Addictive Behaviors, Depression, and Quality of Life among Korean Fishermen.

This study investigated addictive behaviors (alcohol dependence and gambling tendencies), depression, and quality of life (QoL) among Korean fishermen in the Jeju Island region, Korea. The study utilized the Alcohol Use Disorder Identification Test-Korean version, the Korean version of the Canadian Problem Gambling Index, the Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale, and the Korean version of the World Health Organization QOL-BREF to measure the study variables. The results showed that 18.1% of the fishermen had alcohol dependence and 9.9% abused alcohol, 13.6% were categorized as problem gamblers, 15.2% were moderate risk gamblers, and 14.4% were low-risk gamblers; 25.1% and 20.8% suffered from severe and mild depression, respectively. The mean QoL score was 3.13 ± 0.56, and the psychological health section scored the highest. The degree of alcohol dependence varied by age, education level, and job satisfaction; gambling tendency varied by age, job position, and job satisfaction; depression varied by religion and job satisfaction; QoL varied by religion and job satisfaction. Alcohol dependence, gambling tendency, and depression were significantly negatively correlated with QoL. Specifically, higher levels of alcohol dependence were associated with lower QoL scores in the subcategories of physical health and psychological health, while higher levels of gambling tendencies were associated with lower QoL scores in the subcategories of physical health, psychological health, social relationships, and general subcategories. Finally, higher levels of depression were associated with lower QoL scores across all five subcategories. Overall, participants exhibited remarkably elevated levels of alcohol dependence, gambling tendencies, and depression, and lower QoL compared with the general population. Further efforts are required to increase Korean fishermen's job satisfaction to improve these problems. In addition, public health policies must address and promote fishermen's QoL.

The Mediating Role of Spirituality on Depression, Alcohol Use Disorder, and Problem Gambling Among Korean College Students: A Multiple-Mediation Analysis.

ABSTRACT: Excessive alcohol use and gambling problems among Korean college students in Korea have been recognized as significant public health issues. The purpose of this study was to identify the direct, indirect, and total influence of depression on alcohol use disorder and problem gambling to determine relative magnitudes of the specific mediating effects of spirituality. A cross-sectional correlational survey was conducted in South Korea with 239 college students. Study variables included the Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale, a Spirituality Scale for Koreans, the Alcohol Consumption Questions, and the Korean version of the Canadian Problem Gambling Severity Index. Multiple-mediation analyses were performed. The results found that depression has a negative effect on each of the six subgroups of spirituality. In terms of the effects of spirituality on alcohol use disorder and problem gambling, spirituality was found to have a positive effect only on alcohol use disorder. The relationship between depression and those two addictive behaviors was significantly mediated by spirituality. Bootstrapping revealed that transcendence and connectedness were significantly mediating the relationship between depression and alcohol use disorder. For problem gambling, compassion and connectedness were found to be mediators affecting the relationship between depression and problem gambling. The finding suggests that spirituality's subscales affect two specific addiction problems in different ways. College students' excessive drinking and problem gambling can be prevented by developing and applying an intervention program that strengthens the connectedness of spirituality's subscales.

Prevalence of distorted body image in young Koreans and its association with age, sex, body weight status, and disordered eating behaviors.

PURPOSE: To define the prevalence of distorted body image in 10-24-year-old Koreans and determine its relationship with sex, age, body weight status, and disordered eating behaviors. METHODS: A total of 3,227 young Koreans were recruited from elementary, middle, and high schools, as well as from universities. The participants completed a self-reported questionnaire on body image, eating behaviors (Eating Attitude Test-26), and body weight status. RESULTS: The prevalence of a distorted body image in males was 49.7% and that in females was 51.2%. Distorted body image was more frequent in adolescents (age, 10-17 years) than in young adults (age, 18-24 years). The highest prevalence (55.3%) was reported in female elementary school students (age, 10-12 years). Distorted body image was associated with disordered eating behaviors and abnormal body weight status. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that distorted body image is a public health problem, given its high frequency in young Koreans, and that it is associated with abnormal body weight status and disordered eating behaviors.

Factors associated with body image distortion in Korean adolescents.

PURPOSE: Body image incorporates cognitive and affective components as well as behaviors related to own body perception. This study evaluated the occurrence of body image distortion and its correlates in Korean adolescents. METHODS: In a school-based cross-sectional survey, a total of 2,117 adolescents were recruited. They filled out self-completing questionnaires on body image distortion, eating attitudes, and behaviors (Eating Attitude Test-26) and related factors. RESULTS: Body image distortions were found in 51.8 percent of adolescents. Univariate analyses showed that boys and older adolescents had higher rates of body image distortion. In the multivariate analyses, body image distortion was associated with high risk for eating disorders (odds ratio [OR] =1.69; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.11-2.58; P=0.015) and being over weight (OR =33.27; 95% CI 15.51-71.35; P<0.001) or obese (OR =9.37; 95% CI 5.06-17.34; P<0.001). CONCLUSION: These results suggest that body image distortion is relatively common in Korean adolescents, which has implications for adolescents at risk of developing eating disorders.

[Depression and suicidal ideation in elders with dementia].

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to investigate the prevalence of depression and suicidal ideation in elders with dementia and to identify factors influencing their suicidal ideation. METHODS: A descriptive and cross-sectional study was conducted from February to March, 2011. The participants were 298 older adults whose MMSE-KC score was 15 to 23. Collected Data were analyzed using t-test, ANOVA, Pearson correlation coefficients, and stepwise multiple regression. RESULTS: According to the Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS) classification criteria, 86.2% of the elders in this study exhibited depression (GDS=5), and 31.5% manifested severe depression. The mean score of suicidal ideation was 5.70 (range 0-20). The risk factors for suicidal ideation were depression, suicidal attempt experience, present location for care, and activities of daily living. CONCLUSION: The results of this study can be utilized in the development of suicide prevention programs for older adults with dementia. In particular, depression should be screened and managed to reduce suicidal ideation of older adults with dementia.

Impact of lower urinary tract symptoms and depression on health-related quality of life in older adults.

PURPOSE: We aimed primarily to investigate the level of health-related quality of life (HRQoL), lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS), and depression in older adults and secondly to identify the impact of LUTS and depression on HRQoL. METHODS: A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted from April to November 2010. Participants were recruited from five community senior centers serving community dwelling older adults in Jeju city. Data analysis was based on 171 respondents. A structured questionnaire was used to guide interviews; the data were collected including demographic characteristics, body mass index, adherence to regular exercise, comorbidities (hypertension, diabetes mellitus, and osteoarthritis), depression, urinary incontinence, LUTS (measured via the International Prostate Symptom Score [IPSS]), and HRQoL as assessed by use of the EQ-5D Index. Stepwise multiple regression analysis was used to test predictors of HRQoL. RESULTS: Eighteen percent (18.6%) of the respondents reported depressive symptoms. The mean LUTS score was 8.9 (IPSS range, 0 to 35). The severity of LUTS, was reported to be mild (score, 0 to 7) by 53% of the respondents, moderate (score, 8 to 19) by 34.5%, and severe (score, 20 to 35) by 12.5%. HRQoL was significantly predicted by depression (Partial R(2)=0.193, P<0.01) and LUTS (Partial R(2)=0.048, P=0.0047), and 24% of the variance in HRQoL was explained. CONCLUSIONS: LUTS and depression were the principal predictors of HRQoL in older adults.

[Factors influencing problem and pathological gambling in participants of horse race gambling].

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to examine risk factors for pathological gambling of horse race participants. METHODS: The participants, 508 horse race gamblers, completed the DSM-IV criteria of pathological gambling, Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT-K) and Symptom Checklist-47-Revision (SCL-47-R). Data were analyzed using t-test, χ²-test, Fisher's exact test, and logistic regression analyses. Behaviors related to horse racing, alcohol abuse, and mental health were analyzed between problem or pathological gamblers compared to recreational gamblers. RESULTS: The prevalence rates of recreational, problem, and pathological gambling were 36.6%, 39.4%, and 24.0%, respectively. Frequency of gambling (≥4/day), frequency of racetrack visiting (≥3/month), accompaniment (alone), and mental health (SCL-47-R scores) were all associated with increased risks of problem and pathological gambling. Expenditure on betting (≥200,000 won/day) and alcohol abuse (AUDIT-K 8-20 scores) group members had higher levels of gambling pathology than recreational gamblers. CONCLUSION: Problem and pathological gambling are highly associated with alcohol abuse and mental health disorders, suggesting that clinicians should carefully evaluate this population.

[Survey for community attitudes toward people with mental illness].

PURPOSE: This study was done to investigate community attitudes towards people with mental illness and to mental health services. METHODS: From August to October of 2006, 474 citizens of Siheung city were asked to give demographic data and their personal attitude toward mental illness and mental health services. RESULTS: The residents of Siheung community showed slightly negative attitudes, with a mean opinion about mental illness score of 93.38+/-17.29. According to the study, health professionals and citizens showed a positive attitude to the establishment of day care centers and residential facilities (62.2% and 55.4% respectively). Civil servants showed negative attitudes (40.4%). There were significant differences in attitudes according to gender, age, education level, occupation, religion, and income. Positive attitudes were found for health professionals and negative attitudes for civil servants. CONCLUSION: The results of this study indicate a need to provide public information and education for civil servants, and for those who have negative attitudes, in particular, men, people in the younger age group, who have lower education levels, who are Buddhists, monthly renters, who have a monthly income below 1 million won, who have no children and no experience with people who have a mental illness.

Prevalence and Correlates of Depressive Symptoms among North Korean Defectors Living in South Korea for More than One Year.

OBJECTIVE: This study examined the prevalence and correlates of depressive symptoms in North Korean defectors who have been living in South Korea for more than one year. METHODS: We used questionnaires developed by the authors to collect sociodemographic data in addition to the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CES-D), the Psychosocial Well-being Index to measure stress, and a social support scale. A total of 367 subjects were included in this study. RESULTS: The results showed that 30.5% of the men and 34.7% of the women reported depressive symptoms, and 33.1% of the men and 36.1% of the women exhibited signs of severe distress. Correlates of depressive symptoms were lack of occupation [odds ratio (OR)=2.198, 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.247-3.873], having escaped without family (OR=1.725, 95% CI, 1.006-2.959), and a poor subjective sense of health status (OR=3.111, 95% CI, 1.591-6.085). CONCLUSION: Continuing vocational training and career management, psychological support programs, and intensive physical health services are needed to improve the mental health of this population.

[The effect of a group therapy for the offenders of family violence].

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the contribution of group therapy to the improvement of self-esteem, anger, stress coping and communication of those who were violent in to family. METHODS: The research design was a one-group- pretest-posttest design in quasi-experimental research, and the period of this study was from March to October, 2005. Participants were 14 offenders who were ordered to be counseled according to 'the special exemption law for punishing domestic violence.' Group therapy was applied once a week for 8 weeks. Results were collected by using a questionnaire for self-esteem, anger, stress coping and communication. In the data analysis, Wilcoxon signed test with SPSS/WIN 12.0 program was used. RESULTS: The scores of self-esteem and communication showed statistically significant improvement from pre to post therapy. However, the scores of anger and stress coping were not significantly changed from pre to post therapy. CONCLUSION: This group therapy was effective in improving the self-esteem and communication in offenders of family violence.