Choong Rai Nho

Are Social Workers Safe in Their Workplace? South Korean Managers' Views

This study aims to identify the measures Korean social work administrators have implemented in their workplaces in order to ensure safe and comfortable environments for social workers. Here the authors present the results of an empirical study conducted in Metropolitan Seoul, South Korea, for which 240 administrators at social service agencies completed self- administered questionnaires. Of those participating in the study, 47.3% reported that they had been informed of incidents of client violence, including verbal, physical, and sexual attacks. In terms of the types of violence described by the participants, verbal and emotional violence were those most frequently cited. Despite the fact that line workers are exposed to various levels and types of client violence, the administrators lack a systematized approach to prevent such violence and have indeed taken minimal action to curtail it. Based on the results of this study, the authors have made recommendations to counter workplace violence.

Factors associated with perceived health among Korean adolescents.

This study examined the influences of personal, social, and environmental-structural factors on the perceived health of Korean adolescents. Using a two-stage generalized hierarchical logistic linear multilevel model, this study found that general high school enrollment, younger age, normal weight, and frequent exercise increased the likelihood of a positive self-perception of health. Higher levels of parental concern and quality of school life also contributed to the likelihood of students perceiving themselves as healthy. In contrast, psychological symptoms and negative self-esteem decreased the likelihood that students perceived themselves as healthy. The results provide implications for disease prevention and health promotion programs.

Linking Traumatic Childhood Experiences to the Physical Health of Korean Adolescents in Out-of-Home Care through Depression and Anxiety

The main purpose of this study is to assess whether the physical health of Korean adolescents in out-of-home care is affected directly by traumatic childhood experiences and/or indirectly through depression and anxiety. Study participants are 460 adolescents who are included in the first and second wave of the Panel Study on Korean Children in Out-of-Home Care. The data are analyzed using structural equation modeling. Our structural model finds no direct effects of traumatic experiences on physical health. Among the two types of trauma experiences, namely, family instability and violence experiences, only violence experiences affect physical health indirectly through depression and anxiety. Based on the results, practice implications for Korean adolescents in care are discussed.

How do physical health problems of Korean adolescents in out-of-home care affect their psychosocial adaptations? The mediation of bullying victimization experiences

•Children in out-of-home care are known to suffer from various physical health problems.•Poor health status would force the children in care into vulnerable positions of being bullied at school.•The study data are obtained from the Panel Study on Korean Children in Out-of-Home Care.•The study finds that physical health problems negatively affect self-esteem, depression and anxiety, and social withdrawal.•The influence of physical health problems is mediated on depression and anxiety through bullying victimization.