• Journal of Digital Convergence
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• v.17 no.2
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• pp.303-312
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• 2019

The purpose of this study was to describe the semantic system and process of posttraumatic growth experience of firefighters after colleague's suicide. Grounded theory methodology based on symbolic interactionism was utilized. The subjects of this study were 7 firefighters who experienced the colleague's suicide. Data were collected by using in-depth interviews from October 1 to November 30, 2015. The results showed that "Gradually becoming more resilient" was analyzed to be the core category of firefighters' posttraumatic growth. We derived four categories and nine subcategories. Based on the results, it is necessary to develop a convergence intervention program to promote posttraumatic growth of firefighters exposed to various traumatic events.

• Korean Journal of Social Welfare Studies
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• v.40 no.2
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• pp.123-143
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• 2009

To investigate the reliability, validity of posttraumatic growth among Korean cancer caregiver, 295 participants were asked to complete a Korean posttraumatic growth inventory, translated from the Posttraumatic Growth Inventory (PTGI; J Trauma Stress 1996; 9: 455.471), together with the Caregiver burden scale, life style interruption scale, economic burden scale and positive adaptation scale, social support scale and questions about religious and demographic factors. Cronbach's alpha was 0.95 for the K-PTGI, indicating sufficient internal consistencies. Construct and Criterion validity were also supported. K-PTGI appeared to be a sound measure for the experience of posttraumatic growth in cancer caregivers and this study result will be able to contribute to facilitate future research.

• 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.7 no.2
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• pp.174-183
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• 1999

Objective : This study was designed to evaluate the incidence and characteristics of posttraumatic stress disorder(PTSD) after motor vehicle accidents(MVA) in 44 consecutive MVA victims referred to psychiatry for the diagnosis, treatment and psychiatric assessment. Method : The diagnosis of posttraumatic stress disorder was made on the basis of DSM-IV criteria, and posttraumatic stress symptoms were assessed by the Clinician-Administered PTSD Scale(CAPS). Correlation between the extent of physical injury and the severity of PTSD symptoms using the Abbreviated Injury Scale(AIS) was analyzed and the frequency of psychiatric comorbidity of PTSD was invested. Result : Twenty-two(45.5%) MVA victims met DSM-IV criteria for PTSD, while thirteen(29.5%) showed a subsyndromal form of it. AIS scores significantly related with the development of posttraumatic stress symptoms(r=0.565, p=0.0001). PTSD group showed high percentages of each of the 17 symptoms(criterion B, C, D), while subsyndromal PTSD group showed relatively high percentages of criterion Band D. The most frequent symptom was 'distressing dreams' of criterion B in both group. A high percentages(56%) of the MVA-PTSD group also met the criteria for current major depression. Conclusions : These findings suggest that there is apparently a high likelihood of developing all or part of the PTSD syndrome after motor vehicle accidents. So it does appear that for those MVA victims who seek medical attention and eventually need psychiatric referral, diagnostic possibility of PTSD should be taken into account in treatment planning and early intervention.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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• v.18 no.7
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• pp.257-268
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• 2017

The purpose of this study was to examine the anxiety, levels of diabetes-related distress, and post-traumatic growth of parents who have children with type 1 diabetes and determine the correlation between the differences and variables based on the general characteristics and disease-related characteristics. This is a descriptive survey research and data collection was conducted from January 4th-29th of 2016 with an online survey in an internet community for type 1 diabetes. Seventy seven individuals were included in the final analysis. Statistical analysis was carried out with a t-test, Mann-Whitney U test, Kruskal-Wallis test, and Pearson correlation coefficient. The study results showed that posttraumatic growth was significantly high (p<.05) under parents with a religion, and that parental anxiety and stress were high with children under 6 years of age (p<.05), with cases of hypoglycemia (p<.05), and with high levels of glycated hemoglobin (p<.05). Anxiety and stress had a positive correlation (r=.684, p<.001), and anxiety and stress exhibited a negative correlation with posttraumatic growth (r=-.401, p<.001; r=-.327, p<.05). This suggests that posttraumatic growth can reduce the negative emotions sufficiently, and that a mediating mechanism is needed that promotes posttraumatic growth while decreasing the level of anxiety and stress.

• Anxiety and mood
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• v.6 no.1
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• pp.3-9
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• 2010

Even experienced clinicians have difficulties in diagnosing posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) exactly, due to its diverse clinical features, which vary according to individuals, traumas, and various comorbid psychopathologies, and its related compensation issues. It is usually mandatory for clinicians and researchers to use screening and assessment tools when diagnosing and evaluating PTSD. To date, research has developed numerous PTSD screening and assessment tools ; therefore one of the cardinal issues is to select the best of the various tools, the one most suitable for the clinician's or researcher's purposes. This article reviews several currently-available subjective and objective instruments for the diagnosis and evaluation of PTSD and groups them according to whether they are Diagnostic and Statistical Manual for Mental Disorders-Correspondent Measures ; PTSD-Focused, Non-DSM-Correspondent Measures ; or Empirically Derived Measures. We present the instruments' psychometric properties and scoring methods and describe their merits and weak points, focusing on their practical usage.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.44 no.4
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• pp.644-654
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• 2020

Background: Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), a mental disorder induced by traumatic stress and often accompanied by depression and/or anxiety, may involve an imbalance in the neurotransmitters associated with the fear response. Korean Red Ginseng (KRG) has long been used as a traditional medicine and is known to be involved in a variety of pharmacological activities. We used the open field test and forced swimming test to examine the effects of KRG on the depression-like response of rats after exposure to single prolonged stress (SPS), leading to activation of the serotonergic system. Methods: Male rats received KRG (30, 50, and 100 mg/kg, intraperitoneal injection) once daily for 14 days after exposure to SPS. Results: Daily KRG administration significantly improved depression-like behaviors in the forced swimming test, increased the number of lines crossed and time spent in the central zone in the open field test, and decreased freezing behavior in contextual and cued fear conditioning. KRG treatment attenuated SPS-induced decreases in serotonin (5-HT) tissue concentrations in the hippocampus and medial prefrontal cortex. The increased 5-HT concentration during KRG treatment may be partially attributable to the 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid/5-HT ratio in the hippocampus of rats with PTSD. These effects may be caused by the activation of hippocampal genes encoding tryptophan hydroxylase-1 and 2 mRNA levels. Conclusion: Our findings suggest that KRG has an antidepressant effect in rats subjected to SPS and may represent an effective use of traditional medicine for the treatment of PTSD.

• Anxiety and mood
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• v.14 no.2
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• pp.71-79
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• 2018

Objective : Several earlier studies have reported similar symptoms in patients with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) who have been repeatedly exposed to relevant media after disasters and trauma. This study aimed to examine the effects of indirect trauma experience through media rather than direct traumatic events on an individual's social life. Methods : Five hundred and fifty-four individuals participated in our online, self-reported questionnaire survey. All subjects were asked to complete a demographic questionnaire, Posttraumatic Diagnostic Scale, Beck Depression Inventory, the Impact of Event Scale-Revised, State-Trait Anxiety Inventory, Korean version of Alcohol Use Disorder Identification Test, Patient Health Questionnaire-15, Suicidal Behaviors Questionnaire-Revised. Participants were assessed in regards to their experience of violent media exposure within the past three months. Results : Data from our study indicates that the group exposed to violent media had significantly higher perceived stress, physical symptoms, insomnia, and suicide ideation in comparison to the control group. Among the major symptoms of PTSD, the proportion of intrusion symptoms was relatively high in the media exposed group. Conclusion : This suggests that indirect trauma caused by media exposure could cause post-traumatic stress symptoms. The PTSD caused by indirect trauma may have slight differences from the PTSD caused by direct trauma. Therefore, it is necessary to understand, prevent, and control the adverse effects of media.

• Korean journal of psychology:General
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• v.36 no.2
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• pp.241-270
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• 2017

In this study we investigated the structural relationship between the Big Five personality traits which is a pretrauma characteristic, posttraumatic cognition, rumination, posttraumatic growth(PTG), and posttraumatic stress disorder(PTSD) symptoms. The participants were 1,000 adults who experienced traumatic event. For statistical analysis we set the research model with the Big Five personality traits affecting deliberate rumination through posttraumatic cognition and intrusive rumination. Competing model was set without the path from intrusive rumination to deliberate rumination. The results indicated that rumination and posttraumatic cognition did not mediate the relationship between extraversion, agreeableness, conscientiousness and PTG, PTSD symptoms. Second, there was a mediating effect of intrusive rumination between openness to experience and PTSD symptoms. Moreover, the pathway to intrusive rumination, deliberate rumination, and PTG from openness to experience was also significant. Third, the pathway to posttraumatic cognition, event-related rumination, and both PTSD symptoms and PTG from neuroticism was significant. These results support the cognitive process of PTG model In the end we discussed the implication and limitations of the study.

• Journal of the Korean Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry
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• v.26 no.1
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• pp.38-44
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• 2015

Objectives : The purpose of this study is to examine the effects of the characteristics of victim and sexual abuse on posttraumatic psychiatric symptoms in children and adolescents with a history of sexual abuse. Methods : A total of 137 children and adolescents were recruited from the Seoul Sunflower Children Center, a nation-funded sexual violence victim protection center, from January 2009 to December 2013. We collected the demographic data of the victims and the Trauma Symptom Checklist for Children (TSCC) from victims. We hypothesized victims' age, sex, and intelligence quotient, and the characteristics of sexual abuse as the affecting factors of posttraumatic psychiatric symptoms. Descriptive analysis and hierarchical regression analysis were performed for analysis of demographic data, TSCC scores, and psychiatric symptoms. Results : The victims' age and the characteristics of sexual abuse were significantly related to the traumatic distress of sexual abuse. R-square was 23% for anxiety, 39% for depression, 21% for posttraumatic stress, and 37% for dissociation on TSCC. Conclusion : This study suggests that victims' age, type, frequency and duration of exposure, and disclosure of sexual abuse are significant affecting factors on posttraumatic psychiatric symptoms in children and adolescents. Exploration of psychiatric symptoms other than posttraumatic symptoms, and relations between pretraumatic and posttraumatic psychiatric symptoms is needed through collection of larger samples.