Adolescents In South Korea Research Articles

Gender Differences in Factors Influencing Smoking, Drinking, and Their Co-occurrence among Adolescents in South Korea

This study aimed to examine gender differences in the influence of social, attitudinal, and intrapersonal factors on the onset of smoking, drinking, and the co-occurrence of tobacco and alcohol use among adolescents in South Korea. Using time-dependent Cox regression, the study analyzed the Korean Youth Panel Study conducted by the Korean National Youth Policy Institute. The study sample was middle-school second-graders (n = 3,188) in South Korea. This study found gender differences between Korean male and female adolescents in models of smoking and alcohol uptake; the co-occurrence model was identical, however. At first, parental supervision, attachment to friends, drinking friends, self-control, and aggression were common factors in the onset of drinking among Korean adolescents. Stress was shown to be significantly correlated with the onset of male adolescent drinking, whereas family income was a significant factor just for females. In the smoking model, attachment to friends, smoking friends, stigma, and self-control were identified as common factors related to the onset of smoking in both male and female adolescents. Attachment to parents was found to be a significant factor for male adolescents and aggression for females. The study findings indicate influences on the commencement of smoking, drinking, and concurrent tobacco and alcohol use among Korean male and female adolescents. Culturally sensitive interventions focusing on common risk factors with several differentiated strategies for both boys and girls should be developed and provided for Korean adolescents.

The associations between self-reported sleep duration and adolescent health outcomes: What is the role of time spent on Internet use?

This study aimed to examine the associations of self-reported sleep duration with adolescent health outcomes, taking into account time spent on Internet use. We used data from the 2008-2009 Korea Youth Behavioral Risk Factor Survey, a cross-sectional online survey of middle and high school students aged 13-18years in South Korea (N=136,589) to examine the associations of self-reported sleep duration with four mental and physical health measures, e.g. self-report of depressive symptoms, suicidal ideation, weight status, and self-rated health. The binary logit and generalized ordered logit models controlled for time spent on Internet use for non-study purposes and other factors. Shorter self-reported sleep duration was associated with a higher likelihood of reporting depressive symptoms, suicidal ideation, and overweight or obese status, and a lower likelihood of reporting better self-rated health, even after accounting for time spent on Internet use. Excessive Internet use was found to be an independent risk factor for these outcomes. Among in-school adolescents in South Korea, shorter sleep duration and excessive Internet use are independently and additively associated with multiple indicators of adverse health status. Excessive Internet use may have not only direct adverse health consequences, but also have indirect negative effects through sleep deprivation.

High prevalence of vitamin D insufficiency or deficiency in young adolescents in Korea

Recent studies suggest that vitamin D insufficiency or deficiency is not only a problem of older generations anymore but also an important health concern among younger generations. However, comprehensive data are lacking in Korean adolescents. We investigated the vitamin D (25-hydroxy vitamin D [25(OH)D]) status, the prevalence of vitamin D insufficiency or deficiency, and the association between vitamin D levels and insulin resistance and lipid profiles in a sample of 188 Korean adolescents aged 12-13 years who participated in a general health check-up at a tertiary hospital. Vitamin D deficiency was considered as serum concentrations <20 ng/mL (50 nmol/L); a level of 21-29 ng/mL (52-72 nmol/L) was considered to indicate vitamin D insufficiency, whereas a level of 30 ng/mL or greater (>75 nmol/L) was considered sufficient or optimum. In this cross-sectional study, vitamin D insufficiency or deficiency was found in 98.9 % of boys and 100 % of girls, whereas only 1.1 % of boys and 0 % of girls had a serum 25(OH)D level of greater than 30 ng/mL. In multivariate linear regression analysis, HOMA-IR, triglyceride, and LDL cholesterol were inversely associated with 25(OH)D concentrations. We found that vitamin D insufficiency or deficiency is a very common health problem in Korean adolescents, particularly in girls, and that serum 25(OH)D levels are inversely associated with insulin resistance and lipid profiles. These results suggest that more time spent in outdoor activity for sunlight exposure and higher vitamin D intake may be needed in younger adolescents in South Korea.

Body Weight Misperception Patterns and Their Association with Health Related Behaviors among Adolescents in South Korea

AimsExamine body weight misperception and its association with eating and physical activity behaviors among 12–18–y–old Korean adolescents.MethodsThe 2009 Korea Youth Risk Behavior Web‐based Survey data from 72,399 adolescents were used. Weight status was assessed using BMI calculated based on self‐reported weight and height. Multinomial logistic models were fit to examine the associations controlling for covariates.ResultsWeight underestimation and overestimation rate were 23.4% and 26.8%, respectively. Boys had higher weight underestimation rate than girls (30.3% vs. 15.6%) and lower overestimation (21.3% vs. 33.0%). Especially among high family income and parental education girls, overestimation rate was 41.0%. Compared to those with accurate weight perception, boys and girls who underestimate their weight status were more likely to have an unhealthy diet as indicated by significantly (p&lt;0.05) higher daily intakes of soda (OR=1.1), fast‐foods (OR=1.2), and snack (OR=1.1) (≥once/day). Girls (but not boys) who overestimate their weight status were more likely to have more screen time (≥2hrs/day) and be stressed and depressed.ConclusionsOver half of Korean adolescents had weight misperception; and there are considerable sex and socioeconomic status differences. Weight misperception is associated with health related behaviors compared to peers with accurate weight perception.Grant Funding Source: NIH U54 HD070725‐01

Early sexual debut and condom nonuse among adolescents in South Korea

The purpose of this study was to investigate the factors related to sexual debut among adolescents, and to examine the association between subject characteristics and condom nonuse among those who experienced sexual intercourse in South Korea. Data were obtained from the 2009 Korean Youth Risk Behaviour Survey, a nationally representative sample. Logistic regression analysis was conducted to investigate the factors related to sexual debut, associations of condom nonuse and subject characteristics. Among male adolescents, age, early age at first emission, low academic achievement, living with a step-parent, perceived low level of household income, frequent drinking and smoking, and depressive feelings were associated with early sexual debut. Attending a coeducational school, living with a single biological parent and step-parent, risky health behaviour such as drinking and smoking, and depressive feelings were related risks factors for early sexual debut among female students. Factors associated with condom nonuse included early sexual debut (less than 16 years of age) (odds ratio (OR)=1.79, 95% confidence interval (CI)=1.32-2.43) and frequent smoking behaviour (OR=1.49, 95% CI=1.08-2.05) for males and early sexual debut (OR=4.37, 95% CI=1.02-18.68) and frequent drinking (OR=2.05, 95% CI=1.12-3.75) for females. Appropriate interventions should be implemented for adolescents in Korea to delay sexual debut and educate them on the proper use of condoms.

The Psychological Problems of North Korean Adolescent Refugees Living in South Korea

ObjectiveAs the number of North Korean adolescent refugees drastically increased in South Korea, there is a growing interest in them. Our study was conducted to evaluate the mental health of the North Korean adolescent refugees residing in South Korea.MethodsThe subjects of this study were 102 North Korean adolescent refugees in Hangyeore middle and high School, the public educational institution for the North Korean adolescent refugees residing in South Korea, and 766 general adolescents in the same region. The Korean version of Child Behavior Check List (K-CBCL) standardized in South Korea was employed as the mental health evaluation tool.ResultsThe adolescent refugees group showed a significantly different score with that of the normal control group in the K-CBCL subscales for sociality (t=29.67, p=0.000), academic performance (t=17.79, p=0.000), total social function (t=35.52, p=0.000), social withdrawal (t=18.01, p=0.000), somatic symptoms (t=28.85, p=0.000), depression/anxiety (t=13.08, p=0.000), thought problems (t=6.24, p=0.013), attention problems (t=4.14, p=0.042), internalized problems (t=26.54, p=0.000) and total problems (t=5.23, p=0.022).ConclusionThe mental health of the North Korean adolescent refugees was severe particularly in internalized problems when compared with that of the general adolescents in South Korea. This result indicates the need for interest in not only the behavior of the North Korean adolescent refugees but also their emotional problem.

Effectiveness of smoking cessation program for male adolescents in South Korea

Abstract The objective of this study was to implement and verify the effectiveness of a smoking cessation program based on a cognitive behavioral model, composed of six sessions. Participants included 80 male middle school students who smoked. They were divided into experimental (n = 35 students) and comparison (n = 45 students) groups, and the smoking cessation program was conducted in the experimental group. Results of self-report scales for smoking behaviors and urinary cotinine and CO levels before and after the program were statistically analyzed with mixed regression including factors for group, time, and a group-by-time interaction. The results indicated that the group effect, time effect, and group-by-time interaction effect were significant for the nicotine dependency. The variation patterns in the two groups became significantly different over time as nicotine dependency drastically decreased in the experimental group, whereas those in the comparison group showed little change from pre-program examination to post-program examination. Significant time effects were observed for smoking cessation efficacy and urinary cotinine levels, reflecting increased smoking cessation efficacy and decreased cotinine levels in both groups across time. The results suggest that this six-week smoking cessation program in male adolescents in South Korea was valid to implement.

Prevalence and Clinical Characteristics of Primary Headaches Among School Children in South Korea: A Nationwide Survey

To determine the 1-year prevalence of headache and clinical characteristics of primary headaches among school children in South Korea. Many population-based studies have estimated the 1-year prevalence of headache, migraine, and tension-type headache (TTH). The results of those studies vary in terms of race and region. There have been few epidemiological population-based studies of headache in children and adolescents in Korea. We conducted a cross-sectional school-based study of a randomized and proportional sample of 5360 boys and girls. All 180 sampled schools participated in this study. The questionnaires collected demographic data in addition to specific questions about headache according to the International Classification of Headache Disorder criteria, 2nd Edition. Valid questionnaires were returned by 94.1% of the sample population. Modified criteria changed the "duration" of migraine (>1 hour instead of 4 hours). The prevalence of headache among school children was 29.1% (1465/5039) in South Korea. The prevalence of headache in girls (33.4%) was significantly higher than in boys (24.4%) (P<.001). The mean age of students with headaches (14.02±3.03) was significantly higher than students without headaches (12.73±3.36) (P <.001). The prevalence of headache according to region was 30.7% among students in urban, 31.2% in suburban, and 21.6% in rural areas. The prevalence of headache according to age was 20.8% among students ∼6-12 years, 32.0% ∼13-15 years, and 38.2% ∼16-18 years. The prevalence according to headache types was 8.7% (boys 7.0%, girls 10.3%) in migraine, 13.7% (boys 10.7%, girls 16.3%) in TTH, and 6.7% in others. The mean frequency, severity of headache, and duration of symptoms were significantly higher in girls than in boys (P<.001). Recurrent primary headaches are quite prevalent among school-aged children and adolescents in South Korea, and the prevalence rates are similar to those reported elsewhere. TTH was more common than migraine. The prevalence of migraine headache increased with age. The prevalence rate of headache in students in urban and suburban areas was significantly higher than the rate of students in rural areas.

Self-Concept and Coping Skills of Female Early Adolescents in South Korea

The purpose of the present study was to investigate the coping strategies and self-concept of Korean female early adolescents. These adolescents (n = 351) were enrolled in a middle school in Seoul. The subjects completed the Multidimensional Self-Concept Scale and Coping Responses Inventory questionnaires. The subjects exhibited the greatest positivity with regard to family self-concept and the greatest negativity with regard to academic self-concept. The subjects most frequently used the seeking guidance strategy of approach coping and the seeking alternative rewards strategy of avoidance coping. Self-concept was positively or negatively related with various coping skills. Using content analysis, seven categories including discord in family relationships were identified. The results of this study provide information that will aid school nurses working with adolescents with regard to helping the adolescents develop a positive self-concept and more effective coping strategies.

The impacts of rape or attempted rape victimization on emotional characteristics and delinquent behaviors among female adolescents in South Korea

The focus of this study was to examine relations among rape or attempted rape victimization, emotional characteristics and delinquency among female adolescents in South Korea. This study analyzed the data of 195 delinquent girls from a juvenile correctional institution for girls and 67 victims of rape or attempted rape who were nondelinquent girls from the 2007 National Sexual Victimization Survey. The major finding was that rape or attempted rape victimization seemed to lead to negative emotional results including poor self-esteem and negative attitude to sex in female adolescents; however, those experiences did not seem to have significant relevance in causing delinquency. The hypothesis that rape or attempted rape victimization is likely to be related to emotional characteristics was supported, whereas the relationship between emotional characteristics and delinquent behaviors was not supported. Second, there were differences in the experiences of rape or attempted rape victimization between nondelinquent and delinquent girls in the context of their environment that the victimized girls confront. Third, the high rate of sexual victimization among delinquent girls has been observed to be due to the problematic situations they are exposed to, including delinquency and sexual victimization.

Adolescent Optimistic Bias Toward HIV/AIDS in Seoul, South Korea

The reported rates of HIV/AIDS cases and risky sexual behaviors have increased among adolescents in South Korea. This study reports the presence, impact, and development of optimistic bias toward HIV/AIDS in Korean adolescents. Survey data from 2996 participants were randomly collected from 8 high school and 8 middle school students in Seoul, South Korea. This study found that Korean high and middle school students had greater optimistic bias toward HIV/AIDS compared with their peers (P = .000). Involvement (r = -0.19; P < .01) decreased optimistic bias, whereas self-esteem (r = 0.13; P < .01) and self-control (r = 0.22; P < .01) increased it. Univariate analysis results indicated that gender and academic performance significantly influenced optimistic bias. However, according to hierarchical multiple regression, this significance was lost, and involvement, self-esteem, and self-control exerted a greater effect. Equipping Korean adolescents with involvement, awareness, and tailored interventions will reduce optimistic bias and yield greater protection against HIV/AIDS.

A Qualitative Case Study on the Adjustment and Coping Experiences among North Korean Refugee Adolescents in South Korea

A Qualitative Case Study on the Adjustment and Coping Experiences among North Korean Refugee Adolescents in South Korea

A survey on the sexual behavior of adolescents in South Korea: The third survey in 2007

Results: 78,834 students were surveyed and 74,698 (94.8%) students responded the survey. 35,232 (47.2%) of respondents were male students and 39,466 (52.8%) of respondents were female students. 38,820 (52.0%) of respondents were middle school students, 25,051 (33.5%) of respondents were high school students and 10,827 (14.5%) of respondents were technical high school students. 5.2% of respondents experienced sexual intercourse. The average age of the first sexual intercourse was 14.2 years old. 1.0% of respondents had a sexual intercourse before they enter the middle school. The pregnancy rate was 0.3%. Among respondents who experienced sexual intercourse, the rate of the use of contraceptive methods was 38.2%. The rate of using inappropriate contraceptive methods was 21.6%. The average age of a first wet dream for boys was 13.2 years old. The average age of menarche for girls was 12.4 year old. The rate of respondents who had a sex education was 72.2%. Conclusion: The average age of the first wet dream and menarche had been decreased. The average age of the first sex experience among adolescents had been decreased. The rate of adolescents who experienced a sexual intercourse was increased. However, the rate of using reliable contraceptive methods was very low. Therefore, adequate sex educations including effective contraceptive methods needs to be conducted to prevent unwanted pregnancy of adolescents.

Investigating the effects of peer association and parental influence on adolescent substance use: A study of adolescents in South Korea

The central purpose of this study was to examine whether peer influence has a greater impact on adolescent substance use than parental influence. This was a comparative study that examined cross-cultural applicability by applying the established findings and theoretical suggestions, such as social learning theory and social bonding theory in the United States, to a traditionally non-Western social context (South Korea). Although the theories have firmly established their explicability on adolescent delinquency and substance use in U.S. society, there are relatively few empirical studies to establish its generalizability in societies outside the U.S. and even fewer in such traditionally non-Western societies as South Korea. Using a nationwide sample of self-reported data from 3,188 junior high school students, estimations from multivariate analyses were used to compare the relative importance of peer and parental influence on adolescent substance (alcohol and tobacco) use. The findings from the current study supported both social learning theory and social bonding theory, suggesting that both peer and parental influence are significant in predicting the risks of adolescent substance use. Although parental influence was slightly greater than peer factors, the difference was negligible. The limitations, the unique social context of Korean society, and future research implications are then discussed.

Prevalence, correlates of and perceptions toward cigarette smoking among adolescents in South Korea

To estimate the prevalence of current smoking, correlates of smoking and assess exposure to and perceptions towards smoking by gender. We used data from the South Korea Global Youth Tobacco Survey (GYTS). Frequencies of selected characteristics and their 95% confidence were obtained. Current cigarette smoking was defined as having smoked, even a single puff, within the last 30 days. Logistic regression analysis was conducted to assess the factors that were considered to be associated with current cigarette smoking in bivariate and multivariate analyses. Of the 5615 respondents, 7.4% males and 5.0% females reported being current smokers (p = 0.003). Having smoking friends was strongly associated with smoking after controlling for age, gender, parental smoking status, exposure to anti-smoking media messages, and perception of risks of smoking (OR=69.92; 95% CI [41.24, 118.57] for most friends and OR=11.86; 95% CI [7.26, 19.36] for some friends). Male gender and having one or both smoking parents were associated with smoking (OR=1.43; 95% CI [1.09, 1.89] and OR=1.29; 95% CI [1.00-, 1.71] respectively). Exposure to antismoking media messages was negatively associated with smoking (OR=0.52; 95% CI [0.36, 0.77]. Prevalence of smoking among adolescents in South Korea is lower than in many other Asian countries. There is however, need to strengthen anti-tobacco messages especially among adolescents.

The Influencing Factors on Suicide Attempt among Adolescents in South Korea

Suicide has been considered a large public health concern in recent years because suicide mortality has been increasing rapidly. This study was done to investigate the prevalence and risk factors of a suicide attempt among adolescents in South Korea. The data of the 2006 Youth Health Risk Behavior web-based Survey collected by the Korean Center for Disease Control was analyzed using logistic regression for this study. The prevalence of a suicide attempt was 5.2% in South Korea. The risk factors of a suicide attempt were suicidal ideation (odds 31.83), depression (odds 7.98), drug use (odds 4.67), currently smoking (odds 3.19), feeling unhappiness (odds 2.77), stress (odds 2.60), currently drinking alcohol (odds 2.39), sexual activity (odds 2.33), living with neither parent (odds 2.24), initial alcohol drinking by age 9 (odds 1.80), health status (odds 2.15), skipped breakfast (odds 1.75), disease (odds 1.65), and school records (odds 1.22). Suicide screening and prevention programs should be developed, considering these risk factors. Suicide prevention programs should be applied to the at risk population prior to a suicide attempt.

School-based smoking prevention programs for adolescents in South Korea: a systematic review

The number of research papers evaluating programs designed to prevent adolescent smoking have increased in the last 13 years in Korea. The purpose of this study was to evaluate these programs, to review the features of the studies and to systemically assess the results on the knowledge about, and attitude to, smoking and smoking behavior. Database searched were national digital library (NDL) and the Research Information Service System, which are major literature search systems for all academic fields in South Korea, and the Research Information Center for Health, which is a database for health field. A total of 11 papers were included. Program contents are described under five categories and the mode of delivery is described. Methodological features were investigated and effect of the size of the study on variables investigated was computed. Knowledge was the main content of the program in most of the studies. Most studies delivered classroom-based instructions that were mainly didactic presentations. School-based smoking programs have not influenced adolescent smoking behavior as much as anticipated. Methodological problems were discussed. Several recommendations are made to improve effectiveness of smoking prevention programs and reduce methodological flaws in future studies.