South Korean Middle School Students Research Articles

잠재프로파일 분석을 통한 진로성숙도 및 학업성취도에 따른 중학생 유형 분류 및 영향요인 분석

Objectives The purposes of this study were to classify the latent profiles of Korean middle school students’ career maturity and academic achievement and also to explore the influence of relevant factors on the identified latent profiles.
 Methods For this purpose, 6,618 responses of the fifth band of the elementary 5 panel (9th grade) of Korea Education Longitudinal Study (KELS) were analyzed. The study analyzed the influence of variables such as personal characteristics, family environment, and school experience in predicting the latent profiles of middle school students' career maturity and academic achievement levels.
 Results The latent profiles of South Korean middle school students' career maturity and academic achievement were classified into five categories: lower career-lower academic group, upper group, middle group, lower group, and upper career-lower academic group. The forms of these profiles were found to be distinct. The verification of influencing factors revealed that gender, creativity, self-management, parental support, interaction with parents, attitude towards lessons, teachers' pressure for achievement, teacher relationships, and peer relationships all had significant impacts.
 Conclusions Based on these results, contemplation on the direction of middle school education in South Korea was discussed, along with academic understanding of the relationship between middle school students' career maturity and academic achievement. Additionally, implications for various support measures were also deliberated.

Factors influencing South Korean early Adolescents’ cyber aggression

Since 2018, juvenile cyberbullying has outpaced physical violence in terms of prevalence, making it a critical social concern. This study examined factors influencing early adolescents’ cyber aggression, which include demographic characteristics (child-related and parent-related variables), psycho-emotional state, problematic smartphone use, offline violence, and parent-related factors (parenting styles and time spent on parent–child communication). The data were extracted from the 2018 Korean Children and Youth Panel Survey (KCYPS). Participants comprised 2,590 South Korean middle school students aged 13 years old. The data was analyzed with SPSS 22.0. Descriptive statistics, including means, standard deviations, and Cronbach’s alpha, Pearson’s correlation analysis, and binomial logistic regression were computed. As a consequence, males have a greater likelihood of cyber aggression than females. Additionally, offline violence was discovered to be the strongest determinant of cyber aggression. Early adolescents’ depression and inconsistent parenting styles were found to be connected with a higher risk of cyber aggression. These results highlight the importance of a comprehensive strategy for understanding and addressing cyber aggression, which takes into account both individual factors as well as contextual aspects. This study not only validated prior research findings, but also illuminated the subtle complexity underlying the incidence of cyber violence during this formative time.

Family factors and offline/online risk behaviors among South Korean adolescents: A multidimensional approach using latent profile analysis

The family is a crucial ecological system that shapes adolescent risk behaviors in many ways. However, existing studies have mostly focused on how selective family variables are linked to adolescent’s engagement in risky behavior rather than considering a comprehensive set of family domains. Although new forms of risky behaviors via technical devices are prevalent among adolescents, the relationship between online risk behaviors and family factors has not been fully investigated. In response to these research gaps, the current study aimed to (1) investigate the latent profiles of family characteristics as represented by four domains (parent–adolescent relationship, socioeconomic and demographic characteristics, parental psychological well-being, and family smartphone use); and (2) examine features of latent family profiles most associated with adolescent offline and online risk behaviors. Data were drawn from the second wave of the Korean Children and Youth Panel Survey (KCYPS) (N = 2,197), which is nationally representative of South Korean middle school students. A total of eighteen family indicators were used in the latent profile analysis. Five heterogeneous subgroups of unique family experiences emerged: low perceived socioeconomic status (SES), poor family environment, high-quality and low-quantity parenting, high perceived SES, and positive parent–youth relationship. Results from logistic regression suggested that the poor family environment group had the highest risk of engaging in both types of risk behaviors. The findings lend support for adapting a comprehensive approach in addressing various dimensions of family needs and provide insight for future intervention programs and services.

The Moderating Effects of Physical Activity on the Relationships between Child Maltreatment and Health Outcomes among Korean Adolescents: A Secondary Analysis of the 2020 Korean Children and Youth Rights Survey.

Adverse childhood events (ACEs) are associated with poor health outcomes and behaviors. Research has shown that physical activity (PA) can have a protective effect on the relationship between ACEs and health outcomes. This study aimed to explore the moderating effects of PA on the relationships between ACEs (physical and emotional abuse) and physical and psychological health (depression and self-esteem) among South Korean middle school students. The data used in this study were from the 2020 Korean Children and Youth Rights Survey (KCYRS), which had 2640 participants. The results indicated that PA could lessen the negative effects of emotional abuse on physical health and self-esteem. However, there was no significant moderating effect of PA in the relationship between physical abuse and health outcomes. The findings suggest that, while PA might be a protective factor for individuals exposed to emotional abuse, the effects of abuse on engaging in PA and the benefits of PA can be complex. Further research is needed to understand how different types of ACEs affect individuals and how PA can mitigate negative impacts. Health professionals, educators, and stakeholders should provide more opportunities for PA to support healthy behaviors and prevent negative health outcomes in adulthood for youth exposed to ACEs.

Association of Residence Type on Smoking in South Korean Adolescents during the COVID-19 Pandemic: Findings from a National Survey.

The closure of schools due to the COVID-19 pandemic has forced adolescents to stay home. These disruptions, as well as a significant decrease in social access, have impacted smoking behavior. This study identified the association between the adolescents’ type of residence and tobacco product use. A cross-sectional study (using data from the Korea Youth Risk Behavior Web-based Survey) examined 3774 students in 2019 (pre-pandemic) and 2575 students in 2020 (during the pandemic). The participants were South Korean middle and high school students aged 13–19 years. Using multinomial logistic regression, it was shown that adolescents who lived alone or in a boarding house had a higher risk of being an e-cigarette smoker compared with those who lived with family or relatives (OR = 6.49, CI = 2.06–20.45). Living in a dormitory or orphanage also increased the risk of dual tobacco use compared with living with family (OR = 2.09, 95% CI = 1.13–3.84). With the advent and continuation of the COVID-19 pandemic, this effect became more significant in 2020 than in 2019. Our findings support the theory that residential differences affect adolescent smoking behavior and highlight the importance of integrated smoking bans and educational programs to control adolescent smoking.

Assessing the Overlap between Cyberstalking Victimization and Face-to-face Sexual Victimization among South Korean Middle and High School Students

ABSTRACT While there is a growing empirical literature on victimization in the virtual world, limited scholarship has examined the potentially overlapping relationship between cyberstalking victimization and face-to-face sexual victimization. The current study uses data from a sample of 7,109 middle and high school students in South Korea to investigate the extent to which the overlap exists between cyberstalking victimization and face-to-face sexual victimization. Additionally, we examine whether the two forms of victimization are the outcome of the same underlying mechanisms. The results from bivariate probit models show a significant degree of overlap between cyberstalking victimization and face-to-face sexual victimization. Being a female, a high level of parental strain, and a high level of school disorder are significantly associated with the joint occurrence of the two forms of victimization. Our findings highlight the importance of crime prevention policies that focus on familial and school factors.

Comparison of Health Awareness in South Korean Middle School Students According to Type of Online Physical Education Classes during the COVID-19 Pandemic.

Coronavirus disease 2019 popularized online classes to prevent educational deficits affected by the pandemic. This study aimed to assess the differences in the importance and performance of health awareness in Korean middle school students according to the types of online physical education classes they attended during the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic. Overall, 583 participants were selected using a convenience sampling method; the data were obtained through an online survey using Google forms. Frequency analysis, reliability analysis, independent sample t-test, and importance–performance analysis were performed. First, the differences between importance and performance were found to be the most for sleep and physical activity management, and the least for disease and hygiene management. In addition, both groups demonstrated higher importance and performance for hygiene and disease management. There were significant differences in the importance and performance of all the sub-factors. Second, hygiene, disease management, and mental health management were found in quadrant I in both groups, while physical activity, sleep, and dietary habit management were in quadrant III. No factors were in quadrants II and IV. Correspondingly, there was no significant difference in adolescents’ health awareness between the assignment-based online group and interactive online group.

Effects of School-Based Meditation Courses on Self-Reflection, Academic Attention, and Subjective Well-Being in South Korean Middle School Students

PurposeThe purpose of this study was to examine the effects of school-based meditation courses on middle school students' self-reflection, academic attention (ability to focus in classrooms), and subjective well-being. Design and methodsThe research design was a nonequivalent group comparison (n = 163) with pretest and post-test. The experimental group (n = 81) was given an eight-week meditation course and the control group (n = 82) was given other elective courses such as calligraphy and reading. ResultsThe experimental group showed significant increases in self-reflection (t = 2.536, p = .012) and academic attention (t = 2.767, p = .006), but subjective well-being did not increase significantly (t = 0.906, p = .367). Life satisfaction was the only subcomponent of subjective well-being that increased significantly (t = 2.438, p = .016); the other subjective well-being subcomponents did not show any significant changes. ConclusionsSelf-reflection and academic attention significantly increased in middle school students after an eight-week meditation course. Even though changes in subjective well-being were not significant, one of its subcomponents (life satisfaction) did show significant improvement. Self-reflection and subjective well-being were shown to be influential factors for academic attention (48.5% of the variance explained). Practice implicationsThis study is meaningful in that it examined positive benefits of a meditation course in middle school students and explored the feasibility of such a course in a school system.

Analysis of the Relationship between Sleep Duration and Body Mass Index among Korean Adolescents Using Data from the 2013-2015 Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey.

BackgroundObesity in adolescence can continue up to adulthood and lead to various complications. There has been a continuous increase in the obesity incidence among adolescents, which is an emerging social issue. Studies have reported that decreased sleep duration in adolescents can have negative effects on health, leading to obesity. Therefore, in the present study, we aimed to investigate the relationship between sleep duration and body mass index among South Korean middle and high school students aged 12–18 years.MethodsThe participants of the Sixth National Health and Nutrition Survey conducted during 2013–2015 were screened. We selected 1,177 adolescents aged between 12 and 18 years who were enrolled in middle and high school or on leave of absence and had available data for sleep duration and body mass index (BMI) in the survey. Analyses of variance and covariance were performed after adjusting for confounding variables, including age, gender, waist circumference, and drinking experience, that showed significant correlations in univariate logistic regression.ResultsThe analysis of covariance revealed that an increase in sleep duration led to a corresponding decrease in the mean BMI among all students and middle school students.ConclusionSignificant negative correlations were confirmed between sleep duration and BMI in all students and middle school students.

Comparing the Reading Behaviours of Students with High- and Low-Level Comprehension of Scientific Terms by Eye Movement Analysis

Poor comprehension of specialised terminology presents a significant obstacle that impedes students’ ability to learn science. The present study examined the influences of scientific terminology comprehension on students’ cognitive processes during science-text reading. We used eye-tracking tests to examine science-text reading behaviours among 663 South Korean middle school students in the seventh through ninth grades and compared quantitative differences in eye movement between students with high and low scientific terminology comprehension levels. The results of eye-tracking tests, comprehension assessments, and a questionnaire measuring participants’ familiarity with scientific terminology showed that students with low-level comprehension were less skilful at reading science texts, paid more attention to everyday words and less attention to scientific terms, and did not engage in repeated reading. Conversely, high-comprehension students engaged in longer and more repeated reading of unfamiliar terms. This study presents empirical evidence that the comprehension of scientific terminology is a primary factor influencing difficulties in science reading and learning. The findings suggest the need for teachers to assess students’ comprehension of scientific terminology and devote more time to explicit teaching of such specialised vocabulary.

Briefly Noted

Researchers have found that attention‐deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) may be a risk factor for developing smartphone addiction, based on the neurobiological substrates underlying each separately and those that are shared. The study found a greater than six times likelihood that children with ADHD also had smartphone addiction. The study looked at the prevalence of smartphone addiction and its association with depression, anxiety, and ADHD symptoms in a total of 4,512 South Korean middle and high school students, who completed surveys. There were 338 subjects (7.5%) in the smartphone addiction group. The odds ratio of the ADHD group compared to the non‐ADHD group for smartphone addiction was 6.43, the highest among all variables. The study, “The relationship between smartphone addiction and symptoms of depression, anxiety, and attention‐deficit/hyperactivity in South Korean adolescents” is published in the March issue of the Annals of General Psychiatry.

Association between sexual behavior and suicidal ideation among South Korean middle school students.

To identify the association between sexual behavior and suicidal ideation among South Korean middle school students. This study used raw data from the 2013 Korean Youth Risk Behavior Web-Based Survey. Among the data from 72,435 students, the data from 36,530 individuals in middle school were analyzed. The prevalence of sexual behavior and suicidal ideation, according to the participants' general characteristics, and suicidal ideation, according to sexual behaviors, were assessed by using a complex sample Chi-squared test. A complex sample logistic regression was used to examine the association between sexual behavior and suicidal ideation. Overall, 3.8% of the students reported having had sexual intercourse and 17.6% of the students reported suicidal ideation during the past 12 months. Having had sexual intercourse was statistically significantly associated with suicidal ideation. The students who had had sexual intercourse usually used contraception and those who had contracted sexually transmitted diseases were more likely to report suicidal ideation in both the unadjusted and adjusted models. This study illustrates the need to develop a prevention program that addresses the common factors between sexual behavior and suicidal ideation in order to effectively reduce both sexual behavior and suicidal ideation in middle school students.

How Korean middle school students see inventors: the images of the inventor

One distinguishing feature in terms of national curriculum revisions is the emphasis on invention education in the subject of technology. This study investigates how South Korean middle school students perceive inventors. A manufactured tool for testing and a checklist for evaluating images of inventors were created to assess drawings of 115 8th grade students. The final 108 surveys (from 52 male and 56 female students) were analyzed, and the results were quite similar to those of prior studies that examined how students picture scientists. This research confirmed that students had stereotypical images of inventors. Stereotypical elements that were not depicted in prior studies were also discovered. For example, tools such as spanners, hammers, and screwdrivers, which are used for building and fixing things, were proposed as symbols of research by students. Overcoming such stereotypical representations requires improving stereotypical images of inventors as they are presented in photos and figures of textbooks, developing and implementing educational programs that introduce relevant images of inventors, and changing teachers’ recognition.

Ego-Resiliency, Parenting Style, and Peer Attachment as Predictors of South Korean Middle School Students’ School Adjustment

The purpose of this study is to identify the relative contribution of South Korean middle school students' ego-resiliency, parenting style, and peer attachment in predicting their school adjustment. For this purpose, only South Korean 7th graders’ cross-sectional data of 2016 were extracted from the Korean Children and Youth Panel Survey (KCYPS) and then, using SPSS version 24.0, analyzed by Pearson's correlation coefficient and hierarchical multiple regression. The results were as follows. First, there were significant positive correlations between ego-resiliency, parenting style, peer attachment, and school adjustment variables, except for some relationships within and between sub-variables of them. Second, ego-resiliency, parenting style, and peer attachment made a significant prediction for school adjustment and its sub-variables in order of ego-resiliency, parenting style, and peer attachment. Subsequently, the present research discussed these findings’ implications with the previous works.

Does enjoying friendship help or impede academic achievement? Academic and social intrinsic value profiles predict academic achievement

We examine the intrinsic value students placed on schoolwork (i.e. academic intrinsic value) and social relationships (i.e. social intrinsic value). We then look at how these values predict middle and high school achievement. To do this, we came up with four profiles based on cluster analyses of 6,562 South Korean middle school students. The four are made up of students who are (1) high in both academic and social intrinsic values (Both-High), (2) high in academic and low in social intrinsic value (Academic), (3) low in academic and high in social intrinsic value (Social) and (4) low in both academic and social intrinsic values (Both-Low). For middle schoolers, the highest academic achievement scores belong to students fitting the Academic profile. For high schoolers, however, such scores belong to two profile groups – the Academic and Both-High profiles. The findings suggest that one component fundamentally important to academic achievement is academic intrinsic value.

Development and Evaluation of the Educational Program for South Korean Middle School Students in Preparation for Reunification on North Korean Family Living Culture

본 연구는 통일 한국에 대비하여 통일 후 대한민국의 주축으로 성장할 청소년들을 대상으로 북한의 가정생활문화에 대한 이해를 돕기 위한 교육 프로그램을 개발하는 것을 목적으로 하였다. 이를 위하여 현행 교육과정에서 이루어지는 통일교육과 가정생활문화에 해당하는 선행연구를 고찰하고 이를 근거로 교육 내용을 선정하였다. 교육은 2015년 12월 사이에 서울시내 남녀공학 중학교 1학년 두 개 학급을 대상으로 시행되었다. 교육 내용은 가정교과의 세부 내용학을 중심으로 실생활과 밀접한 식생활, 의생활, 주생활, 가족생활 및 대인관계, 소비생활 및 여가 등의 주제로 12차시 분량으로 준비되었다. 사전-사후 평가에서 소비생활, 여가생활, 아동·가족생활, 식생활, 의생활, 주생활의 모든 분야에서 유의한 효과가 있었다. 또한 학생들의 구술 응답에서도 프로그램의 내용이 실생활에 도움이 될 것이라 하였으며 학기 중에도 이와 같은 교육프로그램이 개설될 것을 희망하였다. 이 프로그램은 남한의 청소년들에게 북한의 가정생활문화의 이해를 도움으로써 앞으로 다가올 미래의 통일한국을 대비 하도록 하는 통일교육 프로그램의 역할을 할 것으로 기대된다.This study aimed at developing an educational program for South Korean adolescents on North Korean family living culture so that the students become familiar with the values and everyday lifestyles of North Korea. Understanding of North Korean culture is considered important as a foundation for social integration in prospect of future reunification. The contents of the program were developed based on the analysis of North Korean defectors’ interviews and review of the literature and media reports on North Korean family culture. The program consists of 12 units of 40-minute sessions with the following topics: economy and consumption, leisure activities, family relationships, dating and spouse choices, fashion changes, clothing acquisition and care, food choices and local diets, dietary problems, housing, and neighborhood. The program was implemented between December 21 and 30, 2015 in a middle school located in Seoul. This program is expected to be useful in preparing the students as future leaders to create harmonious family living culture in the reunified Korea.

Typologies and Characteristics of Adolescent-Peer Delinquency using Latent Class Analysis

Objective Delinquent peers are important predictors of adolescent delinquent behavior. Few studies have classified individuals into groups based on patterns of delinquent behavior among youth and their peers. This study identified latent groups based on adolescent-peer delinquency and examined psychosocial characteristics of each latent group. Methods First, the study employed latent class analysis based on a nationally representative data of South Korean middle school students (N = 2,277). Both adolescent and peer delinquent behaviors comprised 13 items in the questionnaire that was self-reported by adolescents. Second, the study used multivariate regression models to analyze psychosocial symptoms of latent groups and conducted Wald tests to compare differences among latent groups. Results Patterns of adolescent-peer delinquency were classified into six latent groups. “Mutual total delinquent group (1.2%)” showed high rates in most delinquent experiences. “Mutual status delinquent group (5.7%)” mainly experienced status delinquency, “Mutual violence delinquent group (5.3%)” showed high rates of violent delinquency. “Peer-only total high delinquent group (3.8%)” reported friends to have engaged in all types of delinquency and “Peer-only total medium delinquent group (11.8%)” reported peer involvement in multiple status and few violent delinquency. Finally, “low risk group (72.2%)” reported low rates of delinquency for themselves and their friends. Regression analysis showed that every “mutual” delinquent group presented significantly worse psychosocial problems than the “low risk group.” Conclusion Using person centered latent class analysis, this study classified six latent classes while considering both delinquent agents and various types of delinquency and investigated specific groups with greater risk of psychosocial problems. Keywords: juvenile delinquency, delinquent peer, delinquent agent, delinquent type, latent class analysis

The relationship between subjective oral health and dental fear in Korean adolescents.

BackgroundThis study is aimed to evaluate the level of fear and to reduce the overall fear, thereby enabling patients to receive treatment via timely visits.MethodsIn a survey conducted by 460 South Korean middle school students, we used 453 data that faithfully responded to the survey. Multiple regression analysis was conducted to investigate the factors influencing subjective oral health and dental fear. The significance level used for statistical significance was α = 0.05.ResultsThe level of fear was higher for upper grade, female students. The factors affecting dental fear were higher for gingival bleeding and dental pain. Regarding factors for dental fear affecting subjective oral health, lower fear of puncture needle and tooth removal tool resulted in higher subjective oral health.ConclusionThe study found that adolescents had higher fear of dental care when they had gingival bleeding and tooth pain. Gingival bleeding is a symptom of early gingival disease and dental pain is likely due to advanced dental caries. These results suggested that it is necessary to have a program to reduce dental fear and anxiety as well as a program to prevent dental diseases through regular periodic screening and education.

Prevalence of Internet Gaming Disorder among Korean Adolescents and Associations with Non-psychotic Psychological Symptoms, and Physical Aggression.

We examined the prevalence rates of Internet gaming disorder among South Korean middle school students, the dominant symptoms of Internet gaming disorder, and the interrelationships between such disorder and non-psychotic psychological symptoms (ie, anxiety, depression, and impulsiveness) and with physical aggression. Data were collected from a national sample of 2024 students (70.3% gamers; 50.6% boys). Gaming disorder and prevalent symptoms were measured by the 9 diagnostic criteria proposed in DSM-5. Our results showed 5.9% of the sample (boys 10.4%, girls 1.2%) was classified as adolescents with gaming disorder. Meanwhile, 8% (boys 14.2%, girls 5.9%) of the sample was found to be at high risk of gaming disorder. The prevalent symptoms were mood modification, behavioral salience, conflict, withdrawal, and relapse, in that order. A total of 9.2%, 15.1%, and 10.9% of the adolescents with gaming disorder had non-psychotic psychological anxiety, depression, and impulsiveness symptoms, respectively. Nearly 11% of students with Internet gaming disorder had 2 non-psychotic psychological symptoms or more. These results provide supportive empirical evidence that Internet gaming disorder can lead to severe distress and that it can be associated with comorbid symptoms that are relevant to development or continuance of the gaming disorder.

Effect of Middle School Students’ Motivation to Learn Technology on Their Attitudes toward Engineering

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of motivation to learn technology, as perceived by South Korean middle school students, on their attitudes toward engineering. Using the instruments of Glynn et al. (2011) and Lee (2008), the study focused on eighth and ninth grade students in four middle schools located in South Korea’s larger cities. The study identified a positive correlation between middle school students’ motivation to learn technology and their attitudes toward engineering. Also, the engineering interest was found to be mostly affected by motivation to learn technology; and the engineering curriculum and engineering consequence, by career motivation. Based on the educational implications of these study findings, this essay discusses the implementation of engineering in the middle school technology curriculum.