Factor Structure of Korean Version of Fear Survey Schedule for Children / 신경정신의학

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study is to assess the psychometric properties and to investigate factor structure of the Korean version of Fear Survey Schedule for Children (FSSC-K). METHODS: 397 male and 366 female students in elementary, middle, and high school completed the FSSC-K, a anxiety scale, and a self-esteem scale to assess psychometric properties. 403 male and 175 female outpatients completed FSSC-K for confirmatory factor analysis. RESULTS: First, psychometric properties of the FSSC-K compared favorably with that of the FSSC-R. Second, students in elementary school were significantly higher in total score of the FSSC-K than in high school and females significantly higher than males. Third, a seven-factor solution provided the best conceptual fit for responding on the FSSC-K. Fourth, seven-factor model was most appropriate in result of confirmatory factor analysis in clinic-referred sample. CONCLUSION: It is suggested that the FSSC-K have a good reliability and validity and seven-factor model was most appropriate in Korean children and adolescents.

The Effect of Temperament on Juvenile Delinquent Behavior / 신경정신의학

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study is to investigate the characteristics of the temperament and character of juvenile delinquents, and to explore the effect of those factors on juvenile delinquent behavior. METHODS: 128 male and 29 female juvenile delinquents on probation, and 66 male and 69 female students in the 10th and the 11th grade, completed Junior Temperament and Character Inventory (JTCI), anxiety, depression scales and Latent Delinquency Questionnaire. RESULTS: Male juvenile delinquents showed significantly higher 'novelty seeking', and lower 'harm avoidance' and 'persistence' in JTCI subscales, compared to normal control group. Stepwise multiple-regression analysis showed that 'novelty seeking' and 'harm avoidance' were significantly predicting juvenile delinquent behavior. In the case of the female adolescents, delinquent group was significantly lower 'harm avoidance' than normal groups, and stepwise multiple regression analysis showed 'self-transcendence' was the only significant predicting variable for juvenile delinquent behavior. CONCLUSION: Based on the results, temperament was related to the juvenile delinquent behavior especially for male delinquent adolescents.

Characteristics of Emotion and Cognition in Adolescent Delinquent Behavior / 신경정신의학

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of present study was to explore characteristics of emotion and cognition in adolescent delinquency. METHODS: Four-hundred-seventy-six adolescents participated to fill out the Revised Children's Manifest Anxiety Scale (RCMAS), the Children's Depression Inventory (CDI), Children's Fear Survey Schedule-Revised (FCSS-R), the Latent Delinquency Questionnaire (LDQ), the Children's Automatic Thoughts Scale (CATS), the Negative Affect Self Statement Questionnaire (NASSQ), the Automatic Thoughts Questionnaire-Negative & Positive (ATQ-N, P), and the Rosenberg's Self Esteem Scale. RESULTS: Adolescent delinquency was positively correlated with anxiety and depression, negatively correlated with fear. Multiple regression analysis showed that depression, fear and the automatic thought for physical threat were significant predicting variables for adolescent delinquency. CONCLUSION: From our results it was inferred that adolescent delinquency is correlated with emotional discomfort, especially in male adolescents. And fear could suppress delinquent behaviors. From the results of this study the direction of future study was discussed.

The Characteristics of Adolescent Substance Abuse by the Age of the First Exposure to Substances / 신경정신의학

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether the age of the first exposure to substances influences the characteristics of substance abuse. METHOD: Ninety seven adolescent boys in a substance abuse treatment facility were evaluated by using questionnaires, individual diagnostic interviews, and psychology tests. They were classified into 3 groups, preadolescence group(PA), early adolescence group(EA), and middle adolescence group (MA) according to the age of the first exposure to substances, and the data were statistically analyzed by SPSS 9.0. RESULTS: The average age was 16.4+/-1.2 years. There were 39 in PA, 29 in EA, and 29 in MA. In comparison to EA, PA showed higher frequency in substance use, substance dependence, and positive family history of alcohol abuse. In comparison to MA, PA had higher frequency in troubles in interpersonal relationship, functional impairment, dependence on substances, withdrawal symptoms, amount of alcohol and gas consumed, positive family history of alcohol abuse. presence of comorbid psychiatric disorders, and higher score in K-subscale of MMPI. PA also used more variety of substances more frequently, and had shorter duration before starting the second substance. In comparison to MA, EA showed higher frequency of substance use, functional impairment, trouble in interpersonal relationship, diagnoses of substance dependence, and shorter duration before starting the second substance. However, less EA were from disorganized families. Among the 3 groups, there were no statistically meaningful differences in combined use of alcohol, trial of abstinence, duration of abstinence, child abuse history, family support, intelligence, and frequency and duration of running away from home. CONCLUSION: Earlier exposure to substances may lead to more serious problems of drug abuse. Earlier drug prevention education for adolescents should be provided.