Effects of a Positive Psychology-based Mental Health Promotion Program for High School Students

Purpose@#The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of a positive psychology-based mental health promotion program for high school students. @*Methods@#This study used a randomized control group pretest-posttest design. A total of 47 high school students participated from two high schools in Gyeonggi Province. They were randomly assigned to an experimental group (n=24), which participated in the 8-session program, or to a control group (n=23). Psychological well-being, depression, and self-esteem were measured. @*Results@#A significant difference in psychological well-being was observed between the two groups after the program. However, there were no significant between-group differences in depression or self-esteem. @*Conclusion@#The positive psychology-based mental program was effective at increasing psychological well-being in adolescents, especially high school students. This study suggests that a school curriculum could incorporate positive psychology-based mental programs for high school students to promote their mental health.

Mediating Effect of Resilience on the Relationship between Psychological Stress and Burnout among Workers with Violence Experiences in Community Mental Health Welfare Center / 정신간호학회지

Purpose@#This study was conducted to examine the mediating effect of resilience on the relationship between psychological stress and burnout among workers with violence experiences in community mental health welfare center. @*Methods@#A descriptive correlational design was employed. Two hundred and twenty-four workers who had violence experiences from clients participated in the study. The data were collected from August 5 to 29, 2019. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, Pearson correlation coefficients, and multiple regression analyses based on Baron and Kenny criterion. @*Results@#Psychological stress was significantly negatively correlated with resilience (r=-.21, p=.002) and significantly positively correlated with burnout (r=.70, p<.001). Resilience was also significantly negatively correlated with burnout (r=-.30, p<.001). Furthermore, resilience (β=-0.17, p<.001) had a significant partial mediating effect on the relationship between psychological stress and burnout (Z=2.35, p=.018). @*Conclusion@#Our study findings suggest that resilience plays an important role to maintain well-being and cope productively of workers with violence experiences. Therefore, it is necessary to develop a intervention program that can enhance the resilience to cope positively for the workers with violence experiences in community mental health welfare center.

Mediating Effect of Resilience on the Relationship between Psychological Stress and Burnout among Workers with Violence Experiences in Community Mental Health Welfare Center / 정신간호학회지

Purpose@#This study was conducted to examine the mediating effect of resilience on the relationship between psychological stress and burnout among workers with violence experiences in community mental health welfare center. @*Methods@#A descriptive correlational design was employed. Two hundred and twenty-four workers who had violence experiences from clients participated in the study. The data were collected from August 5 to 29, 2019. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, Pearson correlation coefficients, and multiple regression analyses based on Baron and Kenny criterion. @*Results@#Psychological stress was significantly negatively correlated with resilience (r=-.21, p=.002) and significantly positively correlated with burnout (r=.70, p<.001). Resilience was also significantly negatively correlated with burnout (r=-.30, p<.001). Furthermore, resilience (β=-0.17, p<.001) had a significant partial mediating effect on the relationship between psychological stress and burnout (Z=2.35, p=.018). @*Conclusion@#Our study findings suggest that resilience plays an important role to maintain well-being and cope productively of workers with violence experiences. Therefore, it is necessary to develop a intervention program that can enhance the resilience to cope positively for the workers with violence experiences in community mental health welfare center.

Effects of a Province-Based Strategy to Prevent Suicide Using Charcoal Burning: A Preliminary Time Series Analysis

The suicide rate in Korea has been declining steadily after peaking in 2011. However, to date, time-series analyses of Korean suicide rate data have mainly addressed factors related to increases in suicide rates. This study analyzed one of the most important evidence-based public health strategies to decrease suicide, that is, preventive effects of restricting access to lethal means via a charcoal-selling procedure improvement campaign, using multivariate time series analysis. The results showed the campaign in Gyeonggi Province had a significant effect on decreasing the number of charcoal-burning suicides in this area. It is believed that the present study has important implications in terms of providing the first empirical evidence for the charcoal-selling procedure improvement campaign in Korea. Further repeated research is needed to evaluate the impact of the intervention when the more enough observational data become available.

A Study on the Effectiveness of Adolescent's Suicide Prevention Program / 신경정신의학

OBJECTIVES: Though the youth suicide rate in Korea is similar to those in other OECD countries, it was the first cause of death among youths in Korea during the five years from 2009 to 2013. This study aims to evaluate the effects of a school based suicide prevention program for adolescents. METHODS: A survey was conducted with 134 first grade students in middle school in Gyeonggi-do. The independent samples t-test was performed to detect differences in the suicide attitude between the experimental and control groups, and the levels of suicide prevention knowledge and activities were analyzed by χ² (chi-squared) analysis. RESULTS: The difference in the effectiveness of the suicide prevention program for adolescents on the suicide attitude between the control group (−1.12±2.08) and experimental group (1.24±4.51) turned out to be statistically significant (t=3.893, p<0.001). The experimental group was more likely to show a positive change than the control group. Moreover, since it raised the suicide prevention knowledge (χ²=6.041, p=0.049) and activities (χ²=16.284, p<0.001) compared to the control, it was confirmed that the suicide prevention program for adolescents would be very effective. CONCLUSION: The adolescent's suicide prevention program of Gyeonggi-do is considered to reinforce teenagers' values against suicide and bring about behavioral changes leading to effective suicide prevention. Further studies are needed for the evaluation and expansion of the long-term effects of the program.

Effects of the Mental Health Promotion Program based on Positive Psychology for Adolescents with Problem Behavior / 한국간호교육학회지

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of the mental health promotion program based on Positive Psychology for adolescents with problem behavior. METHODS: The study used a nonequivalent control group pretest-posttest design. Eligible participants were first grade students in two high schools in K Province. The inclusion criteria for the study were those with scores in the upper 15% on the Korean Youth Self-Report. A total of 74 participants were assigned to an 8-session program (n=38) or to a control (n=36) group. The outcome variables were psychological well-being, depression, and self-esteem. RESULTS: There were no statistically significant differences in demographic variables or outcome variables, except self-esteem, between the two groups at the baseline. The experimental group had higher mean scores on psychological well-being and self-esteem and a lower mean score on depression. There were significant differences in psychological well-being (t=3.45, p=.001), self-esteem (F=5.45, p=.022), and depression (t=-2.80, p=.007) between the two groups. CONCLUSION: The mental health promotion program based on Positive Psychology was effective in decreasing depression as well as improving psychological well-being and self-esteem for adolescents with problem behavior. This study contributes to suggesting a framework for promoting mental health for high school students with problem behavior.

Influencing Factors on Externalized and Internalized Problem Behaviors among Adolescents: Focused on First Grade High School Students / 한국간호교육학회지

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to investigate the influencing factors on externalized and internalized problem behaviors among high school students. METHODS: The subjects for this study were 707 students in two high schools in K province. The data were collected during the period from October to November, 2014 by use of questionnaires. The instruments used were the Korean Youth Self-report, Daily Hassles Questionnaire, State-Trait Anger Expression Inventory, and Ego Resiliency Scale. The data were analyzed using SPSS. RESULTS: Significant predictors to explain externalized problem behaviors comprised anger-out, anger-in, anger-control, relation with parents, daily stress, and religion. It was found that these factors explained 46% of externalized problem behavior. Ego resiliency, anger-in, daily stress, gender, relation with parent, and anger-out were significant predictors to explain internalized problem behaviors. It was found that these factors explained 45% of internalized problem behaviors. CONCLUSION: This study suggests that the influencing factors on problem behaviors differ from externalized and internalized problem behaviors. So these findings will provide the basic data to develop a program that is differentiated by problem behavior type.

Psychological Autopsy: Review and Considerations for Future Directions in Korea / 신경정신의학

Psychological autopsy is a systematic methodology for comprehensive investigation of psychiatric and behavioral factors assumed to be causative or related to death of the deceased. In many countries, psychological autopsy is considered the most direct and valuable tool for determining the relationship between risk factors and suicide. The case of Finland revealed that successful psychological autopsy studies could greatly contribute to the national suicide prevention strategy, which consequently reduced the national suicide rate. Despite the strengths of psychological autopsy for identifying risk factors of suicide and consequently preventing suicide, it has not been successful in Korea. Implementation of psychological autopsy has been inconsistent and sporadic across the provinces. In addition, standardization of psychological autopsy protocol and qualification of interviewers are needed. With all of these methodological issues in mind, conduct of as many psychological autopsies as possible is important in order to build an evidence-based suicide prevention strategy. For successful implementation of psychological autopsy in Korea, it is necessary to improve attitudes toward suicide and psychiatric conditions. Legal, administrative, and institutional support are also important. Finally, multidisciplinary approach based on the financial and legal support should be employed.

Mechanical properties of laser-welded cast titanium and titanium alloy / 대한치과보철학회지

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of the output energy(voltage) of laser welding on the strength and properties of joint of cast titanium(CP Gr II) and titanium alloy(Ti-6Al-4V). MATERIAL AND METHOD: Cast titanium and its alloy rods(ISO6871) were prepared and perpendicularly cut at the center of the rod. After the cut halves were fixed in a jig, and the joints welded with a laser-welding machine at several levels of output voltage of 200V.280V. Uncut specimens served as the non-welded control specimens. The pulse duration and pulse spot size employed in this study were 10ms and 1.0mm respectively. Tensile testing was conducted at a crosshead speed of 0.5mm/min. The ultimate tensile strength(MPa) was recorded, and the data(n=6) were statistically analyzed by one-way analysis of variance(ANOVA) and Scheffe's test at alpha=0.05. The fracture surface of specimens investigated by scanning electron microscope(SEM). Vickers microhardness was measured under 500g load of 15seconds with the optimal condition of output voltage 280V. RESULTS: The results of this study were obtained as follows, 1. When the pulse duration and spot size were fixed at 10ms and 1.0mm respectively, increasing the output energy(voltage) increased UTS values and penetration depth of laser welded to titanium and titanium alloy. 2. For the commercial titanium grade II, ultimate tensile strength(665.3MPa) of the specimens laser-welded at voltage of 280V were not statistically(p>0.05) different from the non-welded control specimens(680.2MPa). 3. For the titanium alloy(Ti-6Al-4V), ultimate tensile strength(988.3MPa) of the specimens laser-welded at voltage of 280V were statistically(p<0.05) different from the nonwelded control specimens(665.0MPa). 4. The commercial titanium grade II and titanium alloy(Ti-6Al-4V) were Vickers microhardness values were increased in the fusion zone and there were no significant differences in base metal, heat-affected zone.