Restandardization of the Korean Personality Assessment Inventory: Comparisons with the Original Korean Version / 신경정신의학

Objectives@#This study examined the results of the restandardization of the Korean Personality Assessment Inventory (PAI). The Korean PAI was first standardized in 2001 and then restandardized in 2019 to establish new normative data. On the other hand, differences may exist in the results of the restandardized version considering the time interval, which may include cultural and social differences. Thus, differences between the results of the Korean PAI administered in 2001 and 2019 must be examined to confirm its new normative data followed by restandardization. @*Methods@#Data from 2212 adults who administered the original Korean PAI in 2001 and 1263 adults who administered the Korean PAI in 2019 were collected. The study compared the reliability and mean scores. In addition, the mean scores of the Korean PAI administered in 2019 were converted to T-scores adapted to the normative data of 2001. The collected data was analyzed using a t-test and comparing the T-scores. @*Results@#The internal consistency reliability showed a similar pattern in both versions, but the differences among the mean scores and T-scores appeared to be significant. @*Conclusion@#The significant differences between the scores of the Korean PAI administered in 2001 and 2019 reflect the result of the restandardization. Therefore, the restandardized version of the Korean PAI may bring more precise information that can be adapted to the contemporary era.

Reliability and Validity of the Beck Depression Inventory-II among Korean Adolescents

OBJECTIVE: The Beck Depression Inventory-II (BDI-II) is one of the most popular scales for evaluating the severity of depression in adolescents as well as adults. The prevalence of depression increases during adolescence, and it has shown a rapid increase with occurrence at an earlier age and a tendency to continue into adulthood. Data from an adolescent nonclinical sample provides us more information related to depressive symptoms as potential risk factors. The current study was designed to two objectives: 1) to analyze the reliability and validity the BDI-II among Korean adolescents and 2) to evaluate the factorial structure in a Korean nonclinical adolescent sample. METHODS: The participants included 1072 adolescent boys and girls. We assessed the internal consistency, corrected item-total correlation, and the convergent validity of the BDI-II. We also performed confirmatory factor analyses to determine the internal structure of the BDI-II for Korean adolescents using Mplus 6.1. RESULTS: The Cronbach's alpha for the BDI-II total score was 0.89. The correlation between the BDI-II and the PHQ-9 was strong (r=0.75), and anxiety-related measures were 0.68 and 0.71, which were also in the high range. Among the five different factor structures, the modified three-factor model demonstrated the best overall fit. CONCLUSION: The BDI-II is a reliable tool for measuring the severity of depressive symptoms in Korean adolescents. Therefore, the findings can provide basic information for examining the prevalence rate, intervention strategies for depression in adolescents.

Reliability and Validity of the Korean Version of the Beck Hopelessness Scale / 신경정신의학

OBJECTIVES: The Beck Hopelessness Scale (BHS) is a 20-item scale for measuring the extent of negative attitudes about the future. Previous studies repeatedly demonstrated clinical utility of BHS, particularly for predicting suicide. The aim of this study is to examine the reliability and validity of the Korean version of the Beck Hopelessness Scale (K-BHS), which is commonly used for measuring hopelessness. METHODS: The study sample consisted of 1022 community-dwelling general adults from 4 regional areas (i.e., Seoul, Gyeonggi, Cheongju, and Jinju) across South Korea. They completed the K-BHS, Patient Health Questionnaire-9, Spielberger State-Trait Anxiety Inventory, and Adult ADHD Self-Report Scale. RESULTS: The Cronbach's alpha value for the K-BHS was 0.85. Test-retest reliability at average 7.2 days was 0.86. Discriminant validity was determined. Confirmatory factor analysis supported a three factor model. CONCLUSION: The K-BHS demonstrated satisfactory reliability and validity and therefore may be useful in measuring the construct of hopelessness and in clinical suicide risk assessments. Further studies are needed in order to explore the psychometric features and correlates of this scale among clinical populations.

Temperament and Character Traits of Adolescents by Ego Resilience and Ego Control Level

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of present study is to identify the differences between temperament and character traits among adolescents classified by ego resilience and ego control level. METHODS: A Junior Temperament and Character Inventory (TCI) was performed on participants, and a California Child Q-Test (CCQ) was tested for by the parents of the adolescent participants. RESULTS: The result of the factor analysis and discriminant analysis show that the participants are classified into three different groups based on CCQ score and item response patterns. The three groups are named the ego resilience group, the undercontrolled group, and the overcontrolled group. The ego resilience group indicates that they have a high level of interest and curiosity but yet they are not easily tempered. Moreover, they behave proactively with a reasonable level of responsibility in order to improve themselves. In contrast, among the undercontrolled group, it is observed that, although the group shows even higher level of interest, curiosity and honesty, they are careless, more impulsive, and have a lack of delayed gratification and shame. CONCLUSION: The overcontrolled group shows that they are the most cautious and reflective group among the three but also show emotional instability such as strong criticism and passive-aggressiveness. In this study, implications and limitations are discussed.