OBJECTIVE: This study investigated the associations of suicidal ideation (SI) evaluated within 2 weeks after an acute coronary syndrome (ACS) episode with functioning, disability, and quality of life (QOL) at a 1-year follow-up assessment. METHODS: This study recruited 1152 consecutive patients within 2 weeks of a confirmed ACS episode; 828 of these patients who were followed up 1 year later comprised the study sample. SI was determined at baseline using the “suicidal thoughts” item of the MontgomeryÅsberg Depression Rating Scale. At both examinations, social and occupational functioning were measured by the Social and Occupational Functioning Assessment Scale (SOFAS), disability was estimated by World Health Organization Disability Assessment Schedule-12 (WHODAS-12), and QOL was assessed using the World Health Organization Quality of Life-Abbreviated form (WHOQOL-BREF). Baseline covariates included sociodemographic data, depression characteristics, cardiovascular risk factors, and current cardiac status. RESULTS: SI at baseline was independently associated with less improved or decreased scores on the SOFAS, WHODAS-12, and WHOQOL-BREF over 1 year after adjusting for relevant covariates. CONCLUSION: SI within 2 weeks of an ACS episode predicted poorer functioning and QOL at a 1-year follow-up assessment. Thus, the simple evaluation of SI in patients with recently developed ACS could be helpful in screening for functioning and QOL during the chronic phase of this disease.
Acute Coronary Syndrome ; Depression ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Mass Screening ; Quality of Life ; Risk Factors ; Social Adjustment ; Suicidal Ideation ; World Health Organization

PURPOSE: This study tries to test mediating effects of hope and therapeutic relationship in the relation between general social functions and mental health recovery of community people with mental illness. METHODS: This study was carried out in a cross-sectional research design. The participants included 217 people with mental illnesses who were enrolled at eight Mental Health Welfare Centers in the Gyeonggi Province. Data were collected from February to May, 2018. The collected data were analyzed using a regression analysis, and SPSS PROCESS macro was used to test the mediating effects. RESULTS: This study analyzed the direct effects of general social functions on the hope, therapeutic relationship and mental health recovery. And general social functions had indirect effects on their mental health recovery via hope and therapeutic relationship. Both hope and therapeutic relationship had dual mediating effects in the influence of general social functions on mental health recovery. CONCLUSION: The role of hope and therapeutic relationship in the mental health recovery of community people with mental illness is important, and it is confirmed that hope is a powerful factor influencing mental health recovery.
Gyeonggi-do ; Hope ; Humans ; Mental Health ; Mentally Ill Persons ; Negotiating ; Professional-Patient Relations ; Research Design ; Social Adjustment

OBJECTIVES: Late-onset schizophrenia (LOS, age at first onset ≥40 years) is characterized by including predominance of women, better premorbid social adjustment and lower severity of positive/negative symptoms. However, few studies have been conducted on LOS, especially in Asian countries. This study aimed to examine the clinical features of LOS in comparison with early-onset schizophrenia (EOS). METHODS: By retrospectively reviewing medical records, we assessed demographic data and clinical features of 76 LOS (20 males) and 357 EOS (144 males) who admitted to the psychiatric ward of a general hospital. RESULTS: The mean ages of onset were 47.3±5.1 (LOS) and 25.7±6.5 (EOS) years. There were significantly more women in LOS (73.7%) than EOS (59.6%). Significantly more LOS patients had a marital (88.2% vs. 25.8%) and employment history (28.9% vs. 13.1%) than EOS. Patients with LOS had fewer negative (14.3±9.0 vs. 19.9±9.3), general psychopathology score (36.9±11.1 vs. 42.3±13.9) than EOS patients. CONCLUSION: In line with previous studies, this study demonstrated that LOS patients have better premorbid social adjustment. Our finding also replicates previous findings that LOS patients differ from EOS in predominance of women and relative lack of negative symptoms. These results suggest that LOS may be a distinct subtype of schizophrenia.
Age of Onset ; Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; Employment ; Female ; Hospitals, General ; Humans ; Korea ; Medical Records ; Psychopathology ; Retrospective Studies ; Schizophrenia ; Sex Ratio ; Social Adjustment

OBJECTIVE: A defense mechanism is an automatic psychological process necessary for successful adaptation. It reflects adaptive capacity. The purpose of this study is to explore the relationship between the adaptation ability of individuals who face mandatory military service and the pattern of defense mechanisms. METHODS: The subjects were 69 men (21.4±2.2 years) who expressed psychological difficulties in three military service situations. Control group was 36 men (24.0±1.4 years) who had successfully completed military service. We examined psychiatric history, the pattern of defense mechanisms, and depression and anxiety levels. Defense mechanisms were compared between two groups. RESULTS: The maladjusted group used immature defenses more frequently than the control group did. There were no differences in the defense patterns according to diagnosis. The control group used more identification and rationalization, classified as immature defenses. The temporarily maladjusted group used more somatization, regression, and avoidance. CONCLUSION: Using mature defense mechanisms helped young adults to adapt to a particular situation. The maturity of the defense is more valuable than the psychiatric diagnosis. Some immature defenses are also helpful to adapt. We cautiously assume that some defenses can be protective or risk factors in adapting to stressful situations by young adults.
Anxiety ; Defense Mechanisms ; Depression ; Diagnosis ; Humans ; Korea ; Male ; Mental Disorders ; Military Personnel ; Rationalization ; Risk Factors ; Social Adjustment ; Young Adult

PURPOSE: This study aimed to identify the attributes of social adjustment among adolescent cancer survivors using concept analysis and to propose a definition of the concept. METHODS: In accordance with the hybrid model of concept analysis, this study employed a three-phase circular process comprising theoretical, fieldwork, and final analysis phases. A thorough literature review was conducted using MEDLINE, Embase, and Korean databases, followed by qualitative fieldwork with seven participants. The results derived from the theoretical and fieldwork phases were integrated into the final analysis phase. RESULTS: Four attributes of social adjustment were found in adolescent cancer survivors: having harmonious relationships with friends, having harmonious relationships with boy/girlfriends, fulfilling their present roles, and planning for and expecting future roles. The following definition of social adjustment of adolescent cancer survivors is proposed: “the conquering of difficulties arising from the continuum of childhood cancer and the achievement of the developmental tasks of typical adolescents.” CONCLUSION: Social adjustment of childhood cancer survivors is crucial for integrating them into society. The findings of this study provide a basis for developing an instrument to measure the social adjustment of adolescent cancer survivors and for developing of interventions that target this group.
Adolescent ; Friends ; Humans ; Social Adjustment ; Survivors

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.
Democratic People's Republic of Korea ; Diagnostic Self Evaluation ; Education ; Humans ; Korea ; Marriage ; Psychological Trauma ; Quality of Life ; Social Adjustment ; United Nations

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate measurement properties of self-report questionnaires measuring the social adjustment for youth after treatment of childhood cancer. METHODS: Social adjustment measurement tools were identified through a two-stage systematic review. First, we searched for articles using self-report questionnaires to measure the social adjustment of youth after the treatment of childhood cancer. The appropriate tools were listed and categorized. Second, using methodological filters, we searched 5 electronic databases for articles examining the measurement properties of the tools when used with youth after the treatment of childhood cancer. The quality of these papers was then evaluated using the COnsensus-based Standards for the selection of health Measurement INstruments (COSMIN) checklist. RESULTS: Eight tools were frequently used to measure social adjustment. Eight studies investigated the measurement properties of 4 of these tools. The PedsQL 4.0 and MMQL-AF had moderate to strong evidence in some domains, but the rest of the domains had a lack of evidence. The SF-36 and KIDSCREEN-27 were validated for only a few areas. CONCLUSION: We found a lack of evidence regarding the measurement properties of these tools. More research is required on the measurement properties of tools for use in this population.
Adolescent ; Checklist ; Humans ; Social Adjustment ; Surveys and Questionnaires

PURPOSE: This purpose of study was to describe the adaptation process in the workplace in Korean adults with alcohol use disorder. METHODS: Twelve participants were recruited at hospital outpatients, Alcoholic Anonymous, and addiction treatment centers from October 2016 to January 2017. Inclusion criteria were Korean adults aged 18 and older who were diagnosed with alcohol use disorder and had a job for at least one year. Data were analyzed using Strauss and Corbin's grounded theory method. RESULTS: From open coding, 74 final concepts, 18 sub-categories, and 10 categories were identified. Results showed that the central phenomenon was ‘struggling to stand confidently’. The core categories were ‘withstanding life by embracing reality as an addict’, and the adaptation process appeared ‘selection stage’, ‘determination stage’, and ‘management stage’. The adaptation process of Korean adults with alcohol use disorder in the workplace was compared to ‘pearl in oyster’, which can be a process of breaking through pain. CONCLUSION: Our study findings provide an in-depth understanding of the experiences of an alcoholic's job life. Mental health nurses need to be actively involved in developing vocational rehabilitation programs for addicts.
Adult ; Alcoholics ; Anonyms and Pseudonyms ; Clinical Coding ; Grounded Theory ; Humans ; Mental Health ; Methods ; Occupations ; Outpatients ; Rehabilitation, Vocational ; Social Adjustment

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to identify and describe cultural meanings for married Japanese immigrant women in rural Korean communities. METHODS: The informants were 10 women in rural areas. Data were collected from August 2017 to June 2018 through in-depth interviews and participant observations and analyzed using text analysis and taxonomic methods developed by Spradley. RESULTS: The meanings of adaptation were classified into five cultural domains: Practicing the doctrine, accepting the difference, redemption, true home, and confronting reality. The subthemes according to meanings of adaptation were comprised of international marriage with a sense of calling, bearing with sense of duty, and making a living substantively. The subthemes in this study reflect the process of adaptation. The cultural themes in the process of adaptation were overcoming differences and conflicts between Korea and Japan to achieve true family. CONCLUSION: The adaptation processes of married Japanese immigrant women included making their living reality known and recognizing the times when exchanges between Koreans and Japanese cannot exist within a hostile composition.
Anthropology, Cultural ; Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; Emigrants and Immigrants ; Female ; Humans ; Japan ; Korea ; Marriage ; Social Adjustment

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to identify factors influencing psychosocial well-being in family caregivers of patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). METHODS: A descriptive correlational design was used. The transactional model of stress and coping was used to investigate the psychosocial well-being of 137 family caregivers of patients with ALS. Data were collected through self-reported questionnaires from January to November 2016. Data were analyzed using an independent t-test, one-way ANOVA, Pearson's correlation, and hierarchical multiple regression analysis with the SPSS WIN 21.0 program. RESULTS: The regression model had an adjusted R2 of .49, which indicated that meaning-focused coping, social support, ALS patient-family caregiver relationship (especially a spousal relationship), and tracheostomy were significant predictors of caregivers' psychosocial well-being. CONCLUSION: Meaning-focused coping and social support significantly influenced caregivers' psychosocial well-being. Therefore, interventions to improve caregivers' psychosocial well-being must focus on increasing meaning-focused coping and social support resources.
Adaptation, Psychological ; Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis* ; Caregivers* ; Humans ; Social Adjustment ; Tracheostomy