• Korean Journal of Psychosomatic Medicine
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• v.6 no.1
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• pp.28-34
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• 1998

Objective: This study was designed to evaluate the etiological factors of the PTSD(post traumatic stress disorder) by examining the relationship between severity of physical trauma and subsequent the severity of PTSD symptom in traffic accident related PTSD patients. Method: Subjects were 21 psychiatric inpatients with history of traffic accident related PTSD(DSM-IV criteria), the purpose of evaluation of mental disability and no evidence of organic brain leisons. The severity of physical trauma was assessed by McBride number of nonpsychiatric department and the presence / absence of loss of conciousness. The severity of PTSD symptom was assessed by Hovens' self rating inventory for PTSD. And then we evaluated the correlation between these two factors. And we also evaluated relationship between severity of PTSD symtom and clinical variables. Results : There were no significant relationship between McBride number of nonpsychiatric department severity and symptomatic severity(r= 0.17, p<0.05), the presence / absence of loss of conciousness and symptomatic severity(p>0.05). And significant relationship between symptomatic severity and clinical varibles such as sex, education level, marital status(p<0.05). Conclusions : These data did not support data of previous studies that traumatic severity was correlated with symptom severity but, suggested that other variables affecting the severity of PTSD symptom is more important indirectly. And that the 'trauma' in PTSD is psychological meaning rather than physical meaning is also suggested.

• Anxiety and mood
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• v.5 no.2
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• pp.125-132
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• 2009

Objective : This study examined psychiatric characteristics of wounded persons of Daegu subway fire accident occurring in February 2003 after six years. Methods : 103 wounded persons completed psychometric measures at 2 months and 6 years after the accident. Changes of psychiatric symptoms were compared and factors affecting post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) seriousness were examined. Results : In Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory, the scores of Psychopathic Deviate (Pd), Masculinity/ Femininity (Mf), Social Introversion (Si) scales were significantly changed over time. The scores of Symptoms Checklist-90-Revision subscales were mostly decreased over time, however, paranoid ideation (PAR) subsclae scores were not significantly changed over time. In all of the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI)-State, Beck Depression Inventory, Impact of Event Scale, and PTSD Checklist-Civilian, mean scores at 6 years after the accident were significantly lower than those at 2 months after the accident. However, STAI-Trait score was not significantly changed over time. Total seriousness of PTSD was found to be affected by quality of sleep. Conclusions : Psychiatric symptoms of subjects were largely improved over time, but distrust and doubt of others were continued. In addition, the wounded persons suffered from sleep problems. Therefore, early and continuous interventions of public institutions and public health specialists are needed for the wounded persons with chronic psychiatric disorders.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.13-21
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• 2011

Background: This study aimed to evaluate processes from the mutual maintenance model in relation to daily functioning in patients with both chronic pain and a history of a traumatic experience. The mechanism illustrated the structural relations for daily functioning among pain intensity, hyperarousal, re-experiencing, trauma avoidance, and pain avoidance. Methods: Archival data (N = 214) was used for this study and data were analyzed for 142 chronic pain patients reporting a traumatic experience and seeking treatment at a tertiary pain clinic in Korea. Results: The results indicated that pain intensity, hyperarousal, and pain avoidance had significant direct effects on daily functioning. Also, pain intensity showed significant indirect effects on daily functioning through hyperarousal and pain avoidance; and hyperarousal through pain avoidance. Conclusions: Results suggest a direct contribution of high levels of pain, hyperarousal symptoms of PTSD, and pain avoidance behaviors to reduced daily functioning. Also, elevated pain as reminders of the trauma may trigger high levels of hyperarousal symptoms of PTSD. Subsequently, avoidant coping strategies may be used to minimize pain so that the trauma would not be re-experienced, thus inhibiting the activation of hyperarousal symptoms of PTSD. However, prolonged use of such strategies may contribute to decline in daily functioning.

• Journal of Pharmacopuncture
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• v.27 no.1
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• pp.27-37
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• 2024

Objectives: Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a prevalent mental health condition, and techniques using sensory stimulation in processing traumatic memories have gained attention. The Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT) is a psychotherapy that combines tapping on acupoints with exposure to cognitive reframing. This pilot study aimed to assess the feasibility of EFT as a treatment for PTSD by answering the following research questions: 1) What is the compliance and completion rate of patients with PTSD with regard to EFT protocol? Is the dropout rate reasonable? 2) Is the effect size of EFT protocol for PTSD sufficient to justify a future trial? Methods: Thirty participants diagnosed with PTSD were recruited. They received weekly EFT sessions for five weeks, in which they repeated a statement acknowledging the problem and accepting themselves while tapping the SI3 acupoint on the side of their hand. PTSD symptoms were evaluated using the PTSD Checklist for DSM-5 (PCL-5) before and after the intervention. Results: Of the 30 PTSD patients (mean age: 34.1 ± 9.1, 80% female), 96.7% showed over 80% compliance to the EFT sessions, and 86.7% completed the entire study process. The mean PCL-5 total score decreased significantly after the intervention, with a large effect size (change from baseline: -14.33 [95% CI: -19.79, -8.86], p < 0.0001, d = 1.06). Conclusion: The study suggests that EFT is a feasible treatment for PTSD, with high session compliance and low dropout rates. The effect size observed in this study supports the need for a larger trial in the future to further investigate EFT as a treatment for PTSD. However, the lack of a control group and the use of a self-rated questionnaire for PTSD symptoms are limitations of this study. The findings of this pilot study can be used to plan a future trial.

• The Journal of the Korea Contents Association
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• v.11 no.12
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• pp.266-272
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• 2011

According to many studies, a large number of police officers who had recently been exposed to an emergency situation has serious psychological stress and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder(PTSD) symptoms impact on morale, absenteeism, occupational health, early retirement, family relationships. However, in Korea as it looked during the empirical study of police officers with PTSD had a few. In this study, levels of PTSD among police officers to identify and respond accordingly was to seek ways. The officer's PTSD levels vary according to the study is the relatively high level, when compared to firefighters is a relatively high level. So, I suggested some countermeasures. I presented discovery and management of high risk police officers, distribution of critical incident stress management, introduction of employee assistance programs, active intervention of colleagues and family members, training of stress management techniques.

• Anxiety and mood
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• v.8 no.2
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• pp.133-140
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• 2012

Objective : The aim of this study was to investigate how trauma and personality system was related by comparing TCI profiles of the trauma versus non-trauma groups and PTSD symptom positive (PTSD symptom [+] group) and PTSD symptom negative groups (PTSD symptom [-] group). Methods : We compared the difference of Temperament and Character Inventory (TCI) profiles between the trauma (n=61) and the non-trauma (n=61) groups, and between the PTSD symptom [+] group (n=40) and PTSD symptom [-] group (n=21). Results : Comparison of the TCI's seven higher dimensions between the PTSD symptom [+] and [-] groups showed significant differences only in C (Cooperativeness). And in the analysis of TCI's lower dimensions the significant differences were observed in the HA1 (Worry and pessimism), HA2 (Tension regarding uncertainty), and C4 (Compassion) subscales. However, significant differences in the higher dimensions appeared more clearly between the non-traumatized group and the traumatized group. Compared to the non-traumatized group, the traumatized group scored significantly higher in HA (Harm avoidance) and RD (Reward dependence), while lower in SD (Self-directedness). Conclusion : Overall, present results suggest that traumatic experiences may affect personality systems regardless of the development and of PTSD symptoms.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.55 no.4
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• pp.190-194
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• 2014

Objective : Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a group of diseases that are observed in patients who had experienced a serious trauma or accident. However, some experienced it even after only a mild traumatic brain injury (TBI), and they are easily ignored due to the relatively favorable course of mild TBI. Herein, the authors investigated the incidence of PTSD in mild TBI using brief neuropsychological screening test (PTSD checklist, PCL). Methods : This study was conducted on patients with mild TBI (Glasgow coma scale ${\geq}13$) who were admitted from January 2012 to December 2012. As for PCL, it was done on patients who showed no difficulties in communication upon admission and agreed to participate in this study. By using sum of PCL, the patients were divided into high-risk group and low-risk group. PTSD was diagnosed as the three major symptoms of PTSD according to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, fourth-edifion. Results : A total of 314 TBI patients were admitted and 71 of them met the criteria and were included in this study. The mean age was 52.9 years-old (range : 15--94). The mean PCL score was 28.8 (range : 17--68), and 10 patients were classified as high-risk group. During follow-up, 2 patients (2.7%) of high risk group, were confirmed as PTSD and there was no patient who was suspected of PTSD in the low-risk group (p=0.017). Conclusion : PTSD is observed 2.8% in mild TBI. Although PTSD after mild TBI is rare, PCL could be considered as a useful tool for screening of PTSD after mild TBI.

• Anxiety and mood
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• v.7 no.2
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• pp.92-100
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• 2011

Objectives : The aim of this study was to investigate Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)-related symptom severity, level of functional impairment and personality profiles between full-blown PTSD, partial PTSD and non-PTSD groups among 59 adolescent survivals from the Incheon fire disaster. Method : Using Short Screening Scale for DSM-IV PTSD, victims of the disaster were assigned to a full-blown PTSD group (n=18), a partial PTSD (n=22), or a non-PTSD group (n=19). Assessments included the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI), the Impact of Event Scales (IES), the McBride's Degree of General Labor Loss, and the Korean Version of Temperament and Character Inventory (K-TCI). Results : Significantly severe PTSD symptoms (F=4.832, df=2, p<.05) and functional impairment (F=12.144, df=2, p<.01) were demonstrated by PTSD groups as compared to the non-PTSD group. Interestingly, full and partial PTSD did not differ in these comparisons. Similarly, the subtypes of PTSD did not differ with respect to personality profiles using the K-TCI ; however, personality profiles were sharply differentiated between the PTSD and non-PTSD group. Conclusion : Although high subject homogeneity and small sample size may limit the results of this study, the present results highlight the possibility of the underestimation as well as the insufficient, treatment and compensation of partial vs full PTSD.

• Korean Journal of Psychosomatic Medicine
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• v.31 no.2
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• pp.155-164
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• 2023

Objectives : The aim of this study was to identify the factors affecting ideas of persecution in post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) patients who underwent Clinician-Administered PTSD Scale (CAPS) and Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory-2 (MMPI-2). Methods : We retrospectively reviewed 116 patients who underwent CAPS and MMPI 2 between May 2013 and April 2020 at Veteran Health Service Medical Center. Based on the CAPS score, the patients were divided into the PTSD group (n=63, age: 58.16±17.84) and the trauma exposed without PTSD group (n=53, age: 67.34±12.05). After checking the correlation between Ideas of persecution, CAPS, and MMPI-2 scales, linear regression analysis was performed to identify the risk factors for clinically relevant symptoms. Results : The PTSD group showed significant differences in Schizophrenia, Ideas of persecution, Dysfunctional negative emotions, Aberrant Experiences, Psychoticism, Negative Emotionality/Neuroticism, Anxiety, Depression, and Anger scales compared to the trauma-exposed without PTSD group. When analyzing the correlation between Idea of persecution, CAPS and MMPI-2 scales, there was a strong association with most of the scales in MMPI-2 and Idea of persecution except Disconstraint. Multiple linear regression analysis performed in PTSD group identified that risk factors for Idea of persecution were Dysfunctional negative emotions and Anger scale. Conclusions : The PTSD group had increased idea of persecution compared to the trauma exposed without PTSD group. Dysfunctional negative emotions and anger may be risk factors for idea of persecution in trauma exposed population.

• Journal of the Korean Society for Library and Information Science
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• v.50 no.1
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• pp.285-312
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• 2016

The study examines how stressful life experiences and negative affective conditions influence refugees' information seeking and uses. Fifty-five North Korean refugees living in South Korea were invited to participate in a survey to determine their level of PTSD and to investigate the relationship between activeness in information-seeking and their negative affect. Seven subjects with severe PTSD symptoms participated in an in-depth interview to describe their information practices in daily life contexts. The study found that participants with higher levels of PTSD tended to seek information more passively than those with lower levels of PTSD. Almost all refugees were unable to recognize their information needs clearly but some subjects stated latent socio-affective needs and financial needs. Most refugees avoided seeking information and learned information through interpersonal sources-staffs in the Hana Refugee Center and volunteers in local community churches-and mass media. Some unique social phenomena were discovered in North Korean refugees' information world and the emergent features were discussed. On the basis of the findings, some practical approaches for improving refugees' information world were also suggested.