• Research in Community and Public Health Nursing
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• v.23 no.2
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• pp.144-154
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• 2012

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate the characteristics of problem behaviors, cultural identity and acculturation of North Korean (NK) refugee youth and to suggest an appropriate approach for helping them to adjust to our society based on these findings. Methods: The subjects were 117 NK adolescent refugees in Hanawon. Data were collected by a demographic questionnaire, Youth Self Report (YSR), the South-North Korean cultural identity. Results: Problem behaviors of NK refugee youth were the highest in anxiety/depression and withdrawal behavior and were followed by internalized behavior, aggressiveness, overall problem behavior, externalized behavior, delinquency and positive behavior in that order. Acculturation was the highest in 'separation' followed by 'integration', 'assimilation' and 'marginalization' in that order. No significant relationship was found between acculturation types and problem behaviors except positive behavior. Conclusion: This study provides some important information that we have to develop specific strategies and interventions primarily focused on withdrawal, anxiety/depression, and internalization for the adjustment and mental health of NK refugee youth. It is necessary to explore further research related to cultural identity, acculturation processes, and the correlation between acculturation types and problem behaviors.

• Korean Association of Arts Management
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• no.55
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• pp.75-113
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• 2020

This research aims to identify current issues of arts education programs which have designed for North Korean Refugee Youth in South Korea and then navigates further steps to better serve the group. The purpose of study also pertains to the '2010 Seoul Agenda: Goals for the Development of Arts Education' announced at the Second World Conference on Arts Education, particularly, to the third Goal indicating how arts education practices can contribute to resolving social and cultural issues and promoting social cohesion and intercultural dialogues (UNESCO, 2010). This research engages with critical theory approach and adopts qualitative content analysis for collected documents and interview data. Based on the findings of this research, interview participants found its need of current arts education program for North Korean refugee youth become more value-driven and participant-centered. Currently, those programs available seem to incline to helping their adjustment to the South Korean society through arts-related activities, such as enhancing Korean language skills and learning Korean culture. Rather, it has been addressed that providing emotional and psychological supports and opportunities to search their own 'voice(s)' should be core objectives of the arts education programs. Moreover, when it is offered, arts educators and administrators need to make sure that participants can feel safe and secure as being present at the space for programs in order to express and encounter their true inner voice(s).

• Journal of the Korea Society of Computer and Information
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• v.21 no.3
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• pp.137-143
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• 2016

This study is to test moderating effects of North Korean Refugees' coping styles in the causal relation between social support and psychological wellbeing and suggest policy implications for helping social adjustment of North Korean Refugees. For this study, 100 North Korean Refugees were sampled and surveyed. The analytical result of this study showed that the degree of psychological wellbeing was highest among the refugees of the entire families migration. Also, this study showed that the causal relationship between social support and psychological wellbeing was not significant, and moderating effects of emotional support and appraisal support were significant, while moderating effects of material support and informative support were not significant. In this study, we suggested some policy implications basing on this analytical results.

• Korean Journal of Social Welfare
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• v.64 no.4
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• pp.89-111
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• 2012

Since the U.S. government officially accepted North Korean(NK) as refugees starting in 2006, about 120 North Koreans have come to and been living in the United States. However, little is known in regard to what the North Korean refugees need for a qualify life. This study aims to explore the essential experiences of North Korean defectors who have settled in the United States after escaping North Korea. Research inquiries are why North Korean refugees have chosen the United States for their settlement, and how they are living in the United States. Data were collected from in-depth interviews with eight NK refugees. For data analysis, grounded theory approach by Strauss and Corbin(1998) was employed. The data analysis identified the central phenomenon, protective and risk factors, and core actions and consequences of NK refugees' adjustment in the U.S. The central phenomenon was "voluntary choose to come to the U.S." The core action and consequences in the process of their adjustment were 'searching for the meaning of life,' and 'achieving acculturation.' The findings may provide deeper understanding on the situation of North Korean refugees in the U.S. and implications for how to help them adjust well in the society.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.11 no.4
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• pp.307-318
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• 2017

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Relocation to new environments can have a negative impact on health by altering body weight and dietary patterns. This study attempted to elucidate changes in body weight, food security, and their current food and nutrient consumption in adult North Korean refugees (NKR) living in South Korea (SK). SUBJECTS/METHODS: This study analyzed data on 149 adult NKR from a North Korean refugee health in SK cohort at four time points (leaving North Korea, entering SK, first examination, and second examination). Body weight was self-reported at the two earlier time points and directly measured at the two later time points. Food security, diet-related behaviors (dietary habits and food consumption), and sociodemographic information were obtained using a self-administered questionnaire. Nutrient intake information was obtained by one-day 24-hour recall. Statistical analyses were performed with SPSS ver 23.0. RESULTS: Body weight increased during relocation by an average of 4 kg, although diversified patterns were observed during the settlement period in SK. Approximately 39.6% of subjects maintained their body weight between the first and second examinations, whereas 38.6% gained and 22.1% lost at least 3% of their body weight at the first examination by the second examination. Food security status improved from 12.1% food secure proportion to 61.7%. NKR showed generally good food and nutrient consumption (index of nutrient quality: 0.77-1.93). The body weight loss group showed the most irregular meal consumption pattern (P < 0.05), and eating-out was infrequent in all three groups. Consumption frequencies of food groups did not differ by group, except in the fish group (P = 0.036). CONCLUSION: This study observed considerable body weight adjustment during the settlement period in SK after initial weight gain, whereas food security consistently improved. More detailed understanding of this process is needed to assist healthy settlement for NKR in SK.

• Korean Journal of Culture and Social Issue
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• v.14 no.1_spc
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• pp.487-518
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• 2008

The study identifies the major themes for integration education program which enhances the relationship between the north Korean refugees and their south Korean hosts. The themes were selected based on qualitative analysis of the socio-cultural conflicts experienced by the refugees and the hosts in the acculturation process. Twenty-eight north Korean refugees over age 20 participated in semi-structured interviews, and two south Korean groups in close contact with the refugees, police and volunteer teachers, were interviewed in focus groups. The interviews were recorded and transcribed for categorization and coding. The study views the acculturation issue as the two-sided integration task for both the north Korean refugees and the south Korean hosts rather than as the one-sided acceptance and assimilation task for the refugees.