Psychiatry Investigation
Volume 5, Issue 4, 2008, Pages 213-220

Traumatic experiences and mental health of North Korean refugees in South Korea (Article) (Open Access)

Jeon W.-T.* , Yu S.-E. , Cho Y.-A. , Eom J.-S.
  • a Department of Psychiatry, Department of Medical Education, Yonsei University College of Medicine, 134 Sinchon-dong, Seodaemun-gu, Seoul 120-752, South Korea
  • b Korean Unification Studies, Yonsei University, Seoul, South Korea
  • c Department of Psychology Counseling, Seoul Cyber University, Seoul, South Korea
  • d Department of Psychology, Chungbuk National University, Cheongju, South Korea

Abstract

Objective: This study was conducted at Hanawon-a government sponsored educational facility for the settlement of North Korean refugees during their initial phase in South Korea-in 2004 to explore their mental health status and traumatic experiences in North Korea and during their escape period. Methods: A survey was conducted in November 2004 with 62 North Korean refugees at Hanawon, and the Trauma Checklist was used to measure their traumatic experiences. To measure their psychological-mental health status, the Personality Assessment Inventory was administered. Results: In comparison with the traumatic experiences of the North Korean refugees found in the study conducted in 2001 at Hanawon using the same methods, the current study showed a relatively lower frequency of traumatic experiences among the participants. The Personality Assessment Inventory results revealed that the study participants scored higher than average South Koreans in all clinical scales. Particularly, their mania (62.51) and schizophrenia (61.75) scores were above 60, a clinically meaningful score. In the gender comparison, the males exhibited meaningfully higher levels of alcohol problem, non-support, and warmth scale scores. Conclusion: Compared to the 2001 study, the overall traumatic experiences among North Korean refugees participated in this study. But continous support is necessary for their successful adaptation to South Korean Society have declined. The North Korean refugees at Hanawon experienced difficulties maintaining their mental health and the men in particular requested more intensive care and support for this purpose. Copyright © 2008 Official Journal of Korean Neuropsychiatric Association.

Author Keywords

Traumatic experience North Korean refugee Mental health Personality Assessment Inventory North Korean defector

Index Keywords

South Korea refugee schizophrenia human sex difference controlled study comparative study health status alcoholism social support checklist mania mental health care male female personality test psychological rating scale North Korea scoring system Article major clinical study adult escape behavior psychotrauma health survey
Link
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-58149486712&doi=10.4306%2fpi.2008.5.4.213&partnerID=40&md5=378df097767e67f7afc32cbe5ba126eb
DOI: 10.4306/pi.2008.5.4.213
ISSN: 17383684
Cited by: 29
Original Language: English