• Anxiety and mood
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• v.10 no.2
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• pp.128-136
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• 2014

Objective : This study aimed to examine impact of anxiety and demographic factors on relationship between severity of depressive symptom and quality of life and disability. Methods : One hundred ninety five patients who met DSM-IV-TR criteria for depressive disorder were enrolled. It includes "Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression (HRSD)", "State-Trait Anxiety Inventory-State (STAI-S)", "General Health Questionnaire/Quality of Life-12 (GHQ/QL-12)", and "Sheehan Disability Scale (SDS)". Correlation analysis was used to see the correlations of each variable. Hierarchical regression analysis was used to see mediating effect of anxiety in the relationship. Sobel test was used to verify mediating effect. Multiple regression analysis was used to see moderating effect of demographic factors in the relationship. Results : There was partial mediating effect of anxiety on the relationship between severity of depressive symptoms and decreased quality of life (z=-11.68, p<.001)/increased disability (z=10.42, p<.001). Only religion was found to be moderating effect on the relationship between depressive symptoms and decreased quality of life. Conclusion : Rapid relief of anxiety along with depressive symptom had important implications for the treatment of patients with depression.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• v.28 no.2
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• pp.129-136
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• 2015

Background: Pain is one of the most important consequences of spinal cord injury (SCI). It may affect several aspects of life, especially the quality of life (QoL). Hence, this study was conducted to establish an understanding of pain and its correlates and effects on patients with SCI in our community. Methods: In a cross-sectional study, 58 male veterans suffering from SCI were admitted to our center for a regular follow-up. Demographic and SCI-related descriptive information were gathered using a self-reported questionnaire. To evaluate the patients' pain quality and the effect of pain on daily life, a questionnaire in 3 parts of lumbar, cervical and shoulder pain was administered. EuroQoL questionnaire and General Health Questionnaire (GHQ) 12 were also used to assess the patients' QoL. Results: The mean age of the participants was $45.91{\pm}6.69$ with mean injury time of $25.54{\pm}5.91$. forty-four patients (75.9%) reported pain, including lumbar pain (63%), cervical pain (39%) and shoulder pain (51%). The presence of pain was associated with lower QoL. Patients with lumbar pain reported a significant amount of pain affecting their daily life and this effect was higher in patients with lower GHQ score or anxiety/depressive disorder. Conclusions: Musculoskeletal pain, is a common complaint in veterans with SCI and is inversely associated with functioning and general health status. Lumbar and shoulder pain affects patient's daily living more than cervical pain.

• Anxiety and mood
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• v.14 no.1
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• pp.28-35
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• 2018

Objective : The purpose of this study was to assess the use of mental health services by North Korean defectors. The study sought to understand the determinants of use with socio-demographical characteristics and the barriers of using mental health service. Methods : Data were collected from a sample of the 300 North Korean defectors who have settled in South Korea within the last three years, aged 18 years and older. Face-to-face interviews and a survey using the North Korean version of the Composite International Diagnostic Interview were conducted. Results : 21.0% of respondents reported the use of mental health services. Among them, 16.0% reported the use of mental health specialty, 2.0% reported the use of general medical services, and 3.0% reported the use of others. Of the respondents who had one or more psychiatric disorders, 28.8% used mental health services. The highest rate of use of mental health services was by respondents who are aged over 50 years old, had less than 10 years of education, and were unemployed. Of those who suffered from a psychiatric disorder but did not seek for consultation, 74.4% said that they could handle the problem by themselves, and 74.6% asserted that they had no psychiatric disorder. Conclusion : North Korean defectors in South Korea used mental health services more than the general South Korean population. It would be crucial to provide appropriate mental health services based on the needs of North Korean.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.35 no.2
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• pp.226-234
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• 2011

We investigated the clinical effects of Korean red ginseng on attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in children. Eighteen subjects aged between 6 and 14 diagnosed with ADHD based on the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, fourth edition diagnosis criteria were enrolled. Korean red ginseng (Panax ginseng) at 1,000 mg b.i.d. was administered to the subjects for 8 weeks. Eighteen children completed the questionnaire and clinical assessment by visiting the hospital at baseline, then in the first, fourth and eighth weeks. Clinical assessments were performed by using the ADHD Diagnostic System (ADS, a computerized attention assessment program), the abbreviated Conners' rating scale in addition to psychiatric interviews. After 8 weeks, significant differences were found in the omisssion errors of ADS ($78.56{\pm}43.33$ at baseline, $55.17{\pm}21.44$ at 8 weeks, p<0.023), Conners ADHD Rating Scale ($13.78{\pm}6.32$ at baseline, $9.50{\pm}4.80$ at 8 weeks, p<0.042) and Spielberger State Anxiety Scale ($30.94{\pm}6.25$ at baseline, $28.83{\pm}6.23$ at 8 weeks, p<0.024). In the Korean Personality Inventory for Children, a significant reduction of score was found in the physical development scale ($56.44{\pm}9.63$ at baseline, $50.94{\pm}8.91$ at 8 weeks, p<0.017) and social dysfunction scale ($56.33{\pm}6.82$ at baseline, $51.94{\pm}7.13$ at 8 weeks, p<0.025). These results suggest that Korean red ginseng may be effective in improving inattentiveness in ADHD children, but it remains uncertain if it improves the general severity of ADHD, depression, anxiety personality and behavioral changes.

• Anxiety and mood
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• v.14 no.2
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• pp.80-87
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• 2018

Objective : The purpose of this study was to investigate prevalence and clinical characteristics of Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) in North Korean defectors (NKD). Methods : The study population consisted of 300 NKDs registered in the multi-regional adaptation center (Hana Center), within three years of settling in South Korea. We conducted in-person interviews and a survey with each subject, based on the North Korean version of the WHO-Composite International Diagnostic Interview (NK-CIDI) and various clinical scales. Results : Lifetime prevalence of PTSD in NKDs was 15.3%, approximately nine times higher than South Koreans (1.7%). Although experiencing broader type of traumas with higher rate than South Koreans, NKDs revealed lower odds of PTSD in most type of trauma (p<0.05). Conclusion : NKDs are at higher risk of experiencing different types of trauma than the general population in South Korea, and it is further validated that prevalence of PTSD is also higher. Careful evaluation for comorbid psychiatric symptoms and type of traumas prior to PTSD treatment for NKDs is necessary to facilitate more appropriate intervention for each subject, according to personal experience.

• Korean Journal of Psychosomatic Medicine
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• v.10 no.2
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• pp.78-91
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• 2002

Objective : The purpose of this study was to develop the somatization rating scale (SRS), and then to use the scale in clinical pracitice. Methods: First, a preliminary survey was conducted for 109 healthy adults to obtain 40 response items. Second, a preliminary questionnaire was completed by 215 healthy subjects. Third, a comparison was made regarding somatization responses among 242 patients (71 with anxiety disorder. 73 with depressive disorder, 47 with somatoform disorder, and 51 with psychosomatic disorder) and 215 healthy subjects. Results : Factor analysis yielded 5 subscales : cardiorespiratory and nervous responses, somatic sensitivity, gastrointestinal responses, general somatic responses, genitourinary, eye and muscular responses. Reliability was computed by administering the SRS to 62 healthy subjects during a 2-week interval. Test-retest reliability for 5 subscales and the total score was significantly high, ranging between .86-.94. Internal consistency was computed, and Cronbach's ${\alpha}$ for 5 subscales ranged between .72-.92, and .95 for the total score. Convergent validity was computed by correlating the 5 subscales and the total score with the total score of the global assessment of recent stress (GARS) scale, the perceived stress questionnaire (PSQ), and the symptom checklist-90-revised (SCL-90-R). The correlations were all at significant levels. Discriminant validity was computed by comparing the total score and the 5 subscale scores of the patient and control groups. Significant differences were found for 5 subscales and the total score. Only the depressive disorder group was siginificantly higher than control group in all the subscale scores and total scores of SRS among 4 patient groups. In somatic sensitivity, only depressive disorder patients were significantly higher than the normal controls, whereas in general somatic subscale, depressive disorder and somatoform disorder groups were significantly higher than the normal controls. In total scores of the SRS, female subjects were significantly higher than males. Conclusion : These results indicate that the SRS is highly reliable and valid, and that it can be utilized as an effective measure for research in stress- and somatization-related fields. The depressive disorder and somatoform disorder groups showed more widespread somatization than the anxiety and psychosomatic disorder groups.

• Journal of the Korean Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry
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• v.25 no.4
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• pp.209-216
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• 2014

Objectives : Alcohol use disorder (AUD) is often comorbid with adult attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and other psychiatric illnesses. When associated with other mental problems, the prognosis of the AUD can be more serious. This study shows research on the clinical and neuropsychological characteristics according to whether or not ADHD symptoms and AUD were comorbid. Methods : A total of 64 adult inpatients who completed AUD scales about adult ADHD, alcohol dependence, depression, anxiety, and impulsiveness. They also completed neuropsychological tests about attention and executive function. According to the Adult ADHD Self-Report Scale score, patients were categorized into two groups (ADHD symptom positive/negative group). Results : Fourteen among the 64 subjects were part of the ADHD symptom positive group (21.9%). They had statistically significant shorter abstinence periods and a higher rate of history of 'rule violation during school' and 'physical damage in childhood' compared to the ADHD symptom negative group. Conclusion : The comorbidity rate with ADHD symptom in adult AUD is higher than the general population. The ADHD symptom positive group suffered from more severe and refractory AUD. Considering the more frequent history of rule violation during school in the ADHD symptom positive group, the association between ADHD and AUD may be mediated by conduct disorder. Therefore we suggest the necessity of careful evaluation and intervention in children and adolescents with ADHD and conduct disorder.

• Korean Journal of Clinical Pharmacy
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• v.27 no.4
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• pp.267-275
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• 2017

Background and Objective: Whabyung is a Korean cultural disorder characterized by a combination of emotional stress and physical symptoms. Acupuncture, herbal medicines and other complementary medicinal treatments are used to treat the symptoms of whabyung. The purpose of this study is to investigate the effects of acupuncture treatment and herbal medicine treatments on anger, anxiety and depression of whabyung. Methods: Using PubMed, CENTRAL, AMED, MEDLINE, EMBASE, MEDLINE, CINAHL, Cnii, CNKI, J-SATGE, PsycArticles, KISS, KoreaMed, kmbase, NDSL, RISS, OASIS and Korean Traditional Knowledge Portal, articles published by March 2017 for whabyung or whabyung-related syndrome were searched. The quality of selected articles was evaluated using RoB and RoBANS. The effects of acupuncture and herbal medicines on anger, anxiety, and depression levels of whabyung patients were considered for meta-analyses. Results: Of the total 2408 articles retrieved from the database, 11 were finally selected and 4 articles were used for meta-analyses. Acupuncture reduced whabyung patients' anger and anxiety. Especially, the state anxiety was significantly reduced (effect size= -0.676, p= .026). Herbal medicine had effects on reducing anxiety and state anger while trait anger was increased without statistical significance. Conclusion: The present study showed the effectiveness of acupuncture and herbal medicines for whabyung patients in general. However, considering the limited availability of articles and the heterogeneity between them included for the meta-analysis, the results should be generalized with caution. In the future, more studies within the structure of evidence-based medicine need to be conducted to generate objective and valid evidences of korean medicine.

• Korean Journal of Psychosomatic Medicine
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• v.8 no.2
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• pp.201-211
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• 2000

Objectives : The purpose of this study was to determine the validity and reliablity of the Korean version of the Global Assessment of Recent Stress(GARS) Scale developed for assessing the severity of current perceived stressors, and then to use the scale in clinical practice. Methods : The questionnaire was completed by 215 healthy subjects. A comparison was made regarding the perception of stressors among 242 patients(71 with anxiety disorder, 73 with depressive disorder, 47 with somatoform disorder, and 51 with psychosomatic disorder) and 215 healthy subjects. Factor analysis was done using oblique rotation after maximum-likelihood factor analysis. Results : Factor analysis yielded 1 subscale. Reliability was computed by administering the GARS Scale to 69 healthy subjects during a 2-week interval. Test-retest reliability for 8 items and the total score was significantly high, ranging between 0.85-.95. Internal consistency was significant(Cronbach's a for 7 items : .86). Convergent validity was computed by correlating the 8 items and the total score with the total score of the stress response inventory(SRI), the perceived stress questionnaire(PSQ), and the somatization, anxiety, depression, hostility subscales and general indices of the symptom checklist-90-revised(SCL-90-R). The correlations were all at significant levels. Discriminant validity was computed by comparing the 8 item scores of the patient and control groups. Significant differences were found in area relevant to sickness or illness and the overill global area. The patients with anxiety disorder were significantly higher in area relevant to sickness or illness than the healthy group, whereas the patients with depressive disorder was significantly higher in the overall global score than healthy group. The depressive disorder group was the highest in overall global score of the GARS scale among 4 patient groups, and showed a significant higher scores in interpersonal relationship and overall global area than the psychosomatic disorder group. Conclusions : These results indicate that the Korean version of the GARS scale is highly reliable and valid, and that it can be utilized as an effective measure of perceived stressors for research in stress-related fields. It is suggested that depressive disorder patients are more likely to perceive recent stressors than psychosomatic disorder patients.

• Journal of the Korea Convergence Society
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• v.10 no.12
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• pp.465-476
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• 2019

This study was convergence study to determine sleep and its factors in university students on the basis of Spielman's 3P model. The participants were 191 graduate and undergraduate students who were scheduled to take the exam after 1~2 weeks. The related variables of quality of sleep were self-control, stress, test anxiety, smartphone dependence, and daytime sleepiness. Chi-square test and t-test were used to make a comparison of the quality of sleep between the good and the bad sleep quality group. Pearson's coefficient correlation analysis was performed for correlation between the quality of sleep and the general characteristics, self-control, stress, test anxiety, smartphone dependence, and daytime sleepiness. Stress and test anxiety as precipitating factors for sleep disturbance, smartphone dependency as a perpetuating factor for sleep disorder, and daytime sleepiness as a sleep-related factor were correlated with the quality of sleep; no statistically significant correlation was found with self-control as a predisposing factor in the biopsychological area. It is necessary to solve such problems with mental health as stress and test anxiety, which are factors for sleep disturbance, and smartphone dependency as a perpetuating factor for sleep disorder, in pursuit of higher quality of sleep for university students.