Hyun Jeong Park | 3 Articles |
PURPOSE
The purpose of the study was to evaluate the physical and psychological health status of North Korean defector children and identify associated factors. METHODS The participants in the study were 103 children ranging in age from 7 to 14 years old. Physical health status was evaluated through height and weight measurements as well as clinical laboratory results. Psychological health status was assessed using structured survey interviews. Data were analyzed utilizing Pearson correlation coefficients, t-test, ANOVA, and descriptive statistics. RESULTS On arrival in South Korea, 19% of the children did not meet the child growth standards of South Koreans for height and 15% for weight. However, twelve weeks after, these percentages had decreased significantly. It found that 38.5% of children presented mild posttraumatic reaction and 40.4% presented moderate reaction. Scores for externalizing and internalizing behavior problems were 0.38+/-0.30 and 0.59+/-0.36 respectively. Posttraumatic reaction was higher in girls (t=0.41, p=.03), and boys showed higher externalizing problems (t=2.04, p=.04). Externalizing problems were correlated with gender and internalizing problems were associated with posttraumatic reactions and externalizing problems. CONCLUSION The findings indicate that North Korean defector children need timely developmental assessments and tailored intervention programs to meet child growth standards need to be developed. Citations Citations to this article as recorded by
PURPOSE
The study was conducted to explore the parenting experience of mothers who have defected from North Korean. METHODS Nineteen mothers who defected from North Korean were recruited in Hanawon and data were collected through face-to-face interviews. Grounded theory methodology developed by Strauss and Corbin (1998) was adapted for theoretical sampling and analysis. Interviews were recorded with consent and transcribed verbatim. RESULTS The core category was discovered to be 'pursuing positive parenting'. Phenomenon was identified as 'acting out of frustration' and this series of processes was categorized as having four stages: 'harsh reality', 'moving forward', 'seeking transition' and 'internalization'. CONCLUSION The results indicate that their parenting experiences were in a transition process and, thus, it is critical to develop positive parenting intervention programs as a way to promote the empowerment of these mothers in parenting to help them support themselves and their children. Citations Citations to this article as recorded by
PURPOSE
The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationships between parenting behavior, parenting efficacy, adaptation stress and PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder) among mothers who have defected from North Korean. METHODS A descriptive study was conducted to illustrate the parenting behavior, parenting efficacy, adaptation stress and PTSD and report the relationships among them. Data were collected between August and November of 2009 in Hanawon and 105 mothers who met eligibility criteria participated in the study. RESULTS Ignorant/controlling parenting behavior of parenting showed the highest score in our study. The level of parenting efficacy was 2.72+/-0.36 and adaptation stress level was 3.35+/-0.47 showing perceived hostility the highest and homesickness the lowest. Participants with moderate to severe PTSD accounted for 79.5% of the mothers, and 75% of them reported symptoms for 3 months or more. Authoritative parenting behavior showed negative relationships with parenting efficacy, cultural crisis and fear, adaptation stress and PTSD. CONCLUSION Mothers who have defected from showed negative parenting behaviors and high adaptation stress level and PTSD while parenting efficacy was high. These findings indicate that parenting intervention programs which can guide these mothers towards positive parenting behaviors need to be developed. Citations Citations to this article as recorded by
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