Objective The aims of this study were to explore the prevalence of and identify predictors of anxiety and depression related to coronavirus disease of 2019 (COVID-19) in South Korea.Methods The analysis is based on a quota survey design and a sampling frame that permitted recruitment of a national sample of 1,014 individuals between March 17–31, 2020. Several standardized measurements were used, including GAD-7, PHQ-9, COVID-19 related fear, restrictions in deaily life, as well as sociodemographic information and physical and psychosocial needs during the pandemic. Multiple logistic regression was conducted to analyze the influence of sociodemographic factors, fear, and physical/psychosocial needs on anxiety and depression.Results Significant numbers of the respondents were identifiable anxiety (19.0%) and depression group (17.5%), respectively. This indicates that the depression and anxiety prevalence rate after the COVID-19 is substantially high compared to the depression rate of 2.6% in 2020 and 2.8% in 2018 both reported in the Korea Community Health Survey and the anxiety rate of 5.7% reported in 2016 Survey of Mental Disorders in Korea. Multiple logistic regression results showed age, COVID-19 related fear, and the level of restrictions in daily as significant factors in understanding and predicting the anxiety group. Likfewise, the COVID-19 related fear, restrictions in daily life, and need for economic support were important predictors in predicting the depression group.Conclusion Findings on predictors for greater vulnerability to anxiety and depression has important implications for public mental health in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Lee KS, et al. J Korean Med Sci. 2022 Jun;37(25):e199. https://doi.org/10.3346/jkms.2022.37.e199

This study was conducted to validate a Perceived Competence Scale for Disaster Mental Health Workforce (PCS-DMHW) designed to measure the core competences of mental health workers in disaster response situations at individual and organizational levels. core competences essentially required in disaster response situations were defined on the basis of literature review, focus-group interview with disaster response professionals, and expert judgment. The preliminary items of the PCS-DMHW thus generated were administered to 509 participants consisted of mental health professionals and semi-professionals. The data retrieved from questionnaires were equally divided by two halves. The final items were determined through the exploratory factor analysis of the half data (n=255), and the construct validity was tested by performing the confirmatory factor analysis and criterion-related validity test of the remaining half data (n=254). Three factors were derived from the individual competences scale; 1) perceived competence of knowledge and skill, 2) ethic, and 3) qualification. And three factors were derived from the organizational competence scale; 1) teamwork, 2) network, and 3) followship. The PCS-DMHW demonstrated fairly high reliability and validity. Finally, the necessity of continuous validation study and the application modalities of this scale in education and training settings were discussed.

Objective The economic hardship brought by the coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-2019) pandemic has caused mental health problems among people of different socioeconomic status (SES). As social support helps to buffer these problems, we investigated the association between job loss related to COVID-19 and depression, anxiety, and suicidal thoughts; the differences in the effects according to SES; and the mediating effects of social support.Methods The effects of COVID-19-related job loss on depression, anxiety, and suicidal thoughts among 1,364 people were investigated through semi-structured and self-administered questionnaires: Patient Health Questionnaire–9, General Anxiety Disorder–7, and the Functional Social Support Questionnaire. Logistic regression and subgroup analyses were performed to assess the association between job loss and mental health status, and the moderating effects of income and educational levels. Moreover, the mediating effects of perceived social support on the association between job loss and depression, anxiety, and suicidal thoughts were analyzed.Results COVID-19-related job loss increased the risk of depression and suicidal thoughts. Adults with lower income and education level were at higher risk of depression, anxiety, and suicidal thoughts; perceived social support level had significant mediating effects on the association between job loss and depression/anxiety; and income level had significant moderating effects on this mediating pathway.Conclusion COVID-19-related job loss were likely to be significantly associated with negative mental health outcomes, especially among individuals with low income and education levels. As social support had buffering effects on such outcomes, related government policies in cooperation with the governance of communities and stakeholders must be prepared.

본 연구는 재난 뉴스를 통한 간접 외상 노출의 심리적 영향을 살펴보기 위해 수행되었다. 참가자들(N=439)은 세월호 사건이 발생한 지 평균 68.11(±18.47)일이 경과한 후 일련의 자기 보고식 질문지를 작성하였으며, 여기에는 외상후 위기 체크리스트(Posttraumatic Risk Checklist: PRC), 사건 충격 척도(Impact of Event Scale-Revised: IES-R) 및 다차원적 죽음불안 척도(Multidimensional Fear of Death Scale: MFODS)가 포함되었다. 재난 뉴스노출과 외상후 스트레스 증상의 관계에서 죽음불안, 외상당시 및 외상후 위기의 매개효과를 살펴보기 위해 구조방정식을 수행하였다. 그 결과, 죽음불안, 외상 당시 및 외상 후 위기는 초기 뉴스노출과 외상후 스트레스 증상 간의 관계를 유의하게 매개하였다. 이러한 결과는 재난 직후의 뉴스노출이 죽음불안에 영향을 주고, 이것이 외상당시 및 외상후 위기를 유발하며, 이러한 위기 요인들이 외상후 스트레스 증상을 증가시킬 수 있음을 의미한다. 마지막으로, 본 연구의 제한점과 미래 연구를 위한 제안이 논의되었다.

The purpose of this study was to examine the factors that predict life satisfaction in a large representative sample of Koreans by analyzing data from the Gallup World Poll. The primary objective was to identify important predictors and suggest strategies to improve quality of life in Korea. The study used available Korean data from 2006 to 2017, which included 14,101 participants (mean age = 46.42). Predictors included demographic and psychological variables, with the Cantril Ladder of Life Scale serving as the outcome variable. The results show a decline in life satisfaction with advancing age, and that the relationship between life satisfaction and age varied by gender. Among the predictors examined, satisfaction with the standard of living and household income emerged as the most influential factors in determining life evaluation; other strong predictors included positive affect and negative affect, social support, gender, and education level. These results imply that, to increase life satisfaction, it is imperative to provide job opportunities and social services specifically targeted to individuals in low-income groups. In addition, it is crucial to implement tailored psychosocial interventions that address the unique developmental tasks and psychological challenges experienced by individuals according to their gender and life cycle stage.