• Korean Journal of Biological Psychiatry
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• v.22 no.2
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• pp.55-62
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• 2015

Objectives Social workers can suffer from occupational stress resulting from dealing with clients, which might lead to metal health problems. We aimed to investigate the association of duty-related traumatic experiences and stress coping strategies with post-traumatic stress symptoms among social workers in public sector. Methods A total of 110 social workers in public sector (men 30.9%, $36.5{\pm}7.6$ yrs) participated in this study. All subjects were evaluated the frequency and the impact of duty-related traumatic events. Additionally, they completed questionnaires including the Impact of Event Scale-Revised for post-traumatic stress symptoms, the Beck Depression Inventory-II for depressive symptoms, the Scale for Suicidal Ideation for suicide symptoms and the Ways of Coping Checklist for stress coping strategies. Results The most frequent traumatic events were "Violent or abusive language from a client" (95.0%) and "Client made a fuss" (94.5%). The most distressing traumatic event was "Seeing a dead body on duty" (7.6 out of 10), which predicted post-traumatic stress symptoms (odds ratio 4.04 ; 95% confidence interval, 1.79-9.11). Among 4 types of stress coping strategies, the emotion-focused coping was positively correlated with post-traumatic stress symptoms after controlling age and sex (${\beta}$ = 0.50, p < 0.001). Conclusions Social workers in public sector showed high level of post-traumatic stress symptoms. Duty-related traumatic events and the emotional-focused coping strategies were associated with the severity of post-traumatic stress symptoms. The modification of stress coping strategies would alleviate post-traumatic stress symptoms in social workers in public sector.

• Journal of the Korean Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry
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• v.30 no.1
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• pp.26-33
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• 2019

Objectives: Suicide is the most frequent cause of death among Korean adolescents, and adolescents who have experienced trauma have an increased risk of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms, depression, and suicide attempts. However, resilience and self-esteem are protective factors. We examined the effects of resilience and self-esteem on the relationship among traumatic experiences, PTSD symptoms, depression, and suicidal ideation. Methods: Middle-school students (n=403) completed questionnaires assessing traumatic experiences, PTSD symptoms, depression, suicidal ideation, resilience, and self-esteem. Path analysis was performed to investigate the mediating effects of PTSD symptoms, resilience, self-esteem, and depression on the relationship between trauma exposure and suicidal ideation. Results: Traumatic experience was positively correlated with PTSD symptoms, depression, and suicidal ideation. PTSD symptoms and depression were positively correlated with suicidal ideation. The relationship between traumatic experiences and suicidal ideation was mediated by PTSD symptoms, which had both direct and indirect effects on suicidal ideation; the indirect effect was mediated by resilience, self-esteem, and depression. Conclusion: Korean adolescents who had experienced trauma were more likely to develop PTSD symptoms, increasing their risk of depression and suicidal ideation. However, self-esteem and resilience may help protect against depression and suicidal ideation. Our findings could inform suicide prevention initiatives.

• Journal of Oriental Neuropsychiatry
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• v.22 no.3
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• pp.75-85
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• 2011

Objectives : In this case report, we will present three patients diagnosed with acute stress disorder or post-traumatic stress disorder improved by application of oriental medical treatments. Methods : We treated three patients with acute stress disorder or post-traumatic stress disorder by oriental medical treatments. The effect of oriental medical treatments were evaluated by STAI and clinical symptoms such as anxiety, insomnia, palpitation, startle response. Results : As a result of oriental treatments, clinical symptoms such as anxiety, insomnia, palpitation, startle response were improved, and STAI scores also decreased. Conclusions : These results suggest that oriental treatments may have an effect on acute stress disorder and post-traumatic stress disorder.

• Korean Journal of Psychosomatic Medicine
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• v.4 no.1
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• pp.124-137
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• 1996

As the society becomes more industrialized and modernized, we have more chances to experience a serious traumatic event. Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) has 3 major categories of symptoms such as memory disturbance, hyperarousal and avoidance or numbness. I reviewed the psychobiological evidences in 3 main categories of symptoms and the biological treatment after a brief review of the epidemiology, psychosocial etiology and diagnosis of PTSD. The memory disturbance of PTSD might be developed by the potentiation of the memory pathway mediated by norepinephrine. PTSD induces HPA axis abnormality, it might also develop hippocampal dysfunction, which might contribute to the memory disturbance. The kindling effect develops desensitization, which might develop reexperiencing of the traumatic events and hyperarousal state. Chronic aroused state of locus ceruleus with resultant chronic maladaptive state of norepinephrine system, might develop hyperarousal state. Social avoidance and physical numbing state in PTSD might be caused by serotnin or opiate system. Stress induced analgesia might be developed by opiate reliesed against the acute stress. The biologic research results would help the selective treatment of PTSD.

• Anxiety and mood
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• v.11 no.1
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• pp.61-68
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• 2015

Objective : Police officers are exposed to job-related traumatic events and have a high prevalence of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). This study examined the relationship between PTSD symptoms and dimensions of temperament and character in police officers. Method : Thirty-six police officers participating in a psychological support program were enrolled. All subjects were asked to complete a demographic questionnaire, the Impact of Event Scale-Revised (IES-R), the Temperament and Character Inventory (TCI) and other self-reported symptoms scales. Results : Among all participants (age $40.8{\pm}10.2$, men 94.4%), the rate of 'post-traumatic stress symptoms group' was 47.2%. After controlling for confounding factors, lower self-directedness scores were significantly associated with higher PTSD symptoms (${\beta}=0.6$, p=0.03) in multiple regression analysis. Conclusion : Character traits, especially self-directedness, were associated with the severity of PTSD symptoms severity. These findings may provide useful information regarding personality factors related to PTSD in police officers.

• Journal of People, Plants, and Environment
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• v.24 no.2
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• pp.137-152
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• 2021

Background and objective: This study was carried out to investigate and analyze the preference for plant fragrance and the psychological effects of a agro-healing activity in 101 firefighters aged 39.71 ± 10.94. Methods: For the psychological evaluation, post-traumatic stress symptoms, Korean occupational stress scale short form (KOSS-SF), emotional intelligence, and job satisfaction were surveyed on the Likert scale. For the preference for plant fragrances, 20 ㎕ of commercially available essential oils from four plant species (Mentha spp., Lavandula spp., Citrus limon, C. sinensis) were absorbed into each test paper and provided to the participants. Results: The rate of post-traumatic stress symptoms was high at 37.6% of the firefighters surveyed.. C. limon fragrance had the highest preference among the four plant fragrances, followed by C. sinensis > Mentha spp. > Lavandula spp. with statistically significant difference (F = 14.256, p < .001). The lower their age, income, and position, and higher the education level, the higher the preference for plant fragrances. And the administrative group had higher preference for plant fragrances than field group. In addition, as a result of examining the correlation between job satisfaction, preference for plant fragrance, post-traumatic stress, emotional intelligence, and job stress for fire-fighters, the higher the job satisfaction, the higher the fragrance preference and emotional intelligence, and the lower the post-traumatic stress and job stress. Conclusion: Therefore, installing a garden using botanical fragrances at workplaces that firefighters can easily access will improve job satisfaction and relieve stress. It can be concluded that applying the fragrance of plants to the healing farming activities at the fire-fighter's workplace can increase the usefulness of the healing activities.

• Korean Journal of Occupational Health Nursing
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• v.26 no.4
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• pp.218-226
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• 2017

Purpose: The study aimed to determine the impact of post-traumatic stress and ways of stress coping on problem drinking in firefighters. Methods: Data were collected from May 11 to June 11, 2015, in fire brigades across South Korea. Participants were 183 male firefighters who used self-report questionnaires containing questions from the Impact of Event Scale-Revised (IES-R), Ways of Coping Checklist (WCC), and Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT). Data were analyzed using $x^2$ test, t-test, and logistic regression with the SPSS/WIN 21.0 program. Results: The prevalence of PTSD among firefighters was 36.7% and that of problem drinking was 39.3%. Firefighters with single (OR=0.23, 95% CI=0.038~1.321) and married status (OR=0.46, 95% CI=0.069~3.040) were less likely to have problem drinking than those who were divorced or bereavement. Those with invasion symptoms (OR=1.17, 95% CI=1.031~1.327) and hyperarousal symptoms (OR=0.85, 95% CI=0.722~0.989) were more likely to have problem drinking than those with avoidance symptoms. Conclusion: Post-traumatic stress symptom was a major risk factor that increased problem drinking, and married status reduced problem drinking. There is a need to develop post-traumatic stress symptom management program and early education content for symptom management.

• Journal of the Korean Home Economics Association
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• v.48 no.3
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• pp.55-69
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• 2010

A college student who exhibited several post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms was used as a case study in order to investigate the therapeutic effects of sandplay therapy for PTSD sufferers. In total, 27 sessions of the sandplay treatment program were used to conduct psychological tests before and after the sessions. Any changes in the manner of expressions on the sand box during the treatment, and the results of pre and post psychological tests on aspects of depression, anxiety and interrelationships were analyzed. Overall results showed that the subject exhibited progressive behavioral improvement and signs of recovery. Psychological tests revealed reduced levels of depression and anxiety, and improved interrelationship scores. In conclusion, sandplay therapy does exhibit positive benefits as an effective treatment modality for PTSD in adolescents and young adults.

• Journal of Korean Academy of Fundamentals of Nursing
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• v.13 no.1
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• pp.96-106
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• 2006

Purpose: This study was dont: to evaluate the factors that influence secondary traumatic stress, burnout, and physical symptoms experienced by firefighters. In addition, a hypothetical model was developed. Method: The data were collected using self-reported questionnaires from 410 field service firefighters. Data analysis was done with the SPSSWIN 10.0 program for descriptive statistics and Windows LISREL program to determine the causal relationship between the measurement variables. Results: The hypothetical model which was developed fits well with actual data(${\chi}^2$=3.16, p=0.99, GFI=1.00, AGFI=0.99, NFI=0.99, and NNFI=1.06). The variable, personality type, social support, and impact mobilization frequency had a significant effect and accounted for 7% of the secondary traumatic stress in firefighters. The variables, career, social support, and secondary traumatic stress had a significant effect and accounted for 24% of the burnout in firefighters. Social support, impact mobilization frequency, and secondary traumatic stress were important variables and accounted for 31% of the physical symptoms in firefighters. Conclusion: It is necessary for firefighters to manage themselves according to their personality types. Strategies that can increase the firefighters' social support and decrease their perceived secondary traumatic stress also need to be developed to minimize or prevent a negative effect on their health.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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• v.14 no.8
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• pp.3815-3823
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• 2013

The purpose of this study was to closely examine the influence of field-shock experience and post traumatic stress perceived by fire officials upon somatic symptoms and coping methods. A survey was carried out targeting 362 male and female fire officials who are working at fire safety centers where are located in Gangwon-do Province. The collected data were used SPSS 19.0 and AMOS 19.0 for Windows. It carried out frequency analysis, factor analysis for validity and reliability, Cronbach's ${\alpha}$ analysis, descriptive statistics and correlation. For hypothesis verification, an analysis was carried out by using structural equation modeling. All the statistical analyses were set for the significant level in p<.05. The results are as follows. First, the perceived field-shock stress was indicated to have influence upon post traumatic stress. Second, the perceived field-shock stress was indicated to have influence upon somatic symptom. Third, the perceived field-shock stress was indicated to have influence upon a coping method. Fourth, the post traumatic stress was indicated to have influence upon somatic symptom. Fifth, the post traumatic stress was indicated to have influence upon a coping method. Sixthly, the somatic symptom was indicated to have influence upon a method of coping with stress.