The Relationship between Childhood Trauma Experience and Parent-Adolescent Reports of Problem Behavior : Comparison of Delinquent and General Adolescent

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to investigate correlation of childhood trauma experience and parent-adolescents' assessment reports on problem behavior through comparison of delinquent and general adolescents. METHODS: First, delinquent adolescents and general adolescents were asked to complete the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire (CTQ). Then, 71 pairs of delinq uent adolescents and their parents and 133 pairs of general adolescents and their parents were asked to complete the Korean Youth Self-Report (K-YSR) and the Korean Child Behavior Checklist (K-CBCL). Finally, responses from 410 people were used for the analysis. RESULTS: First, childhood trauma experience score was significantly higher for delinquent adolescents, compared to general adolescents. Second, t-test showed a greater difference between K-YRS and K-CBCL for general adolescents than for delinquent adolescents. Third, in the case of delinquent adolescents, the correlation analysis of K-YSR filled out by adolescents and K-CBCL filled out by parents showed significant correlation in certain areas, including social immaturity, delinquent behaviors, internalization issues, and externalization issues. On the other hand, the correlation analysis of K-YSR and K-CBCL of general adolescents showed significant correlation in all sub-categories. Fourth, the correlation analysis of delinquent adolescents' CTQ and K-YSR showed minimal yet significant correlation in social adaptation, withdrawing, depression/anxiety, and delinquent/aggressive behaviors, however, no correlation was observed between CTQ and K-CBCL. The correlation analysis of general adolescents' CTQ and K-YSR, and CTQ and K-CBCL showed significant correlation in all sub-categories, although the degree of correlation varied. CONCLUSION: Delinquent adolescents had more childhood traumatic experiences. However, general adolescents' childhood traumatic experiences showed minimal yet significant correlation with various adaptation indicators and their parents responded in a similar way, indicating that general adolescents with childhood traumatic experiences need close care and attention even if they have not shown prominent delinquent behaviors.

The Factors Affecting the Development of National Identity as South Korean in North Korean Refugees Living in South Korea

OBJECTIVE: This study aims to observe the factors that influence the development of national identity of North Korean refugees who have resettled in South Korea. METHODS: The study population was comprised of 500 North Korean refugees who immigrated to South Korea in 2007. The variables measured national identity as South Korean, a scale for discrimination perceived during daily life, a social for supporting social network, a for childhood trauma experience, traumatic experiences in North Korea, and traumatic experiences during the escape process. Factor analysis was conducted on the result from the scale for national identity as South Korean which produced 4 factors including national consciousness, positive emotions, positive values, and negative values. Multiple regression was done to identify how variables such as demographic data, discrimination, social network, and past trauma had influenced each of 4 factors. RESULTS: National identity was negatively related by traumatic experience during childhood, perceived discrimination, and positively influenced by social networks. Positive emotion was related negatively to education level in North Korea and perceived discrimination, but positively related to traumatic experiences in North Korea. Negative value was related positively age and perceived discrimination but negatively related to supporting social network. CONCLUSION: The results of this study suggests that promoting social networks, decreasing discrimination and healing past traumas were important factors for North Korean refugees in South Korea to facilitate a new national identity as a South Korean.