Factors associated with posttraumatic growth among North Korean defectors in South Korea
Abstract Refugees experience various kinds of trauma during the migration process, which can cause psychiatric problems such as posttraumatic stress disorder. However, in the process of overcoming traumatic experiences, they may also experience posttraumatic growth (PTG). This study examined the lev...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Nature Portfolio
2022-03-01
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| Series: | Scientific Reports |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-022-07945-3 |
| _version_ | 1819294610911920128 |
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| author | Mi Kyung Lee Ocksim Kim Kyoung-A. Kim Sang Hui Chu |
| author_facet | Mi Kyung Lee Ocksim Kim Kyoung-A. Kim Sang Hui Chu |
| author_sort | Mi Kyung Lee |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Refugees experience various kinds of trauma during the migration process, which can cause psychiatric problems such as posttraumatic stress disorder. However, in the process of overcoming traumatic experiences, they may also experience posttraumatic growth (PTG). This study examined the level of PTG and its associated factors among North Korean defectors, including posttraumatic stress symptoms (PTSS). In total, 212 North Korean defectors completed self-report questionnaires measuring PTG (PTG inventory), PTSS (Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Checklist, PCL-5), quality of life (WHOQOL-BREF), and various sociodemographic variables. Participants completed the survey online, from July 27 to August 4, 2020. Participants reported a moderate level of PTG scores (51.7 ± 15.4, range 0–80). To determine the impact of PTSS on PTG among North Korean defectors, we conducted a hierarchical multiple regression analysis. In the final model, several sociodemographic factors (years in South Korea, education in North Korea, religion, and employment status), overall quality of life (β = 0.321, p < 0.001), and PTSS (β = 0.162, p = 0.035) were positively associated with PTG, whereas living with family (β = − 0.1261, p = 0.040) and loneliness (β = − 0.401, p < 0.001) were negatively associated with PTG, accounting for 36.6% of the variance in PTG scores (p < 0.001). This is the first large-scale study describing the level of PTG and its associated factors among North Korean defectors residing in South Korea. Further, our study provides suggestions for future research in this area, and interventions for improving PTG among this group. |
| first_indexed | 2024-12-24T04:29:04Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-9b7e1497eb214437822505ba5aa4e54b |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2045-2322 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-12-24T04:29:04Z |
| publishDate | 2022-03-01 |
| publisher | Nature Portfolio |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Scientific Reports |
| spelling | doaj.art-9b7e1497eb214437822505ba5aa4e54b2022-12-21T17:15:29ZengNature PortfolioScientific Reports2045-23222022-03-011211910.1038/s41598-022-07945-3Factors associated with posttraumatic growth among North Korean defectors in South KoreaMi Kyung Lee0Ocksim Kim1Kyoung-A. Kim2Sang Hui Chu3Mo-Im Kim Nursing Research Institute, Yonsei University College of NursingDepartment of Nursing, Yonsei University College of Nursing and Brain Korea 21 FOUR ProjectMo-Im Kim Nursing Research Institute, Yonsei University College of NursingMo-Im Kim Nursing Research Institute, Yonsei University College of NursingAbstract Refugees experience various kinds of trauma during the migration process, which can cause psychiatric problems such as posttraumatic stress disorder. However, in the process of overcoming traumatic experiences, they may also experience posttraumatic growth (PTG). This study examined the level of PTG and its associated factors among North Korean defectors, including posttraumatic stress symptoms (PTSS). In total, 212 North Korean defectors completed self-report questionnaires measuring PTG (PTG inventory), PTSS (Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Checklist, PCL-5), quality of life (WHOQOL-BREF), and various sociodemographic variables. Participants completed the survey online, from July 27 to August 4, 2020. Participants reported a moderate level of PTG scores (51.7 ± 15.4, range 0–80). To determine the impact of PTSS on PTG among North Korean defectors, we conducted a hierarchical multiple regression analysis. In the final model, several sociodemographic factors (years in South Korea, education in North Korea, religion, and employment status), overall quality of life (β = 0.321, p < 0.001), and PTSS (β = 0.162, p = 0.035) were positively associated with PTG, whereas living with family (β = − 0.1261, p = 0.040) and loneliness (β = − 0.401, p < 0.001) were negatively associated with PTG, accounting for 36.6% of the variance in PTG scores (p < 0.001). This is the first large-scale study describing the level of PTG and its associated factors among North Korean defectors residing in South Korea. Further, our study provides suggestions for future research in this area, and interventions for improving PTG among this group.https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-022-07945-3 |
| spellingShingle | Mi Kyung Lee Ocksim Kim Kyoung-A. Kim Sang Hui Chu Factors associated with posttraumatic growth among North Korean defectors in South Korea Scientific Reports |
| title | Factors associated with posttraumatic growth among North Korean defectors in South Korea |
| title_full | Factors associated with posttraumatic growth among North Korean defectors in South Korea |
| title_fullStr | Factors associated with posttraumatic growth among North Korean defectors in South Korea |
| title_full_unstemmed | Factors associated with posttraumatic growth among North Korean defectors in South Korea |
| title_short | Factors associated with posttraumatic growth among North Korean defectors in South Korea |
| title_sort | factors associated with posttraumatic growth among north korean defectors in south korea |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-022-07945-3 |
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