• Korean Journal of Biological Psychiatry
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• v.15 no.2
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• pp.110-117
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• 2008

Objectives : Posttraumatic stress disorder(PTSD) has been primarily associated with emotional problems. Recently, however, the impact of PTSD on cognitive processes has interested a growing number of researchers. The current study is aimed at investigating the cognitive aspects of PTSD at both behavioral and neurological levels. Methods : We recruited individuals with PTSD who survived the Daegu subway explosion in 2003 as well as non-PTSD individuals as a control group. To evaluate the inhibitory processes and the neural mechanisms, we had these individuals perform the negative priming task simultaneously with functional MRI scanning. Results : Behaviorally, the negative priming effect was intact in the control group but was not evident in the PTSD group. In the imaging results, only the PTSD group showed the negative priming effect (i.e., increased activation of the negative priming condition as opposed to the neutral condition) in the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex, anterior cingulate cortex, and inferior temporal gyrus. The PTSD group also showed increased activity for the positive priming condition as opposed to the neutral condition in the claustrum. These results confirm and extend the previous findings that the integrity of the ACC is compromised in the trauma survivors due to disrupted white matter tract. Conclusions : The current results suggest that deteriorated performance of the PTSD group may be due to the functional problem as well as the structural abnormalities.

• Korean Journal of Biological Psychiatry
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.10-18
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• 2017

Occupational hazards of firefighting and rescue works include frequent exposure to emergencies and life-threatening situations. These stressful work conditions of being constantly under pressure and exposed to potentially traumatic events put them at higher risk of developing posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), compared to the general population. PTSD is a potentially debilitating mental disorder, due to persistent intrusive thoughts, negative alterations of mood and cognition, hypervigilance, avoidance of similar situations and reminders, and re-experiences of the traumatic event. Previous studies have shown a relatively high prevalence of PTSD among firefighters, indicating the need for a systematic approach of early detection and prevention. Therefore, a critical review of the current literature on PTSD in firefighters would provide valuable insights into developing effective prevention and intervention programs. Literature indicated that there are risk factors of PTSD in firefighters, such as pre-existing depression, anxiety, sleep disorders, occupational stress, physical symptoms, and binge drinking, whereas social support and adequate rewards are protective factors. Although there are differences in the prevalence of PTSD across studies, partly due to various assessment tools utilized, different sample sizes, and sample characteristics, over one tenth of the firefighters were estimated to have PTSD. The current review warrants further investigations to precisely assess PTSD and co-morbid mental disorders, functional outcomes, and associated factors, and to develop evidence-based preventive and interventional programs to help firefighters with PTSD.

• Anxiety and mood
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• v.3 no.2
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• pp.123-127
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• 2007

Objective : This study was conducted to evaluate the relation between symptoms and hippocampal volume in patients with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Methods : Eight patients with PTSD and five normal controls were enrolled in the present study. The severity of PTSD symptoms was measured using the clinician administered PTSD scale (CAPS), Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression (HAMD), Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale (HAMA). Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was used to measure hippocampal volume. Results : There were significant differences in the CAPS, HAMD, and HAMA scores between the PTSD patients and normal controls. The left and right hippocampal volumes were smaller in the PTSD patients than in the normal controls, but this difference was not statistically significant. The results showed that PTSD symptoms were not related to hippocampal volume. Conclusion : In this study, we could not identify a difference in hippocampal volume between normal controls and patients with PTSD at eight months after trauma. Future research with different subjects and a larger sample size is needed in order to confirm the difference in hippocampal volume.

• Journal of Korean Clinical Nursing Research
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• v.26 no.1
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• pp.97-106
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• 2020

Purpose: This study was conducted to investigate the incidence and associated factors with post-traumatic stress disorders (PTSD) in patients with intensive care units (ICU) admission experience. Methods: This study is a retrospective observational study using self-reporting questionnaire. Patients who were admitted to ICU more than 72 hours and agreed to participate were enrolled in this study. PTSD were assessed by Korean version of post-traumatic diagnosis scale, and PTSD was defined as 20 points or more. Medical records of participants were reviewed to identify influencing factors of PTSD. To analyzed the data, descriptive statistics, Mann-Whitney U test, Kruskal-Wallis test and gamma regression were utilized using SPSS/WIN 23.0 program. Results: A total of 128 patients participated in the study. Mean age of participants was 58.3±11.7 years and 50 patients (39.1%) were female. Mean duration of ICU stay was 8.43±8.09 days and PTSD was diagnosed in 12 patients (9.4%). In the results of a Gamma regression analysis, Psychiatric history (B=1.09, p=.002), APACHEII score (B=.04, p=.005), CPR experience (B=1.65, p=.017) and physical restraint (B=.68, p=.049) were independently associated with PTSD occurrence. Conclusion: The results of this study suggest that a various factors influencing PTSD should be identified to prevent PTSD in patients who requires ICU care. In addition, post-ICU care programs are required to assess and reduce PTSD.

• Korean Security Journal
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• no.56
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• pp.31-54
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• 2018

The objective of this study is to provide psychological welfare promotion method of police officers who experience trauma and PTSD due to police activity in local community while handling various accidents and protecting civil life and safety at the forefront of the national disaster accident site. For this objective, following countermeasure was presented through trauma/PTSD-related literature and in-depth interview with police officers who experienced trauma and PTSD. First, psychological examination is required to be performed positively and realistically for the police officers. As police officers have high emotional labor stress not only by physical burden but also by civil service, a regular psychological examination shall be established systematically together with physical rest. Second, proper action for the regular psychological examination result of the police officers is required. Third, a psychological support system for the police officers is required to be established and for this objective, expansion of police-operated mindful accompanying center and its devoted operation are required to be performed. Fourth, an opportunity of getting rid of stress of police officers shall be provided and for this objective, required budget for activating club activity is required to be allocated and activity condition should be created.

• Anxiety and mood
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• v.17 no.2
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• pp.59-66
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• 2021

Objective : The purpose of this study is to investigate the relationship among the degree of symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and social support, stress coping strategies, and self-esteem in patients with PTSD. Methods : A total of 48 patients meeting DSM-5 criteria for PTSD and 48 normal controls were recruited for participation in this study. We evaluated subjects using the Clinician-Administered PTSD Scale (CAPS), Hamilton Anxiety Scale (HAM-A), Hamilton Depression Scale (HAM-D), Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale (RSES), Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support (MSPSS) and The Ways of Stress Coping Questionnaire (SCQ). We analyzed data using an independent t-test and Pearson's correlation analysis. Results : In PTSD patients, total CAPS scores showed a significant positive correlation with HAM-A and HAM-D scores and a significant negative correlation with MSPSS scores. RSES scores showed a significant positive correlation with MSPSS and SCQ scores. MSPSS scores showed a significant negative correlation with PTSD avoidance and numbing and HAM-D scores. SCQ scores showed a significant negative correlation with PTSD avoidance and numbing. Conclusion : These results revealed that the better the stress coping strategies and social support, the lower the degree of symptoms in patients with PTSD. In addition, it was found that the higher the social support and self-esteem, the lower the degree of depression and anxiety. Therefore, in the treatment process, it seems important to identify and correct the self-esteem, social support system, and stress coping strategies of patients with PTSD.

• Korean Journal of Psychosomatic Medicine
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• v.28 no.2
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• pp.155-160
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• 2020

Objectives : This study investigate to identify the stability of temperament and personality characteristics of patients including Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) patients. Methods : The number of subjects was 102, of which 33 were PTSD patients and 69 were non-PTSD patients. To demonstrate the change in individual temperament and personality characteristics, Temperament and Character Inventory (TCI) were administered repeatedly on the subjects. Repeated measures ANOVA and simple main effects analysis were conducted. Results : When analysed by dividing the subjects into PTSD groups and non-PTSD groups, the differences between the primary and secondary tests did not appear in the non-PTSD groups, but the differences between the primary and secondary tests were significant in Harm Avoidance (HA), Reward Dependence (RD), Self-Directedness (SD), Cooperativeness (C). In addition, it was noted that the time and group interaction effects of HA, RD, SD and C were significant, and that the main effects of time of HA, RD, SD and C were significant. Conclusions : This study is meaningful in that in the course of experience and recovery of traumatic events, we have clinically confirmed that changes in the temperament, known as stable variables, are possible.

• Safety and Health at Work
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• v.13 no.3
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• pp.269-278
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• 2022

Background: PTSD (Post-traumatic stress disorder, PTSD) had a great impact on health care workers during the COVID-19 (Corona Virus Disease 2019, COVID-19). Better knowledge of the prevalence of PTSD and its risk factors is a major public health problem. This study was conducted to assess the prevalence and important risk factors of PTSD among medical staff during the COVID-19. Methods: The databases were searched for studies published during the COVID-19, and a PRISMA (preferred reporting items for systematic review and meta-analysis) compliant systematic review (PROSPERO-CRD 42021278970) was carried out to identify articles from multiple databases reporting the prevalence of PTSD outcomes among medical staff. Proportion random effect analysis, I² statistic, quality assessment, subgroup analysis, and sensitivity analysis were carried out. Results: A total of 28 cross-sectional studies and the PTSD results of doctors and nurses were summarized from 14 and 27 studies: the prevalences were 31% (95% CI [confidence interval, CI]: 21%-40%) and 38% (95% CI: 30%-45%) in doctors and nurses, respectively. The results also showed seven risks (p < 0.05): long working hours, isolation wards, COVID-19 symptoms, nurses, women, fear of infection, and pre-existing mental illness. Two factors were of borderline significance: higher professional titles and married. Conclusion: Health care workers have a higher prevalence of PTSD during COVID-19. Health departments should provide targeted preventive measures for medical staff away from PTSD.

• Journal of Oriental Neuropsychiatry
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• v.25 no.1
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• pp.73-84
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• 2014

The purpose of this study was to introduce a PTSD patient who experienced significant effects of mindfulness meditation and Ii-Gyeung-Byun-Qi therapy. Our psychotherapy was executed five times a week for the 14-year-old male patient who attended middle school and was diagnosed by DSM-IV Diagnostic Criteria for PTSD, and then the MMPI-A was evaluated to determine the effects after 3 months. The results showed normal profiles of MMPI-A validity scales and Clinical Scales profile after his treatment, positive changes in content scales, and significant decreases of PSYC (psychoticism) and NEGE (negative emotionality) in PSY-5 scales. This study made through a case report on the treated psychotherapy for PTSD by the applications of modern psychological techniques in the Korean psychotherapy. We expected that this case report will have a role in development of standardized psychotherapy programs for PTSD.

• Korean Journal of Biological Psychiatry
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• v.10 no.2
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• pp.147-158
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• 2003

Objective:The differences of various neurocognitive functions, including attention, memory, motor function, and higher cognitive function were compared between PTSD patients and normal control subjects. Also, correlation with PTSD symptom severity and neurocognitive functions were evaluated between PTSD patients and normal control subjects. Method:We assessed the neurocognitive functions by computerized neurocognitive test(CNT) batteries. The visual continuous performance test(CPT) and digit span test, finger tapping test and Wisconsin card sorting test(WCST) were executed. The Impact of Event Scale-Revised(IES-R) was used in the evaluation of the severity of PTSD. Result:The PTSD patients showed significantly impaired neurocognitive performance in all of the items, compared with normal control subjects. The relation between impairment in neurocognitive functions and symptom severity showed significant correlations. Conclusion:These results imply that PTSD patients have impaired neurocognitive functions concerning with specific brain areas, especially the frontal area. For the thorough evaluation of further neurocognitive functions, more detailed evaluation items of neurocognitive functions and brain imaging studies are necessary in the future study.