A 3-Year Follow-Up Study of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder among North Korean Defectors.
- Author:
Chang Hyung HONG
1
;
Jong Ja YOO
;
Young A CHO
;
Jinsup EOM
;
Hyun Ji KU
;
Seung Won SEO
;
Eun Mi AHN
;
Sung Kil MIN
;
Woo Taek JEON
Author Information
1. Department of Psychiatry, College of Medicine, Yonsei University, Seoul, Korea.
- Publication Type:Original Article
- Keywords:
North Korean defectors;
Partial PTSD;
Full PTSD;
Follow-up study;
Traumatic event
- MeSH:
Follow-Up Studies*;
Korea;
Prevalence;
Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic*
- From:Journal of Korean Neuropsychiatric Association
2006;45(1):49-56
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:Korean
-
Abstract:
OBJECTIVE: This study is a follow-up of a first survey of 200 North Korean defectors who entered South Korea in 2001. The purpose of this study is to examine changes in the current prevalence of partial PTSD and full PTSD after 3 years and to evaluate related factors. METHODS: This study followed up on 151 of the 200 North Korean defectors from our first survey. 20 interviewers conducted face-to-face interviews and assisted defectors in completing a self-report assessment. The traumatic events which participants with chronic PTSD and delayed onset PTSD experienced were then examined. RESULTS: Over the 3 years, the current prevalence rate of partial PTSD was reduced from 31.8% to 5.3%, and the current prevalence rate of full PTSD was reduced from 27.2% to 4.0%. Of particular interest was that 88.8% of those diagnosed with full or partial PTSD in the first survey had recovered after 3 years. CONCLUSION: The current prevalence rate of partial and full PTSD rapidly decreased during 3 years.
