Journal of Immigrant and Minority Health
Volume 20, Issue 6, 2018, Pages 1355-1361

Health-Promoting Behavior and Influencing Factors in Young North Korean Refugees (NKRs) Living in South Korea (Article) (Open Access)

Park J. , Kwon Y.D. , Park H. , Yu S.E. , Noh J.-W.*
  • a National Institutes of Health Clinical Center, Bethesda, MD, United States
  • b Department of Humanities and Social Medicine, College of Medicine and Catholic Institute for Healthcare Management, the Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, South Korea
  • c Department of Healthcare Management, Eulji University, Seongnam, South Korea
  • d Clinical Trial Center, Korea University Medical Center, Seoul, South Korea
  • e Department of Healthcare Management and Institute of Global Healthcare Research, Eulji University, 553, Sanseong-daero, Sujeong-gu, Seongnam-si, Gyeonggi-do 13135, South Korea

Abstract

The number of young North Korean refugees (NKRs) entering South Korea to escape famine and poverty and improve their quality of life is drastically increasing. The aims of this study were to identify and compare health promoting lifestyle behaviors (HPLBs) of young NKRs, compared to South Koreans, and to investigate influencing factors related to HPLBs in young NKRs. Data were obtained from 150 NKRs residing in South Korea and 161 South Koreans. Respondents provided their psychological status (depression, stress, and life satisfaction) and HPLBs. The NKRs reported lower interpersonal relations scores and higher spiritual growth scores compared to the control group. Attendance in religious services, stress, and life satisfaction were significantly associated with HPLBs in young NKRs. Health education and/or promotion programs focusing interpersonal relations and spiritual growth may be beneficial. In addition, regular psychological health screening is proposed as part of health-checkup programs, potentially improving adjustment to South Korean society. © 2018, The Author(s).

Author Keywords

youth Refugee Health-promoting lifestyle behavior North Korea

Index Keywords

South Korea healthy lifestyle Republic of Korea refugee Interpersonal Relations Democratic People's Republic of Korea mental health human epidemiology Refugees Stress, Psychological mental stress health status ethnology religion human relation Cross-Sectional Studies quality of life Young Adult cross-sectional study Humans Adolescent male female Socioeconomic Factors socioeconomics North Korea Spirituality adult age sex factor Sex Factors Age Factors Personal Satisfaction satisfaction time
Link
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-85056736966&doi=10.1007%2fs10903-018-0691-z&partnerID=40&md5=55e855f961fb2b4d2f295dc2d78b9240
DOI: 10.1007/s10903-018-0691-z
ISSN: 15571912
Original Language: English