Objective: Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is highly prevalent among North Korean defectors. This scoping review aimed to appraise the measurement properties of patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) that assess PTSD among North Korean defectors. Methods: A systematic search was conducted using Research Information Sharing Service, ScienceON, PubMed, and Embase from their inception up to September 15, 2022. Each measurement properties of the included PROMs were evaluated using COnsensus-based Standards for the selection of health status Measurement INstruments (COSMIN) methodology. First, the methodological quality of each study on measurement properties was evaluated using the COSMIN Risk of Bias checklist. Second, the result of each single study on a measurement property was rated against the updated criteria for good measurement properties. Results: After screening the articles, nine instruments from 40 studies were included. Among these instruments, Impact of Event ScaleRevised was the most frequently used (13 studies [38.1%]), followed by the Trauma Scale for North Korean Refugees, PTSD Checklist, and Posttraumatic Diagnostic Scale. The theoretical basis of all PROMs was secure in terms of content validity. The most frequently tested characteristics in measurement properties for internal structure were internal consistency, criterion validity, and convergent validity. No study reported sufficient structural validity as confirmatory factor analysis results with a model fit. Conclusion There is insufficient evidence to support the recommendation of a specific PROM for use among North Korean defectors with PTSD.

Objective: This study aimed to explore the relationship between suicidal ideation and specific trauma and social discrimination among North Korean defectors. Methods: A total of 448 North Korean defectors were recruited from online and offline communities and counseling centers. Participants provided sociodemographic and psychiatric history information via an online survey. Various assessment tools, including the Traumatic Event Checklist for North Korean Defectors, International Trauma Questionnaire, Experiences of Discrimination Scale, UCLA Loneliness Scale (short-form), and World Health Organization Quality of Life Instrument, Short Form (WHOQOL-BREF), were employed. Multiple logistic regression analysis was used to examine the association between suicidal ideation and different types of trauma and discrimination. Results: Among participants, 38.4% reported experiencing suicidal ideation. The most prevalent trauma was “unwanted separation from spouse, parent, or sibling” (69.4%), and the primary form of discrimination was “unfairness during employment” (35.7%). After adjusting for relevant variables, experiencing “extreme life-threatening hardship,” “unwanted separation from a child,” and “discrimination in income” significantly increased the likelihood of suicidal ideation. Importantly, unlike other refugee groups, interpersonal violence like torture or sexual abuse did not significantly contribute to suicidal ideation in this population. These findings highlight the unique vulnerabilities of North Korean defectors and suggest that income-related discrimination, unwanted separation from children, and life-threatening hardships are critical factors influencing suicidal ideation. Limitations such as recall biases and the cross-sectional nature of the data should be acknowledged. Conclusion This study underscores the need for tailored psychiatric support for North Korean defectors, recognizing their distinctive needs compared to other refugee populations.

Objective: This study aimed to explore the relationship between suicidal ideation and specific trauma and social discrimination among North Korean defectors. Methods: A total of 448 North Korean defectors were recruited from online and offline communities and counseling centers. Participants provided sociodemographic and psychiatric history information via an online survey. Various assessment tools, including the Traumatic Event Checklist for North Korean Defectors, International Trauma Questionnaire, Experiences of Discrimination Scale, UCLA Loneliness Scale (short-form), and World Health Organization Quality of Life Instrument, Short Form (WHOQOL-BREF), were employed. Multiple logistic regression analysis was used to examine the association between suicidal ideation and different types of trauma and discrimination. Results: Among participants, 38.4% reported experiencing suicidal ideation. The most prevalent trauma was “unwanted separation from spouse, parent, or sibling” (69.4%), and the primary form of discrimination was “unfairness during employment” (35.7%). After adjusting for relevant variables, experiencing “extreme life-threatening hardship,” “unwanted separation from a child,” and “discrimination in income” significantly increased the likelihood of suicidal ideation. Importantly, unlike other refugee groups, interpersonal violence like torture or sexual abuse did not significantly contribute to suicidal ideation in this population. These findings highlight the unique vulnerabilities of North Korean defectors and suggest that income-related discrimination, unwanted separation from children, and life-threatening hardships are critical factors influencing suicidal ideation. Limitations such as recall biases and the cross-sectional nature of the data should be acknowledged. Conclusion This study underscores the need for tailored psychiatric support for North Korean defectors, recognizing their distinctive needs compared to other refugee populations.

Objective: This study aimed to explore the relationship between suicidal ideation and specific trauma and social discrimination among North Korean defectors. Methods: A total of 448 North Korean defectors were recruited from online and offline communities and counseling centers. Participants provided sociodemographic and psychiatric history information via an online survey. Various assessment tools, including the Traumatic Event Checklist for North Korean Defectors, International Trauma Questionnaire, Experiences of Discrimination Scale, UCLA Loneliness Scale (short-form), and World Health Organization Quality of Life Instrument, Short Form (WHOQOL-BREF), were employed. Multiple logistic regression analysis was used to examine the association between suicidal ideation and different types of trauma and discrimination. Results: Among participants, 38.4% reported experiencing suicidal ideation. The most prevalent trauma was “unwanted separation from spouse, parent, or sibling” (69.4%), and the primary form of discrimination was “unfairness during employment” (35.7%). After adjusting for relevant variables, experiencing “extreme life-threatening hardship,” “unwanted separation from a child,” and “discrimination in income” significantly increased the likelihood of suicidal ideation. Importantly, unlike other refugee groups, interpersonal violence like torture or sexual abuse did not significantly contribute to suicidal ideation in this population. These findings highlight the unique vulnerabilities of North Korean defectors and suggest that income-related discrimination, unwanted separation from children, and life-threatening hardships are critical factors influencing suicidal ideation. Limitations such as recall biases and the cross-sectional nature of the data should be acknowledged. Conclusion This study underscores the need for tailored psychiatric support for North Korean defectors, recognizing their distinctive needs compared to other refugee populations.

Objective: This study aimed to explore the relationship between suicidal ideation and specific trauma and social discrimination among North Korean defectors. Methods: A total of 448 North Korean defectors were recruited from online and offline communities and counseling centers. Participants provided sociodemographic and psychiatric history information via an online survey. Various assessment tools, including the Traumatic Event Checklist for North Korean Defectors, International Trauma Questionnaire, Experiences of Discrimination Scale, UCLA Loneliness Scale (short-form), and World Health Organization Quality of Life Instrument, Short Form (WHOQOL-BREF), were employed. Multiple logistic regression analysis was used to examine the association between suicidal ideation and different types of trauma and discrimination. Results: Among participants, 38.4% reported experiencing suicidal ideation. The most prevalent trauma was “unwanted separation from spouse, parent, or sibling” (69.4%), and the primary form of discrimination was “unfairness during employment” (35.7%). After adjusting for relevant variables, experiencing “extreme life-threatening hardship,” “unwanted separation from a child,” and “discrimination in income” significantly increased the likelihood of suicidal ideation. Importantly, unlike other refugee groups, interpersonal violence like torture or sexual abuse did not significantly contribute to suicidal ideation in this population. These findings highlight the unique vulnerabilities of North Korean defectors and suggest that income-related discrimination, unwanted separation from children, and life-threatening hardships are critical factors influencing suicidal ideation. Limitations such as recall biases and the cross-sectional nature of the data should be acknowledged. Conclusion This study underscores the need for tailored psychiatric support for North Korean defectors, recognizing their distinctive needs compared to other refugee populations.

Objective: This study aimed to explore the relationship between suicidal ideation and specific trauma and social discrimination among North Korean defectors. Methods: A total of 448 North Korean defectors were recruited from online and offline communities and counseling centers. Participants provided sociodemographic and psychiatric history information via an online survey. Various assessment tools, including the Traumatic Event Checklist for North Korean Defectors, International Trauma Questionnaire, Experiences of Discrimination Scale, UCLA Loneliness Scale (short-form), and World Health Organization Quality of Life Instrument, Short Form (WHOQOL-BREF), were employed. Multiple logistic regression analysis was used to examine the association between suicidal ideation and different types of trauma and discrimination. Results: Among participants, 38.4% reported experiencing suicidal ideation. The most prevalent trauma was “unwanted separation from spouse, parent, or sibling” (69.4%), and the primary form of discrimination was “unfairness during employment” (35.7%). After adjusting for relevant variables, experiencing “extreme life-threatening hardship,” “unwanted separation from a child,” and “discrimination in income” significantly increased the likelihood of suicidal ideation. Importantly, unlike other refugee groups, interpersonal violence like torture or sexual abuse did not significantly contribute to suicidal ideation in this population. These findings highlight the unique vulnerabilities of North Korean defectors and suggest that income-related discrimination, unwanted separation from children, and life-threatening hardships are critical factors influencing suicidal ideation. Limitations such as recall biases and the cross-sectional nature of the data should be acknowledged. Conclusion This study underscores the need for tailored psychiatric support for North Korean defectors, recognizing their distinctive needs compared to other refugee populations.