• Korean Journal of Psychosomatic Medicine
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• v.16 no.2
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• pp.112-119
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• 2008

Objectives : Premenstrual syndrome(PMS) is known to occur in more than 80% of reproductive women. Since PMS is closely related to changes in sex hormones, biological factors are suspected to be associated with the syndrome, but there have been no consistent reports regarding biological causes. In that sense, it is postulated that the occurrence of PMS is much dependent on the biological aspects, but that the severity or characteristics of the syndrome is more dependent on the psychological factors. Studies focusing on psychological factors are based on the theory that symptoms of PMS and previous psychologically traumatic events are closely related. If the theory is valid, it can be further postulated that symptom severity of PMS is associated with dissociative symptoms, since traumatic events are known to be related to dissociative symptoms. In this study, we tried to find out the association of PMS symptom severity with previous abuse history and dissociative symptoms. Methods : Subjects for the study were 377 nurses working in Seoul, Kyung-gi, and Kyung-book. 183 subjects who submitted valid data entered the study. The presence and the symptom severity of PMS were rated using Daily Records of Severity of Problems(DRSP) and Shortened Premenstrual Assessment Form(SPAF). Dissociative symptoms were evaluated with Dissociation Experience Scale Korean version(DES-K). Previous physical/verbal abuse, sexual abuse, and parental spouse abuse experience were rated with correspondent abuse scales. Results : Subjects were divided into 3 groups as No PMS group, mild to moderate PMS group, and severe PMS group according to SPAF total score. There was a statistically significant difference in DES-K total score among 3 groups($x^2=14.966$, df=2, p=0.001). Physical/verbal abuse scale($x^2=14.397$, df=2, p=0.001), sexual abuse scale($x^2=8.376$, df=2, p=0.015), and parental spouse abuse scale($x^2=9.322$, df=2, p=0.009) also revealed a significant difference among 3 groups. Symptom severity of PMS using SPAF total score showed a positive correlation both with degree of dissociative experience and previous abuse experience. There was a statistically significant difference in both dissociative experience and previous abuse experience among 3 groups. Conclusion : These results show that there can be a possible association among PMS symptoms, dissociative symptoms, and previous psychologically traumatic experience.

• Anxiety and mood
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.72-79
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• 2022

Objective : Any traumatic event can be a risk factor, for subsequent mental disorder. However, childhood trauma, especially in interpersonal nature, is associated with later development of complex symptom patterns. This study examined the role of dissociation as a mediator between childhood trauma and symptom complexity. Methods : A pooled data of 369 psychiatric outpatients at a university-affiliated hospital was analyzed for descriptive statistics, group differences, and bivariate correlation analysis to verify a structural model. The questionnaires included the Symptom Checklist-90-Revised, the Trauma History Screen, the Dissociative Experiences Scale-Taxon, the Beck Depression Inventory, the Beck Anxiety Inventory, and the Abbreviated PTSD checklist. Results : When other trauma variables were controlled, childhood interpersonal trauma had significant correlation with symptom complexity (r=0.155, p=0.003). Among the paths analyzed, that of childhood interpersonal trauma and dissociation showed the greatest impact on symptom complexity (b=9.34, t=5.75, p<0.001). Based on the significance of the indirect impact, the results suggest a complete mediation impact of dissociation on symptom complexity. Conclusion : This study validated that childhood interpersonal trauma impacts symptom complexity, through the sequential mediating impact of dissociation. Thus, clinicians should understand childhood interpersonal trauma, dissociation, and symptom patterns in a complex and interacting mode, and develop effective pertinent treatment strategies.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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• v.14 no.5
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• pp.2225-2233
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• 2013

This study was designed to identify the extent of incident shock who are in high risk of post traumatic shock stress, and analyze the related factors that affect the extent of incident shock. The subjects are 415 rescue workers from Seoul Metropolitan Fire & Disaster Headquarters, who are in high frequency of fire outbreaks and rescue mobilization. With a reliability of Cronbach's ${\alpha}$=.975, the results show invasion, avoidance, sleep disorder and emotional paralysis, dissociative symptom, hyper arousal as foremost causes respectively. Moreover, the results imply that the extent of incident shock was higher in people with more age or being married. Also, from the occupational perspective, the number of years as fire fighters, as rescue workers, mobilization and experiences at work in proportion to incident shocks has risen exponentially. It is notable that the groups who alleviate stress by consuming liquors had higher extent of incident shock. In conclusion, to deal with groups in high risk, management system and prevention care programs for incident shocks need to be introduced immediately and put into effect.

• Anxiety and mood
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• v.7 no.1
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• pp.29-33
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• 2011

Objective : This study was performed to analyze the relationship between posttraumatic stress, coping style, and dissociation in Korean firefighters. Methods : Subjects included 193 male and 9 female firefighters in the metropolitan city of Daejeon. Their age ranged from 25 to 57 with an average of 39.17 (SD : 7.572) years. Their posttraumatic stress or traumatic experiences were assessed with the Korean Version of the Posttraumatic Stress Diagnostic Scale. Their coping style was categorized with the Korean version of the Ways of Coping Checklist. Their dissociation was assessed with the Korean version of Dissociative Experiences Scale. The data analysis included a correlation analysis and structural equation modeling. The modeling tested the validity of the model that posttraumatic stress had a direct effect on dissociation and coping style had an mediatory effect between stress and dissociation. Results : First, firefighters' posttraumatic stress or traumatic experiences had a direct effect on dissociation, a symptom of a mental disorder. Second, the firefighters employed passive styles to cope with their stress. This is explained that they had been exposed to their traumatic events repeatedly without being able to control it themselves. Third, coping style had no effect on the mediation between posttraumatic stress and dissociation. This is explained in terms of repeated exposure to the traumatic events. Conclusion : Based on the results, it is concluded that Korean firefighters' dissociation was not relieved by their coping effort but associated directly with their traumatic experiences. To decrease their dissociation, it is necessary to reduce the exposure to their traumatic events.