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.

Purpose: This study investigated how interprofessional education (IPE) related to medication for undergraduate healthcare students, including nursing students, has been designed and conducted. Furthermore, the outcomes of these IPE programs were evaluated. Methods: A scoping review was performed to understand the content and methods of IPE on medication for undergraduate healthcare students, including nursing students. A literature search was done using PubMed, Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature, Embase, Research Information Sharing Service, and Korean Nursing Database in English between January 2000 and December 2022. In total, 14 papers were selected and reviewed. Results: Eleven research studies were conducted on the implementation of one-time IPE on medication safety or errors. Among them, six studies focused on providing IPE to nursing students alongside medical and pharmacy students, while three studies targeted nursing and medical students, and two studies focused on nursing and pharmacy students. The most commonly employed educational method was simulation, which was utilized in 12 studies. All studies consistently reported a positive impact on attitudes toward IPE and effective communication. Additionally, five studies evaluating medication knowledge reported improvements in participants' understanding of drugs. Conclusion The effects of IPE related to medication for undergraduate nursing students have been confirmed. It is necessary to introduce IPE in the field of pharmacology.

Objective: Subjective cognitive decline (SCD) refers to self-reported memory loss despite normal cognitive function and is considered a preclinical stage of Alzheimer’s disease. This study aimed to examine the mediating effects of depression and Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (IADL) on the association between the scoring of Clinical Dementia Rating Scale-Sum of Boxes (CDR-SB) and Subjective Cognitive Decline Questionnaire (SCD-Q). Methods: A sample of 139 community-dwelling older adults aged 65–79 with normal cognitive function completed the SCD-Q, a comprehensive neuropsychological battery, and functional/psychiatric scales. We conducted 1) a correlation analysis between SCD-Q scores and other variables and 2) a path analysis to examine the mediating effects of depression and IADL on the relationship between CDR-SB and SCD-Q. Results: CDR-SB was found to be indirectly associated with SCD-Q, with depressive symptoms mediating this relationship. However, no direct association was observed between SCD-Q and CDR-SB. Additionally, IADL was not associated with SCD-Q and did not mediate the relationship between CDR-SB and SCD-Q. The model fit was acceptable (minimum discrepancy function by degrees of freedom divided [CMIN/DF]=1.585, root mean square error of approximation [RMSEA]=0.065, comparative fit index [CFI]=0.955, Tucker-Lewis index [TLI]=0.939). Conclusion Our results suggest that SCD-Q is influenced by depressive symptoms, but not by IADL. The role of depressive symptoms as a mediator between CDR-SB and SCD-Q indicates that psychological factors may contribute to the perception of SCD. Therefore, interventions targeting depression may mitigate the concerns associated with SCD and reduce feelings of worse performance compared to others of the same age group.

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.

Purpose: Recently, oxytocin has been introduced experimentally as a pharmacological treatment for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). This study attempted to investigate the possibility of oxytocin as a treatment option for patients with PTSD by examining its dose, interval, and effectiveness in patients with PTSD. Methods: A systematic review was done on articles published from 1967 to 2020 using the PubMed, PsycINFO, and Cochrane databases. Our inclusion criteria were 1) subjects 18 years of age or older diagnosed with PTSD or exposed to a traumatic event that met criterion A of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) for PTSD, 2) oxytocin was administered at least once, 3) clinical trials, and 4) studies published in Korean or English. Two independent researchers reviewed 22 articles and recorded the contents. The risk of bias was evaluated to determine the quality of the reviewed article. Results: The parameters for evaluating the effectiveness of oxytocin were identified as socio-behavioral measures in 11 articles, neuronal imaging in 9, and biomarkers in 4. In 5 papers, oxytocin was administered multiple times. Socio-behavioral measures were improved in 3 out of 5 studies in which oxytocin was administered multiple times. In 2 studies in which prolonged exposure treatment and nasal oxytocin administration were combined for 10 weeks, patient symptoms were decreased compared to the control group. Conclusion The possibility of oxytocin as an adjuvant treatment for PTSD psychotherapy was confirmed. Further studies are necessary to evaluate the long term effectiveness of administering oxytocin multiple times combined with psychotherapy.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to analyze research trends and find whether Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) of refugees could affect structural or functional changes of brains of those under MRI, focusing on volumes, functional connectivities, and metabolites. Methods: A literature search was done using PubMed, Embase, RISS, and KMBase to identify studies that matched our research purpose. A total of eight studies were identified using Prisma flow diagram by two reviewers independently. Results: Eight studies were identified. Three studies were on North Korean defectors as subjects. The number of studies that observed structural changes, functional changes, and metabolite changes in brains was 2, 5, and 2, respectively. Although each study observed various parts of the brain, anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) was observed commonly in three studies. The PTSD group showed reduction of ACC volume and N-acetyl-aspartate (NAA) metabolite in ACC compared to the non- PTSD group. When exposed to negative stimuli, the PTSD group showed higher neural activity than the non-PTSD group, but not vice versa. Conclusion ACC showed significant difference in volume, neural activity, and NAA metabolite between the PTSD and the non-PTSD group, resulting in significant differences in structural changes, functional changes, metabolite changes, respectively. This study showed the need for conducting more research using various biomarkers to clarify the relationship between PTSD of refugees and their brain changes.