Modes of Anger Expression in Relation to Depression and Somatization / 신경정신의학

OBJECTIVES: In previous studies, significant correlations between depression or somatization and the mode of anger expression were reported. However few studies were done in psychiatric patients, while some evidences were found that anger expression as well as anger suppression were related to development of somatization. This study aimed to investigate the relationship of the state-trait anger and the mode of anger expression to depression and somatization in psychiatiric patients. METHODS: The depression and somatization questionnaire of SCL-90-R and Korean Adaptation of the State-Trait Anger Expression Inventory were administered to 53 psychiatric patients and 59 normals. The relationship of anger to depression and somatization was analyzed by correlation and regression analyses. RESULTS: In comparison with the normal control group, the psychiatric patient group showed significant differences on trait anger temperament but no significant differences on other anger variables. In regression analysis, the anger-in score was related to depression and somatization. However, the degree of explanatory power was higher in depression than in somatization. In the case of analyzing the state-trait anger, anger-in was significant predictor variable for depression in psychiatric patient group. CONCLUSION: These results suggested that anger-in is the important factor in the onset of depression and somatization. Rather than the relationship of anger-in and somatization, the relationship of anger-in and depression is higher; therefore the caution is necessary in the interpretation of previous studies. The relationship of anger-in to depression and somatization may have important implications for psychotherapy.

A Standardization Study of the Korean Version of Learning Disability Evaluation Scale / 신경정신의학

OBJECTIVES: This study was to develop the Korean version of Learning Disability Evaluation Scale(K-LDES), to examine the reliability and validity of it, and to establish the age norms of the K-LDES for assessing the specific learning disorder. METHODS: The normative group was composed of 720 children between the age of 6 and 12. The clinical group consisted of 27 children with learning disorder and 25 children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder accompanying learning problem(mean age=108.44month+/-6.60, mean FSIQ=108.61+/-13.47). The K-LDES as administered to teachers of the normative and clinical groups. The KEDI-WISC and the Basic Learning Test(BLT) were administerd to the clinical group. RESULTS: The reliability coefficients(Cronbach's alpha) of the K-LDES were ranged .92-.97 and the correlation coefficients between the K-LDES subscales were moderate to high. The subscales of K-LDES were significantly correlated with the subtests of KEDI-WISC and BLT. Principal component analysis with varimax rotation resulted five factors, which are similar to those of original LDES, strongly supporting the construct validity of the K-LDES. There was significant differences between the normal and the clinical groups on six subscales of K-LDES except arithmetic subscale, implying that the K-LDES is a more valid measure for assesing reading and writing disorders. The discriminant power of each items were calculated, and 71 of the 88 items discriminated significantly between the normal and the clinical groups. In order to establish norms of K-LDES for six age levels, the means and standard deviations of subscale raw scores for normative group were used to calculate subscale standard scores at a given age, and LQ was determined by adding 7 subscale standard scores and being converted standard score with a mean of 100 and a standard deviation of 15. CONCLUSION: K-LDES was found to be a reliable and valid instrument for screening specific learing disorder. The expectation is that K-LDES will be a useful teacher/mother rating measure for identifying learning disorder and providing information which may contribute to diagnosing and developing individualized educational program for identified problem areas.

Validity Test and Clinical Application of Computerized Standard Progressive Matrices in Korean Patients with Mental Disorders / 신경정신의학

OBJECTIVE: We examined the difference between IQ(Intelligence Quotient) estimated from computerized Standard Progressive Matrices(SPM) score(SPM IQ) and Korean-Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale(KWAIS) IQ(KWAIS IQ) in Korean patients with mental disorders in order to test the validity of SPM as a brief nonverbal intelligence test, and to find the groups that need standardization. And, we studied the method to predict KWAIS IQ more precisely from SPM test. METHODS: SPM test in Vienna test system was administered to 166 Korean patients with mental disorders. The degree of consistency and Pearson's correlation coefficient between SPM IQ and KWAIS IQ in total subjects and groups by sex, age, education, and clinical diagnosis were investigated. And, we obtained a regression equation to predict KWAIS IQ from SPM score. RESULTS: In total subjects, Pearson's correlation coefficient between SPM IQ and KWAIS IQ was as high as 0.704, and the percent of patients whose absolute value of difference between SPM IQ and KWAIS IQ is equal to or less than 10 was 54.8%. The degree of consistency between SPM IQ and KWAIS IQ was influenced by age and educational level. SPM IQ were higher than KWAIS IQ in younger age and lower education group. SPM IQ were lower than KWAIS IQ in older age and higher education group. The regression equation from SPM score, age, and education years predicted KWAIS IQ more correctly. CONCLUSION: The Computerized Standard Progressive Matrices test is validated and can be used usefully as a brief nonverbal intelligence test in patients with mental disorders. In order to provide more precise evaluation, standardized data should be prepared for age group 16 to 25 and age group 26 to 35 with lower educational level.