Citation

Seo Y, 안하얀, Lee J, 조화진. Korean J. Counsel. Psychotherapy 2012; 24(3): 671-701.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2012)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

The primary purpose of this study was to empirically examine the types and prevalence rates of traumatic events in a nationwide sample of South Koreans (N = 968). In doing so, online and offline surveys were employed. We also investigated the types of events which could lead to posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Consensual qualitative research (CQR) methods identified a total of 46 discrete traumatic events, including 26 new ones (e.g., failure or hardship in schoolwork, business and employment, losing face in a group) which were not revealed in previous research. Most respondents (72%) reported having experienced a traumatic event in their lifetime, the most common event reported being traffic accident. Women reported more traumatic events and were more likely to meet criteria for PTSD than did men. Lifetime exposure to relationship failures as well as assaultive violence including sexual assault were associated with higher posttraumatic stress disorder symptoms. Implications for counseling practice and research are discussed.