Korean female employees. Methods : We studied 1,452 female employees who attended mental health screenings. Using the Korean Occupational Stress Scale-Short Form (KOSS-SF) and 26-item Korean version of Eating Attitude Test, occupational stress and disordered eating problem were evaluated, respectively. Sociodemographic and clinical characteristics of those with disordered eating problem were examined. Multiple logistic regression analysis was performed to determine which subscale of KOSS-SF was associated with disordered eating problem. Results : Disordered eating problem was associated with interpersonal conflict [odds ratio (OR) 1.882, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.138-3.112] among various kinds of job stresses. Lack of reward (OR 7.164, 95% CI 1.139-45.043) and insufficient job control (OR 1.953, 95% CI 1.119-3.411) were associated with disordered eating problem in the underweight and normal weight group, respectively. Conclusion : There is an association between occupational stress and disordered eating problem among Korean female employees.

• Anxiety and mood
• /
• v.13 no.1
• /
• pp.32-38
• /
• 2017

Objective : Several recent studies determined the associations of job stress with depression and suicidal idea, but the association between the number of job stress components and depression remains unclear. In the present study, we investigated the associations of the number of components of job stress with depression and suicidal idea. Methods : We studied 194,226 participants who attended employee health screenings from January to December, 2014, and completely answered all the questionnaires, including the short form of Korean Occupational Stress Scale (KOSS), the Center for Epidemiologic Study-Depression (CES-D) and suicidal idea. The presence of clinical depressive symptoms was defined as a CES-D score of ${\geq}21$. The subjects in the highest quartile of each subscale of KOSS were considered as suffering from each component of job stress. Chisquare tests, t-tests and logistic regressions were performed to compare study outcomes between groups. Results : When we included all seven components of job stress, there was no significant association of the number of the components with depressive symptoms, or suicidal idea. However, the prevalence of depressive symptoms and suicidal idea was increased only in three occupational stress subscales including job demand, job insecurity and occupational climate. When we analyzed only these 3 components of job stress, the number of job stress subscales was significantly associated with depressive symptoms and suicidal idea, even after adjustment for sex and age. Conclusion : The number of components of occupational stress was associated with depressive symptoms and suicidal idea, only in the related components.

• Korean Journal of Community Nutrition
• /
• v.16 no.1
• /
• pp.14-22
• /
• 2011

This study was designed to compare the incidence and severity of premenstrual syndrome (PMS) between normal (N = 85) and overweight or obese (N = 28) college female students and investigated correlation between PMS, nutrient intake, hematological index and psychological index (depression, anxiety, stress). Each subject was asked a Menstrual Discomfort Questionnaire (MDQ) for PMS by 5 Likert scale. The PMS scores of women in the normal weight subjects ranked in order of severity were water retention (2.71), followed by behavioral change (2.58), negative affect (2.46), pain (2.31), autonomic reaction (2.27), decreased concentration (2.16). The symptoms of 'pain' and 'behavioral change' of overweight or obese subject were significantly higher than those of normal subject (p < 0.05). And total cholesterol concentration of overweight or obese subjects was significantly higher than in normal subject (p < 0.05). There was a significant positive correlation (p < 0.05) between the symptoms of 'negative effect' and BMI. And the triglyceride concentration was positively related with 'water retention (p < 0.01)'. The symptoms of 'decreased concentration' were negatively correlated with calcium (p < 0.01) and vitamin B6 intake (p < 0.05). The depression score were positively related with symptoms of 'behavioral change (p < 0.05)', 'negative affect' (p < 0.01), and the anxiety score was positively correlated with 'behavioral change (p < 0.05)' and 'decreased concentration (p < 0.05)'. The stress score was positively correlated with 'decreased concentration (p < 0.01)', 'behavioral change (p < 0.05)' and 'negative affect (p < 0.05)'. This suggests that PMS represents the clinical manifestation of a calcium, vitamin $B_6$ deficiency and psychological disorder. Therefore we concluded that nutrient supplementation, depression and stress management may help to relieve PMS symptoms.

• Safety and Health at Work
• /
• v.9 no.1
• /
• pp.101-108
• /
• 2018

Background: Work and work environment have a critical influence on adolescent workers' health. They are subjected to more risks than adults. The aim of this study is to examine psychological health outcomes in adolescent workers in the areas of depression, somatization, anxiety, hostility, and negative self-concept, and to investigate any related factors. Methods: This is a descriptive and cross-sectional study. Research samples were collected from adolescent workers between 15 and 18 years old attending a 1-day mandatory education course at vocational training centers, working 5 days per week in small enterprises. Data were collected using the following instruments: Brief Symptom Inventory, Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support, and Descriptive Characteristics of Children's Assessment Form. Results: The investigation covers 837 young workers, of whom 675 were males and 162 were females. The majority of the families had low incomes (68.1%). Overall, 33.5% of the adolescents had been hospitalized because of health problems. Their average weekly working hours were $78.1{\pm}10.7$. Almost 50% of adolescent workers scored above the mean average in the Brief Symptom Inventory, indicating serious pschological health symptoms. Those who scored high for hostility, depression, negative self-concept, anxiety, and somatization were between 45.4% and 48.9% of the sample. Logistic regression analysis was conducted to determine the underlying factors: a perception of "feeling very bad" health conditions was 2.07-fold whereas the rate of "no annual leave" was 0.73-fold, and both were found to be effective on psychological problems. Conclusion: In this study, it seems likely that psychological health problems are the result of multiple adverse factors including working conditions, annual leave, and health considerations.

• Anxiety and mood
• /
• v.6 no.1
• /
• pp.65-70
• /
• 2010

Objectives : Indirect contact with trauma may occur when a person empathically listens to detailed descriptions, exposing the person to intense emotional pain from trauma victims. Although less severe than direct trauma, indirectly traumatized persons may experience the same fear, rage, and despair as direct trauma victims. This phenomenon has been variously termed vicarious trauma, traumatic countertransference, burnout, compassion fatigue, and secondary traumatic stress. Using a psychiatric symptoms questionnaires, this study investigated the effects of indirect exposure to co-worker's trauma on the mental health of firefighters who had not directly experienced traumatic events in the previous year. Methods : We administered self-report questionnaires, such as the Impact of Event Scale-Revised (IESR) and Alcohol Use Disorder Identification Test (AUDIT), to firefighters working at two fire stations in a metropolitan city. We analyzed 188 of 232 collected surveys, after excluding falsely entered data (28 cases) and questionnaires by directly-traumatized victims (16 cases). Results : Alcohol consumption and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms, as determined by the AUDIT and IES-R, were significantly higher in the indirectly-traumatized group. The ratio of high-risk members scoring higher than 23 in IES-R was larger in the indirectly traumatized group, although this was not statistically significant. Conclusion : Alcohol consumption was significantly higher in the indirectly traumatized group. This group also included more members at high risk for PTSD. Further research, with a larger group of indirectly traumatized firefighters and ongoing investigation of PTSD development and other psychiatric symptoms, is needed.

• Anxiety and mood
• /
• v.8 no.1
• /
• pp.9-15
• /
• 2012

Objectives : The purpose of this study was to assess the health-related quality of life (HRQoL) for patients with panic disorder using EQ-5D and EQ-VAS, and to examine the relationship between health-related quality of life and clinical outcomes following treatment. Methods : 29 patients with panic disorder were recruited from the Seoul Metropolitan area and 20 patients were followed up after two months of outpatient treatment. The Panic Disorder Severity Scale (PDSS) was used to assess the severity of the panic disorder and the changes in symptoms. HRQoL was assessed with EQ-5D and EQ-VAS at baseline and at two months of treatment. Results : All enrolled panic disorder patients showed significantly impairment of HRQoL in view of the subscales of EQ-5D, EQ-VAS index scores. The severity of PDSS was correlated the HRQoL in the panic patients. After treatment, the EQ-5D, EQ-VAS index scores showed significant improvement. Conclusion : Panic disorder patients suffer from lower HRQoL as well as from symptoms of the disorder. They showed clinical improvement and a restored HRQoL with treatment. These outcomes suggest using the EQ-5D, EQ-VAS such as the HRQoL in the assessment of patients with panic disorder is essential.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
• /
• v.12 no.6
• /
• pp.521-526
• /
• 2018

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Although a lot of effort has been put into increasing fruit and vegetable intakes in preschool children, vegetable intake in this group is still low. This study investigated whether nutrition education focusing on fruit and vegetable intakes can affect preschoolers' fruit and vegetable intakes as well as their behavioral outcomes. SUBJECTS/METHODS: Thirty-five preschoolers (54.3% boys, n = 19) aged 4-6 years residing in Seoul underwent weekly nutrition education intervention (8 sessions) between May and July 2016. Intakes of fruits and vegetables were measured during pre and post-intervention. At snack time, fresh fruit (150 g) and vegetable (120 g) snacks were distributed to each child by teachers. The remaining portions of the snacks were weighed and recorded for each child. Behavioral outcomes were measured by applying Child behavior checklist 1.5-5 and the Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders. RESULTS: During post intervention, vegetable intake increased from $36.15{\pm}30.64g$ to $48.01{\pm}31.23g$ (P = 0.010). Among the emotional and behavioral problems measured by parents, levels of total problems (P = 0.001), internalizing (P = 0.004), externalizing (P = 0.003), anxiety and depression (P = 0.001), and aggressive behavior (P = 0.005) decreased. Anxiety (P = 0.026) score, as measured by teachers, also decreased. CONCLUSIONS: Nutrition education of preschoolers regarding the intakes of fruits and vegetables had a positive effect on preschoolers' vegetable intake as well as on their emotional and behavioral outcomes. A long-term, large-scale study with a broader study design is warranted to further investigate the role of fruit and vegetable intake in cognitive development and behavior of preschoolers.

• Journal of the Korean society of biological therapies in psychiatry
• /
• v.24 no.3
• /
• pp.209-217
• /
• 2018

Objectives : The purpose of this study was to investigate the prevalence and risk factors of suicidality among community-dwelling elderly. Methods : The participants were 2,201 elderly people whose ages were over 65. The participants were asked to complete questionnaires, including Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview(MINI), module C, Short Geriatric Depression Scale of Korean version(SGDS-K), Korean Geriatric Anxiety Inventory(K-GAI), The Korean Health Status Measure for Elderly V 1.0, Korean version of Mini-Mental Status Examination for Dementia Screening(MMSE-DS). Their sociodemographic factors were investigated. The data were analyzed using the chi-square test and the logistic regression test to examine the relationship between suicidality and participants' risk factors. Results : The prevalence rate of suicidality was 23.3%. In multiple logistic regression, depressive symptoms (OR=3.301, 95% CI : 2.453-4.440), anxiety symptoms(OR=3.289, 95% CI : 2.515-4.303), low physical function (OR=1.606, 95% CI : 1.229-2.098), no spouse(OR=1.571, 95% CI : 1.037-1.690), elderly aged 80 years or older (OR=1.506, 95% CI : 1.094-1.740) were independently associated with suicidality. Conclusion : Suicidality in community-dwelling elderly was quite high, particularly related to depressive symptoms. The results of this study can be useful for development of community-based prevention and management programs for suicidality.

• Women's Health Nursing
• /
• v.27 no.4
• /
• pp.326-336
• /
• 2021

Purpose: This study explored the prevalence of prenatal and postpartum depression in Korea and its influencing factors from 20 weeks of pregnancy to 12 weeks postpartum. Methods: Using a prospective cohort study design, data on women's depression and its influencing factors were collected at 20, 28, and 36 weeks of pregnancy and at 2, 6, and 12 weeks postpartum. The participants were 219 women and 181 spouses during pregnancy; and 183 mothers and 130 spouses after childbirth. Depressive symptoms were assessed by the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale and influencing factors were measured by the Postpartum Depression Predictors Inventory-Revised, parity, and spousal depression. Results: The prevalence of maternal depression was 10.5% to 21.5% before birth, and it was 22.4% to 32.8% postpartum. The prevalence slightly decreased during the prenatal period but peaked at 2 weeks postpartum. Antenatal depression was influenced by low socioeconomic status, lower self-esteem, having experienced prenatal depression, having experienced prenatal anxiety, a previous history of depression, lower social support, lower marital satisfaction, and higher life stress. The factors influencing postpartum depression were lower self-esteem, having experienced prenatal depression, having experienced prenatal anxiety, lower social support, lower marital satisfaction, and higher life stress, as well as infant temperament and maternal blues. Parity and spousal depression had no impacts. Conclusion: The prevalence and influencing factors of maternal depression changed over time. Nurses need to screen women accordingly during the perinatal period and should provide education or counseling to prevent depression and promote adjustment to parenthood.

• 대한상한금궤의학회지
• /
• v.13 no.1
• /
• pp.45-59
• /
• 2021

Objectives: This study was conducted to confirm the reproducibility of the diagnosis of greater yin disease (太陰病) and the efficacy of herbal treatment using Gyejigajakyak-tang or Gyejigadaehwang-tang in somatic symptom disorder (SSD). We also further refined the characteristics of greater yin disease in SSD. Methods: We analyzed the demographic and treatment data of seven patients with SSD from four Korean medical clinics. The reliability of diagnosis and the efficacy of the treatments were evaluated by the Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI), a numerical rating scale (NRS), and the patients' statements. Finally, we analyzed patients according to the diagnostic points of Shanghanlun provision 273. Results: Seven SSD patients took Gyejigajakyak-tang or Gyejigadaehwang-tang. The mean age of the patients was 52.1±15.8 years old, and the herbal medication period was 82.2±38.2 days. At the first visit, the patients showed hypochondriasis, obvious stress, and a severe BAI score (40.4±10.9). The NRS significantly decreased from 8.9±1.6 to 0.7±0.7 after the treatments. There were no side effects reported. As a result of analyzing these 7 cases, hypochondriasis, obvious stress, and anxiety were identified, which had been previously suggested as 自痛, 因爾, and 結硬. Conclusions: We confirmed the reproducibility of greater yin disease in 7 SSD cases from 4 medical institutions. These results imply that there could be a considerable relation between SSD and greater yin disease as defined by the Shanghanlun provisions.