Iranian Journal of Public Health
Volume 47, Issue 1, 2018, Pages 39-46

Factors related to the attitude of north korean refugees towards people with mental illness (Article)

Noh J.-W. , Woo J.-M. , Park H. , Jung S.J. , Lee Y. , Kwon Y.D.*
  • a Dept. of Healthcare Management, College of Health Science, Eulji University, Seongnam, South Korea, Global Health Unit, Dept. of Health Sciences, University Medical Centre Groningen, University of Groningen, Groningen, Netherlands
  • b Korea Employee Assistance Professionals Association, Seoul, South Korea
  • c Gyeonggi Public Health Policy Institute, Seongnam, South Korea
  • d Dept. of Epidemiology, Harvard T.H Chan School of Public Health, Boston, United States
  • e Dept. of Healthcare Management, College of Health Science, Eulji University, Seongnam, South Korea
  • f Dept. of Humanities and Social Medicine, College of Medicine and Catholic Institute for Healthcare Management, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, South Korea

Abstract

Background: The purpose of this study was to explore the level of mental health knowledge among North Korean refugees residing in South Korea and to analyze the factors related to their attitude towards people with mental disorders. Methods: The survey was conducted on 150 people and the analysis included results from 138 participants in 2013. A multiple linear regression analysis was conducted to analyze the factors related to the attitude towards people with mental illness. Results: The education level attained in South Korea and the duration of stay in the South were effective factors associated with anti-authoritarianism. Age, marital status, education level in the North, and level of mental health knowledge were significant factors for benevolence. Time spent in South Korea and knowledge of mental health played a significant role in determining their attitude towards social restrictive-ness (P=0.014). Conclusion: The knowledge of mental illness in refugees was associated with their attitude towards people with mental illness. This study suggests the need to educate refugees on mental illness to enhance their attitudes. © 2018, Iranian Journal of Public Health. All rights reserved.

Author Keywords

North Korean Mental health knowledge Mental illness Attitude

Index Keywords

[No Keywords available]
Link
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-85048322327&partnerID=40&md5=b8223d26128f4d1d1948e53e9ee5ebdb
ISSN: 22516085
Original Language: English