J Korean Acad Psychiatr Ment Health Nurs.  2014 Dec;23(4):208-216. 10.12934/jkpmhn.2014.23.4.208.

Mental Distress of Children in Kirogi Families

Affiliations
  • 1College of Nursing Science, Kyung Hee University, Seoul, Korea.
  • 2East-West Nursing Research Institute, Kyung Hee University, Seoul, Korea.
  • 3College of Nursing, The Research Institute of Nursing Science, Seoul National University, Seoul, Korea. hchoi20@snu.ac.kr
  • 4College of Nursing, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, USA.

Abstract

PURPOSE
The specific aims of the present study were to compare Kirogi children's mental distress and psychosocial factors between short-term (ST) and long-term groups (LT), and to identify predictors of mental distress in the two groups.
METHODS
A sample of 107 Kirogi children living in the U.S. participated in this cross-sectional study and completed the following questionnaires: Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale, State-Trait Anxiety Inventory for Children, Somatic Symptom Scale, Self-Esteem Scale, Parent-Child (P-C) Relationship Satisfaction Scale, Parent-Adolescent Communication Inventory Social, Attitudinal, Familial, and Environmental Scale, and Social Support Scale.
RESULTS
The LT group reported higher scores on depression and anxiety, and lower scores on self-esteem and P-C relationship than the ST group. Higher scores on somatic symptoms were found in the ST group. Problematic mother-child communication and dissatisfaction with father-child relationship were significant predictors for mental distress. Self-esteem predicted depression and anxiety in the ST group; particularly self-esteem was a significant predictor for anxiety in both groups. Discrimination and process-oriented stress were significant predictors for depression and anxiety in the ST group.
CONCLUSION
Results of the present study reveal the needs for school-based mental health programs for the increasing number of Kirogi children vulnerable to mental distress.

Keyword

Adolescent; Anxiety disorders; Depression; Parent-child relations

MeSH Terms

Adolescent
Anxiety
Anxiety Disorders
Child*
Cross-Sectional Studies
Depression
Discrimination (Psychology)
Father-Child Relations
Humans
Mental Health
Parent-Child Relations
Psychology
Surveys and Questionnaires

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