Citation

김연희, 조영아, Jeon W. Unific. Policy Stud. 2010; 19(2): 141-174.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2010)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

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Abstract

The purposes of this study were to investigate the prevalence rates of PTSD, and depression and anxiety among the North Koreans arrived in the South in 2007, and to identify factors influencing their mental health condition. The relationships between socio-demographic factors and trauma exposure level, and mental health condition were examined. The prevalence rates of PTSD, and depression and anxiety were 5% and 48%,respectively. The mental health prevalence rates in the current study subjects were lower than those of the earlier arrivals reported in the previous studies, which suggests a conclusion that recent arrivals are in better mental health conditions than those who arrived 5-7 years earlier. The findings of this study show that women are more susceptible to mental health problems. Trauma exposure was related with poor mental health conditions and atrocious experiences such as incarceration, torture, being a victim of human trafficking,arrest and extradition to N. Korea, loss of family members were attributable to adverse mental health conditions. Mental health problems were associated with negative self-evaluation of ability to work and intent to work, which may result in unemployment and dependence on the long run. The implications of the study findings for mental health service strategy and the resettlement policies for the mental health high risk groups were discussed at the conclusion.