Development and a Pilot Application Process of the Korean Psychological Autopsy Checklist for Adolescents

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study was to develop the Korean Psychological Autopsy Checklist for Adolescent (K-PAC-A) and conduct a pilot study. METHODS: A number of steps were undertaken in the development of the K-PAC-A including literature reviews, consultations, and a pilot study. The Korean psychology autopsy checklist 2.0 (K-PAC 2.0) was carefully reviewed to adopt some domains and questions which can be applied to adolescents. RESULTS: In addition to the adoption of some domains and questions from the K-PAC 2.0, some items were developed by considering the risk factors shown in the previous studies and cultural factors including family-based and school-based problems. A pilot study was conducted in collaboration with Eulji hospital, and Suicide and School Mental Health Institute of Hallym University and 5 cases of adolescent suicide victims were recruited. A final version of the K-PAC-A consists of three domains; a bereaved family (informants), a decedent, and psychological assessments. CONCLUSION: An adolescent psychological autopsy study using the K-PAC-A is expected to provide useful evidence for suicide prevention policies and intervention plans for Korean youths in the future.

The Stigma of Mental Illness in Korea / 신경정신의학

The stigma of mental illness is a problem that should be addressed urgently as such stigma has a negative effect on the lives of individuals with mental disorders, which may result in social and economic losses. Moreover, mental health stigma acts as a barrier to mental health service utilization. Thus, the need to reduce the mental health stigma has been highlighted. In Korea, stigma associated with individuals with mental disorders has been studied; however, few of those studies investigated mental health literacy, which might influence an individual's attitudes toward and beliefs about people with mental disorders. Furthermore, there are fewer evidence-based anti-stigma campaigns and programs in Korea than in other countries. On that basis, a review of previous studies focusing on mental disorder stigma was undertaken, and the effects of such stigma on individuals with mental disorders and on society were assessed. In addition, research into mental health literacy, rarely undertaken in South Korea, was discussed. Finally, anti-stigma campaigns that are reportedly effective in reducing mental illness stigma were reviewed. With regard to future research on mental health stigma in South Korea, it is suggested that researchers study mental health literacy to assess accurately the public's misperceptions about mental disorders. In addition, a variety of evidence-based anti-stigma campaigns should be implemented to increase public knowledge of mental disorders. Lastly, cooperation between public and private sectors should be encouraged to develop strategies for reducing the stigma and negative beliefs associated with mental disorders.

A Case of Hodgkin Lymphoma Developed in an Ataxia-telangiectasia Patient / 임상소아혈액종양

Ataxia-telangiectasia (AT) is characterized by cerebellar ataxia, progressive immunodeficiency, radiation sensitivity, telangiectasia, and predisposition to malignancy. AT patients have a 100-fold increased risk for the development of lymphoid malignancies. It is important to consider AT in a child with pre-existing ataxia, or lymphoid malignancy that was diagnosed at a younger age than expected. This consideration avoids the confusion between ataxia development and toxicity from chemotherapy. Hodgkin's lymphoma (HL) is usually treated with chemotherapy and/or radiotherapy. Unfortunately, when treated with conventional doses of radiotherapy, AT patients invariably experience devastating necrosis of their normal tissues. Therefore, a new treatment protocol for patients with HL in AT must be established. In this paper, we report the case of an 8-year-old female patient with HL in AT who was treated with chemotherapy. This patient was also treated with brentuximab (which targets CD30) for salvage therapy after the disease progressed.

A Case of Hodgkin Lymphoma Developed in an Ataxia-telangiectasia Patient / 임상소아혈액종양

Ataxia-telangiectasia (AT) is characterized by cerebellar ataxia, progressive immunodeficiency, radiation sensitivity, telangiectasia, and predisposition to malignancy. AT patients have a 100-fold increased risk for the development of lymphoid malignancies. It is important to consider AT in a child with pre-existing ataxia, or lymphoid malignancy that was diagnosed at a younger age than expected. This consideration avoids the confusion between ataxia development and toxicity from chemotherapy. Hodgkin's lymphoma (HL) is usually treated with chemotherapy and/or radiotherapy. Unfortunately, when treated with conventional doses of radiotherapy, AT patients invariably experience devastating necrosis of their normal tissues. Therefore, a new treatment protocol for patients with HL in AT must be established. In this paper, we report the case of an 8-year-old female patient with HL in AT who was treated with chemotherapy. This patient was also treated with brentuximab (which targets CD30) for salvage therapy after the disease progressed.