Character Strength and Mental Health Problems among Children from Low-Income Families in South Korea
This study was conducted to understand the association between character strength and mental health problems among children in early adolescence from low-income families in South Korea. This study used a cross-sectional and descriptive study design with 214 fifth- and sixth-grade elementary school c...
| Main Authors: | , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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MDPI AG
2022-10-01
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| Series: | Children |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2227-9067/9/10/1599 |
| _version_ | 1827650916185014272 |
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| author | Hyunjoo Na Gyungjoo Lee Euna Si Won Hee Jun Chang Park |
| author_facet | Hyunjoo Na Gyungjoo Lee Euna Si Won Hee Jun Chang Park |
| author_sort | Hyunjoo Na |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | This study was conducted to understand the association between character strength and mental health problems among children in early adolescence from low-income families in South Korea. This study used a cross-sectional and descriptive study design with 214 fifth- and sixth-grade elementary school children from low-income families enrolled in 20 community centers and receiving government financial assistance. A bivariate probit model was used to examine the association between character strength and mental health problems in the children. We found that character strength lowers the likelihood of developing hyperactivity–inattention and emotional symptoms among children from low-income families. Additionally, adverse life events were associated with increased mental health problems, whereas adverse life events were not significantly correlated with character strength in the current study. Specific interventions should be developed to cultivate character strength among children in early adolescence from low-income families who are at a high risk of mental health problems under cumulative adverse life events. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-09T20:27:35Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-d67263bc90964787820948198a7986f4 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2227-9067 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-09T20:27:35Z |
| publishDate | 2022-10-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Children |
| spelling | doaj.art-d67263bc90964787820948198a7986f42023-11-23T23:33:34ZengMDPI AGChildren2227-90672022-10-01910159910.3390/children9101599Character Strength and Mental Health Problems among Children from Low-Income Families in South KoreaHyunjoo Na0Gyungjoo Lee1Euna Si2Won Hee Jun3Chang Park4College of Nursing, The Catholic University of Korea, 222 Banpo-daero, Seochogu, Seoul 65091, KoreaCollege of Nursing, The Catholic University of Korea, 222 Banpo-daero, Seochogu, Seoul 65091, KoreaCollege of Nursing, The Catholic University of Korea, 222 Banpo-daero, Seochogu, Seoul 65091, KoreaCollege of Nursing, Keimyung University, 1905 Dalgubeol-daero, Dalseogu, Daegu 42601, KoreaCollege of Nursing, University of Illinois at Chicago 845 S. Damen Ave., MC 802, Chicago, IL 60612, USAThis study was conducted to understand the association between character strength and mental health problems among children in early adolescence from low-income families in South Korea. This study used a cross-sectional and descriptive study design with 214 fifth- and sixth-grade elementary school children from low-income families enrolled in 20 community centers and receiving government financial assistance. A bivariate probit model was used to examine the association between character strength and mental health problems in the children. We found that character strength lowers the likelihood of developing hyperactivity–inattention and emotional symptoms among children from low-income families. Additionally, adverse life events were associated with increased mental health problems, whereas adverse life events were not significantly correlated with character strength in the current study. Specific interventions should be developed to cultivate character strength among children in early adolescence from low-income families who are at a high risk of mental health problems under cumulative adverse life events.https://www.mdpi.com/2227-9067/9/10/1599childlife change eventscharacteraffective symptomsbehavioral symptoms |
| spellingShingle | Hyunjoo Na Gyungjoo Lee Euna Si Won Hee Jun Chang Park Character Strength and Mental Health Problems among Children from Low-Income Families in South Korea Children child life change events character affective symptoms behavioral symptoms |
| title | Character Strength and Mental Health Problems among Children from Low-Income Families in South Korea |
| title_full | Character Strength and Mental Health Problems among Children from Low-Income Families in South Korea |
| title_fullStr | Character Strength and Mental Health Problems among Children from Low-Income Families in South Korea |
| title_full_unstemmed | Character Strength and Mental Health Problems among Children from Low-Income Families in South Korea |
| title_short | Character Strength and Mental Health Problems among Children from Low-Income Families in South Korea |
| title_sort | character strength and mental health problems among children from low income families in south korea |
| topic | child life change events character affective symptoms behavioral symptoms |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2227-9067/9/10/1599 |
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