Hyun-Sil Kim

The impact of family violence, family functioning, and parental partner dynamics on Korean juvenile delinquency.

The present study was aimed at determining the family factors related to juvenile delinquency and identifying the effect of family violence, family functioning, parental partner dynamics, and adolescents’ personality on delinquent behavior among Korean adolescents. A cross-sectional study was performed using an anonymous, self-reporting questionnaire. The subjects for this study consisted of 1,943 Korean adolescents, including 1,236 students and 707 juvenile delinquents, using a proportional stratified random sampling method. Compared to student adolescents, delinquent adolescents perceived their parents as having a higher level of dysfunctional parental partner dynamics, poorer family functioning, and a higher level of family violence. Furthermore, delinquent adolescents were more likely to report a greater incidence of antisocial personality tendencies, a higher level of psychosomatic symptoms and frustration, and higher frequencies of delinquent behavior compared to student adolescents. Antisocial personality tendency and gender had the largest significant total effects on delinquent behavior, followed by family violence, psychosomatic symptoms, family functioning, parental partner dynamics and need frustration. On the other hand, family functioning and parental partner dynamics had the largest indirect effect on delinquent behavior. Gender, antisocial personality tendency, and family violence, in that order, had the largest direct effects on delinquent behavior. In conclusion, it is apparent from the results of the present study that delinquent Korean adolescents perceived and experienced significantly more family dysfunction, family violence, and poor parental partner dynamics than did non-delinquents.

Social integration and heath policy issues for international marriage migrant women in South Korea.

Until very recently, Korea was largely considered to be a homogenous, racially intolerant country that had little or no experience with large-scale immigration. However, this paradigm is in the process of changing. For the first time in the countrys history, large numbers of foreigners are immigrating to work and live in Korea, and many are seeking to become Koreans. In particular, international marriage migrations, especially those of women entering the country through marriages to Korean men, have become common in South Korea. This has given rise to serious challenges within the country. Although conventional ideologies portray Korea as a country of a single race, culture, and language, the growing number of immigrants has disrupted this homogenous monoculture. Indeed, there are signs that Korea has reached a turning point, with an increasingly permanent and visible migrant population challenging the countrys national identity. This article explores the statistics and trends related to international marriage migrant women in South Korea, particularly in terms of their social insecurities and health-related problems. In addition, some aspects of Korean governmental policies for the social integration and health promotion of these women are examined, and some suggestions are made for ways in which public health nursing and nursing education may be changed in response to the current trends.

Cognitive Impairment, Behavioral Problems, and Mental Health in Institutionalized Korean Elders -An Eligibility Issue for Care Settings-

PURPOSEnThe purpose of this study was to identify the prevalence of cognitive impairment, behavioral problems, and the state of mental health for elderly Korean people who have been institutionalized.nnnMETHODSnA cross-sectional, nation-wide survey was performed using an anonymous questionnaire. The participants in this study were 2,521 institutionalized elderly Korean people. A proportional stratified random sampling method was employed.nnnRESULTSn1) Elders admitted to subacute hospitals and long term care (LTC) facilities showed a higher level of cognitive impairment compared to elders admitted to acute care hospitals. 2) Elders confined in LTC facilities showed a higher level of behavioral problems compared to elders in acute or subacute hospitals. 3) Elders admitted to subacute hospitals and LTC facilities showed more serious mental health problems, such as depression or suicidal ideation, compared to elders in acute care hospitals.nnnCONCLUSIONnThe results of this study indicate that the severity of cognitive-behavioral or mental health problems do not match well with type of care setting. Therefore, health personnel working with elderly people should be provided guidance on detection and management of cognitive-behavioral and mental health problems. The necessity of a decision support system for eligibility and placement in long-term care is also discussed.

The Influence of Psychosomatic Symptoms, Physical and Sexual Abuse, and Coping Strategies on Delinquent Behavior Among Korean Adolescents

PURPOSEnThis cross-sectional study was undertaken to examine the contributing factors related to juvenile delinquency, as well as to identify the effect of psychosomatic symptoms, physical abuse, sexual abuse, and coping strategies on delinquent behavior among Korean adolescents.nnnMETHODSnTo investigate the research problem, 2,146 adolescents, including 1,350 student adolescents and 796 delinquent adolescents, were assessed using a cross-sectional descriptive design study via anonymous, self-reporting questionnaires. Almost all research variables were measured using the Mental Health Questionnaire for Korean Adolescents.nnnRESULTSnOur results revealed that delinquent adolescents showed a greater incidence of psychosomatic symptoms, higher levels of physical and sexual abuse, and a higher level of less effective coping strategies compared with student adolescents. Our path analysis revealed that the likelihood of delinquent behavior among adolescents appeared to be influenced mainly by sexual abuse, Psychosomatic Symptoms I, and physical abuse, with these three variables having the highest total effect.nnnCONCLUSIONSnThis study confirms the relationships previously identified among stress, somatic complaints, and ineffective coping. In addition, we demonstrated that these relationships cover a wide spectrum, ranging from psychosomatic symptoms to behavioral problems. Further implications of the results and research limitation were discussed.

Alcohol Use and Delinquent Behavior among Korean Adolescents

&NA; This study was aimed to assess the differences between delinquents and non‐delinquents in research variables, and to identify the influence of each of these variables on alcohol use and delinquent behavior among Korean adolescents. Data were collected over a 3‐month period, from June 2005 to September 2005, using anonymous, self‐reporting questionnaires. The participants in this cross‐sectional study consisted of 2,146 adolescents, including 1,350 non‐delinquents and 796 delinquent adolescents. Compared with non‐delinquents, delinquent adolescents had higher levels of dysfunctional family dynamics and were more likely to report greater incidence of antisocial personality tendencies, and psychosomatic symptoms, and higher incidence of depression, and a higher level of aggressive impulsiveness. Delinquent adolescents also had higher incidences of alcohol use than did non‐delinquents. In the path analysis, aggressive impulsiveness (0.318), antisocial personality tendency (0.236), and alcohol use (0.155) had the most significant total effects on delinquent behavior. Most importantly, our findings suggest the need for different intervention programs targeting delinquent adolescents that either engage in or abstain from the use of substances.

Effect of a musical instrument performance program on emotional intelligence, anxiety, and aggression in Korean elementary school children:

The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of a musical instrument performance program on emotional intelligence, anxiety, and aggression in Korean elementary school children. A quasi-experimental study design was employed, in which the experimental group (n = 30) received a weekly group musical instrument performance class with a regular music class, and the control group (n = 30) received only a regular music class that is part of the elementary school curriculum. We measured emotional intelligence, anxiety, and aggression at the beginning and end of the 24-week intervention using the Emotional Intelligence Scale, the Trait Anxiety Inventory, and the Aggression Scale. The musical instrument performance program improved the ability to perceive emotions, and reduced physical and verbal aggression, but had no statistically significant effect on the level of total emotional intelligence, anxiety, or aggression.

Mental Health in Non-Korean Women Residing in South Korea Following Marriage to Korean Men: Literature Review

Introduction: The objectives of this literature review are to identify the background of marriage migration, social insecurities, and mental health issues in non-Korean women residing in South Korea following marriage to Korean men. In addition, comparison is made with native Korean women and some aspects of Korean governmental policies for the social integration and health promotion of these women are discussed.

The Effect of a Music Intervention Program on Self-Esteem and Aggression in Korean Male Middle School Students with Maladjustment Problems

Research Objectives: The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of musical instrument performance on self-esteem and aggression in Korean male middle school students with maladjustment problems.