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Influence of Trauma Experiences and Social Adjustment on Health-related Quality of Life in North Korean Defectors

Article information

Res Community Public Health Nurs. 2018;29(4):488-498
Publication date (electronic) : 2018 December 26
doi : https://doi.org/10.12799/jkachn.2018.29.4.488
Eun Joo Jo1orcid_icon, Hyun Mee Cho2orcid_icon, Eun Joung Choi3orcid_icon
1Assistant Professor, College of Nursing, Kosin University, Busan, Korea.
2Doctoral Student, College of Nursing, Kosin University, Busan, Korea.
3Associate Professor, College of Nursing, Kosin University, Busan, Korea.
Corresponding author: Choi, Eun Joung. College of Nursing, Kosin University, 262 Gamcheon-ro, Seo-gu, Busan 49267, Korea. Tel: +82-51-990-3977, Fax: +82-51-990-3970, jacob7410@kosin.ac.kr
Received 2018 May 17; Revised 2018 August 22; Accepted 2018 October 07.

Abstract

Purpose

This study was conducted to identify the influence of trauma experiences and social adjustment on health-related quality of life in North Korean defectors.

Methods

The subjects were 117 North Korean defectors living in B and Y city. The data were collected from September 1 to September 20, 2014, and analyzed by the SPSS/WIN 18.0 program.

Results

Significant differences were found in the health-related quality of life with respect to the subjects' education, marriage status, types of dwelling, family types, duration of residence in South Korea, jobs in South Korea and in North Korea, families left in North Korea or other surrounding countries, and subjective health status. Health-related quality of life is negatively related to trauma experiences during escape from North Korea and during their life in South Korea. Health-related quality of life positively is related to social adjustment. The meaningful variables which influenced the subjects'health-related quality include social adjustment, job in South Korea, job in North Korea, current family structure, and trauma experiences in South Korea. Total explanatory power of these factors for health-related quality in North Korean Defectors is 43.0% and social adjustment is the most influential factor.

Conclusion

Therefore, in order to enhance health-related quality of life in North Korean defectors, it is necessary for them to increase social adjustment and decrease trauma experiences. In addition, methods are needed to provide job opportunities, better education and family services for North Korean defectors.

Keywords: Psychological trauma; Social adjustment; Quality of life; Democratic people's Republic of Korea

References

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Korean Academy of Community Health Nursing

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Table 1

Health-related Quality of Life Degree according to the Characteristics of Subjects (N=117)

Table 1

Table 2

Trauma Experience, Social Adjustment and Health-related Quality of Life (N=117)

Table 2

Table 3

Correlation among Trauma Experience, Social Adjustment and Health-related Quality of Life (N=117)

Table 3

Table 4

Factors Influencing Health-related Quality of Life (N=117)

Table 4

Dummy Variable=South Korea occupation (profession=1, student, housewife, a salaried person, a daily worker, etc=0), North Korea occupation (clerk=1, student, soldier, cooperative farm, etc.=0), Family type (couple only=1, alone, couples and children, me and my children=0).