Korean Young Adults Research Articles

Abstract 4113411: Long Term Outcomes of Hypertension and Antihypertensive Drugs in Young Healthy Adults: A Nationwide Population-based Prospective Cohort Study in Korea

Background: Long term follow-up data on elevated blood pressure (BP) or antihypertensive drugs in young adults are scarce. The effect of hypertension (HTN) and antihypertensive medications on the cardiovascular disease incidence in young healthy adults (20~45 years) was analyzed using a large-scale population medical use database in Korea. Methods: In total, 4,590,597 young Korean adults without comorbidities who underwent regular health examination were included in this study. They were stratified into four groups according to their BP (optimal BP, normal BP, high normal BP, and HTN). The primary outcome was a composite of the incidence of myocardial infarction and ischemic and hemorrhagic stroke, obtained by tracking the medical use data of the first-ever ICD-10 codes. Subgroup analysis was conducted by categorizing the HTN group into two subgroups according to the prescription ratios of the antihypertensive drugs during the follow-up period. Results: The average age was 33.8 years and median follow-up duration was 15.9 years. HTN elevated the incidence risk of major cardiovascular disease by 2.16 times compared to that of the optimal BP group. Dyslipidemia and HTN were the most dominant risk factors for myocardial infarction and stroke, respectively. In the subgroup analysis, antihypertensive medications decreased the incidence of cardiovascular disease by 70% in all diseases. Conclusions: Cardiovascular risk factors, including HTN, contribute to major cardiovascular disease incidence in young adults. The antihypertensive medications decreased the major cardiovascular disease incidence estimates.

Associations between the symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux disease and dietary and lifestyle behavior among young Korean adults: a preliminary cross-sectional study

Objectives: Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is a clinical condition caused by esophageal tissue damage resulting from the reflux of stomach or duodenal contents. An increasing number of GERD cases have been reported recently; however, research on this population, especially young adults, is lacking. This study aimed to investigate the dietary and lifestyle factors associated with GERD symptoms in young Korean adults. Methods: A total of 202 individuals (19–34 years old) living in Gwangju were surveyed using a questionnaire to examine their general characteristics, lifestyle, and dietary behaviors. GERD symptoms were investigated using the gastroesophageal reflux disease questionnaire (GerdQ). The participants were grouped into normal (GerdQ score ≤ 4) and caution (GerdQ score ≥ 5), and their characteristics were analyzed according to the group. Results: The findings suggested 15 participants (7.4%) belonged to the GERD caution group. More non-office workers were in the caution group than in the normal group (P < 0.05). The participants’ smoking, physical activity, sleep duration, and pillow height were not significantly different between the GERD phenotypes; however, the caution group consumed alcohol more frequently than the normal group (P < 0.001). The analyses of the participants’ eating behaviors revealed that the frequency of overeating, late-night snacking and chocolate consumption was significantly higher in the caution group (P < 0.001). Conclusion: Lifestyle and dietary behaviors were associated with GERD symptoms in young Korean adults. Further studies with larger cohorts are required to confirm these findings.

Evaluation of beverage consumption patterns and oral health in Korean adolescents and young adults

Objectives: This study aimed to investigate the beverage consumption patterns and analyze the relationship between the frequency of beverage consumption and oral health in Korean adolescents and young adults who consumed large amounts of sugar from beverages. Methods: Data from the 8th Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (2019–2021) were analyzed, and 2,787 individuals aged 12-29 years were selected as the study subjects. A complex sample general linear model was used to assess the associations of subject general characteristics and oral health with the frequency of beverage consumption. Results: Both adolescents and young adults frequently consumed carbonated beverages 2.04 and 2.12 times per week, respectively. The most commonly consumed volume per drink was 200 cc. In both groups, the lower the average number of times teeth were brushed daily, the higher was the frequency of fizzy drink consumption. When teeth were brushed less than once daily, the frequency of carbonated drink consumption was 2.63 in adolescents and 2.22 in young adults. Conclusions: This study highlights the need for oral health education of adolescents and young adults on diet and beverage intake. Additionally, information should be provided on oral diseases associated with beverage consumption, such as dental caries and erosion.

Family communication and courageous coping in Korean adolescents and young adults: a cross-sectional study.

Adolescents and young adults (AYAs) with cancer are a vulnerable population during a critical developmental transition that can benefit from the adoption of courageous coping. Parental support is crucial in enhancing adjustment and coping skills. The linkage between parent-adolescent communication (PAC) and the use of courageous coping (UCC), however, remains unclear. This study examined the association between PAC and UCC and possible mediators of this relationship among Korean AYAs with cancer. In this cross-sectional, correlational study, self-report data were collected from 144 AYAs aged 11-26 years. A path analytic approach was employed using a hierarchical regression model to test for the direct relationship between PAC and UCC and the indirect effects of a proposed primary mediator (family cohesion) and two intermediary mediators (uncertainty of illness, hope) on PAC-UCC relationship. The mean age of the sample was 17 years (SD = 3.8), with 42% currently receiving cancer treatment. Greater PAC was significantly associated with increased UCC (mother figure: p = .0024, father figure: p = .0042). Increased family cohesion significantly mediated the PAC-UCC relationship, indicated by a diminished PAC-UCC relationship after controlling for family cohesion (mother: p = .2753; father: p = .8107). Mediated mediation models indicated that increased hope stemming from decreased uncertainty was the mechanism through which family cohesion impacted the PAC-UCC relationship. Findings underscore that greater PAC can facilitate UCC among Korean AYAs with cancer and provide insights for therapeutic parent-child communication. Results further demonstrate the complex mediating role of fostering family cohesion, reducing uncertainty, and fostering hope can play in the PAC-UCC relationship.

Latent class analysis of attitudes towards drug use and well-being among South Korean young adults

Abstract Background The surge in drug use and lack of awareness about drug-related dangers among young adults have become major public health concerns in South Korea. According to the Theory of Planned Behavior, understanding attitudes towards drugs is crucial, as permissive attitudes may lead to drug use. Thus, the study aims to identify latent classes of drug use attitudes among Korean young adults and evaluate how their well-being influences each class. Methods A total of 301 college students in Seoul, South Korea, participated in the study. Latent class analysis (LCA) was employed to identify unique patterns of attitudes towards drug use. Subsequently, we examined the relationships between auxiliary variables (i.e., well-being, including life satisfaction, self-control, quality of life, depression, generalized anxiety disorder, childhood trauma, self-esteem, stress, family strengths, perceived social support, and stigmatization) and latent classes (i.e., attitudes towards drug use subgroups) by conducting multivariate logistic regression analyses. Results LCA categorized attitudes towards drug use into three groups: Class 1 (Permissive Drug Attitude Group), Class 2 (Moderate Drug Attitude Group), and Class 3 (Critical Drug Attitude Group). Class 2 showed a particularly permissive view on marijuana legalization. In multivariate logistic regression, higher stigmatization (β = .900, p < .05) was associated with membership in Class 1 compared to Class 3. Furthermore, being male (β = 2.272, p < .001) and having higher self-esteem (β = .989, p < .05) were linked to membership in Class 2 compared to Class 3. Conclusions The study enhances understanding of the complex relationship between Korean young adults’ well-being and their drug use attitudes. Effective interventions by frontline social workers aimed at preventing drug use should continuously monitor and address social stigmatization and self-esteem while providing accurate information and education regarding drug use. Key messages • Latent Class Analysis sorted drug attitudes into three groups: ‘Permissive,’ ‘Moderate,’ and ‘Critical’ Attitude Groups. • Individuals experiencing social stigmatization had a higher risk of permissive attitudes, while higher self-esteem increased the likelihood of being in the moderate group over the critical group.

Seasonal and Weekly Patterns of Korean Adolescents' Web Search Activity on Insomnia: Retrospective Study.

Sleep deprivation in adolescents is a common but serious public health issue. Adolescents often have a progressive circadian delay and suffer from insufficient sleep during weekdays due to the school schedule. Temporal patterns in internet search activity data can provide relevant information for understanding the characteristic sleep problems of the adolescent population. We aimed to reveal whether adolescents exhibit distinct temporal seasonal and weekly patterns in internet search activity on insomnia compared to adults. We hypothesized that adolescents exhibit larger variations in the internet search volume for insomnia, particularly in association with the school schedule (e.g., academic vacations and weekends). We extracted the daily search volume for insomnia in South Korean adolescents (13-18 years old), adults (19-59 years old), and young adults (19-24 years old) during the years 2016-2019 using NAVER DataLab, the most popular search engine in South Korea. The daily search volume data for each group were normalized with the annual median of each group. The time series of the search volume was decomposed into slow fluctuation (over a year) and fast fluctuation (within a week) using fast Fourier transform. Next, we compared the normalized search volume across months in a year (slow fluctuation) and days in a week (fast fluctuation). In the annual trend, 2-way ANOVA revealed a significant (group) × (month) interaction (P<.001). Adolescents exhibited much greater seasonal variations across a year than the adult population (coefficient of variation=0.483 for adolescents vs 0.131 for adults). The search volume for insomnia in adolescents was notably higher in January, February, and August, which are academic vacation periods in South Korea (P<.001). In the weekly pattern, 2-way ANOVA revealed a significant (group) × (day) interaction (P<.001). Adolescents showed a considerably increased search volume on Sunday and Monday (P<.001) compared to adults. In contrast, young adults demonstrated seasonal and weekly patterns similar to adults. Adolescents demonstrate distinctive seasonal and weekly patterns in internet searches on insomnia (ie, increased search in vacation months and weekend-weekday transitions), which are closely associated with the school schedule. Adolescents' sleep concerns might be potentially affected by the disrupted daily routine and the delayed sleep phase during vacations and weekends. As we demonstrated, comparing various age groups in infodemiology and infoveillance data might be helpful in identifying distinctive features in vulnerable age groups.

8156 Exploring Gender-Specific Characteristics Of Diabetes Among Young Adults In Korea: The Korea National Health And Nutrition Examination Survey 2011-2012 And 2019-2020

Abstract Disclosure: C. Chung: None. Background: The escalating global incidence of diabetes among young adults could be linked to dynamic socio-environmental changes including pandemic and climate shifts. In this investigation, we aimed to discern the distinct features of diabetes among young adults in Korea. Methods: This cross-sectional study included 63,489,047 Korean young adults (32,173,248 male, 31,315,799 female) aged 20-39 years who participated in the Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2011-2012 and 2020-2021. Diabetes cases were identified through hospital diagnoses or the prescription of insulin or non-insulinemic anti-diabetic medications. The significant insulin resistance was defined as HOMA-IR above 2.9. Complex sampling design and cross-tabulation analyses were used to examine both socioeconomic and laboratory factors. Results: The prevalence of diabetes was higher in men in both 2011-2012 and 2020-2021 (Men vs. Women, 2011-2012: 2.2 ± 0.5 vs. 1.2 ± 0.3 %, p&amp;lt;0.001; 2020-2021: 3.0 ± 0.5 vs. 1.6 ± 0.3 %, p&amp;lt;0.001). The use of insulin and oral hypoglycemic agent (OHA) was comparable between men and women in 2011-2012 (Insulin: 18.1 ± 8.2 vs. 5.2 ± 5.1 %, p=0.305; OHA, 18.2 ± 6.3 vs. 19.5 ± 6.5 %, p=0.239), but more women used insulin and more men used OHA in 2020-2021 (Insulin: 5.3 ± 3.7 vs. 28.7 ± 9.4 %, p=0.016; OHA: 31.4 ± 7.7 vs. 19.6 ± 7.3 %, p=0.009). Execution of fundus exam (25.7 ± 10.6 vs. 68.5 ± 14.1 %, p=0.021) and diagnosis of diabetic retinopathy (0 vs. 8.9 ± 3.3 %, p=0.001) was higher in women in 2020-2021. HbA1c was higher in men in 2020-2021 (8.1 ± 0.4 vs. 7.3 ± 0.3 %, p &amp;lt;0.001), but was similar between men and women in 2011-2012 (8.4 ± 0.6 vs. 8.1 ± 0.6 %, p=0.697). Obesity, one of the most common comorbidities of diabetes, was higher in women in 2011-2012 (24.8 ± 4.8 vs. 79.4 ± 9.3 %, p&amp;lt;0.001), but was higher in men in 2020-2021 (94.4 ± 2.9 vs. 67.8 ± 11.0 %, p&amp;lt;0.001). The factors associated with increase in HOMA-IR in 2020-2021 was different between men and women. Unexpectedly, men with low mental stress showed positive correlation with HOMA-IR (B = 3.9, 95% CI 0.1-7.7, p=0.047). For women, mental stress did not affect HOMA-IR, but those with regular anaerobic exercise (B = -10.5, 95% CI -18.3 - -2.6, p=0.011) and stable employment status (B = -11.9, 95% CI -19.4 - -4.8, p=0.002) presented negative correlation with HOMA-IR. Conclusion: In comparison to before the COVID-19 pandemic, men diabetic patients showed more obese tendency after COVID-19, and there was also a statistically significant difference in HbA1c disparity with women. The higher prevalence of diabetic retinopathy despite of lower HbA1c in women during pandemic era needs to be further investigated in well-designed cohort study. Presentation: 6/3/2024

Genetic polymorphisms and their association with methotrexate polyglutamates during maintenance treatment in Korean children and young adults with acute lymphoblastic leukemia

The aim of this study was to investigate the impact of genetic polymorphisms on methotrexate (MTX) metabolism in Korean children and young adults with acute lymphoblastic leukemia, specifically focusing on MTX polyglutamates (MTX-PGs) in erythrocytes, which have been rarely studied. Korean children and young adult patients undergoing maintenance therapy for acute lymphoblastic leukemia, who were receiving weekly oral MTX doses of 20 mg/m²/week, were prospectively included. We investigated erythrocyte MTX-PG (PG1 to PG5) levels, MTX-PG/MTX dose ratios, and 222 genetic polymorphisms spanning 78 genes and three intergenic areas related to MTX transport, folate cycle metabolism, purine/pyrimidine pathways, and non-pathway genes (including TPMT and NUDT15 genotypes) to explore their association with MTX metabolism. MTX-PG levels were associated with MTX dose (p < 0.05), and MTX-PG3 comprised the majority of the total MTX-PGs, with a median of 39.3 %. Various polymorphisms within the same gene demonstrated differing associations with each type of MTX-PG, underscoring the complexity of MTX pharmacogenetics. Among the polymorphisms examined, 14 across 13 genes showed significant associations with MTX-PG2–5 levels, even after adjusting for the false discovery rate (ABCC5, ATG16L1, CEP72, FSTL5, GMPS, HTR3A, IMPDH1, NT5C2, SLC28A3, SLCO1B3, SUCLA2, TPMT, and TYMS). This study enhances our understanding of genetic polymorphisms in MTX metabolism and therapeutic monitoring for MTX maintenance, promoting personalized medicine in acute lymphoblastic leukemia patients.

Association Between Antidepressants and Antianxiety Medications and Weight Gain in Korean Adults Aged 19-39 Years.

The number of young Koreans using antidepressants and antianxiety medications is increasing. Studies evaluating the association between these medications and weight gain are limited. We investigated this association among Korean young adults. We included 792,022 participants aged 19-39 years who underwent Korean National Health Insurance Service health examinations more than twice between 2009 and 2019. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed to evaluate the association between antidepressants and antianxiety medications and weight gain. The participants' average age and body mass index were 29.4±4.7 years and 23.0±3.6 kg/m2, respectively. The proportions of weight gain ≥10 kg/year were 1.7%; 2.4%; 2.9%; and 4.1% in individuals using neither antidepressants nor antianxiety medications; only antianxiety medications; only antidepressants; and both antidepressants and antianxiety medications, respectively. Compared with individuals using neither antidepressants nor antianxiety medications, the rate ratios (95% confidence intervals) for weight gain ≥10 kg/year were higher in those using only antianxiety medications; only antidepressants; and both antidepressants and antianxiety medications; at 1.77 (1.69-1.85); 2.15 (2.05-2.0); and 3.04 (2.91-3.18), respectively. Using antidepressants and antianxiety medications may contribute to an increased risk of weight gain among Korean young adults. The potential risk for weight gain should be considered when those medications are used and the prevention of weight gain is needed.

Living with parents or attaining residential independence? A comparative study of young adults’ living arrangements in China and South Korea

This study examines the living arrangements of never-married urban young adults in China and South Korea from 2003 to 2018. Using data from the Chinese General Social Survey and the Korean General Social Survey, we investigate the relationship between socioeconomic status and young adults’ living arrangements. Our findings show that a majority of Korean young adults lived with their parents during the observed time period, while Chinese young adults experienced large shifts in their living arrangements. Findings from weighted logistic models demonstrate that employed or high-income young adults were more likely to leave the parental home than those who were not working, suggesting the important role of economic security in independent living. Highly educated young adults in China tended to have residential independence, while education was not significantly associated with Korean young adults’ living arrangements. Korean young adults with highly educated fathers were more likely to stay with parents. The interconnection between family socioeconomic characteristics at the micro level and variations in opportunity structures at the macro level results in country-specific patterns of living arrangements.

Korean Young Adults’ Perceived Intergenerational and Digital Solidarity with Their Grandparents: Associations with Life Satisfaction During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Korean Young Adults’ Perceived Intergenerational and Digital Solidarity with Their Grandparents: Associations with Life Satisfaction During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Specific Foods Associated with Depressive Symptoms among Young Adults and Their Bioactive Effects.

Depression represents a widespread and devastating psychiatric public health challenge globally. It is particularly prevalent among young adults in Korea. Certain foods may have medicinal properties that alleviate depressive symptoms. This study aimed to examine the association between specific foods and depressive symptoms among young adults, exploring their bioactive effects and possible mechanisms. We conducted a cross-sectional study involving 1000 Korean young adults aged 18-39 years. Food frequency questionnaires were used to assess diets and their associations with depressive symptoms. Results from multivariable logistic regression analysis indicated associations between several specific foods and their effects: milk (odds ratio = 0.58, 95% confidence interval: 0.36-0.94), eggs (0.55, 0.35-0.87), bananas (0.58, 0.36-0.94), oranges (0.62, 0.40-0.96), sweet potatoes (0.60, 0.37-0.97), mushrooms (0.53, 0.31-0.92, females only), and kimchi (0.40, 0.17-0.95, males only). Furthermore, molecular docking indicated that hesperidin had the highest docking score of 5.86 in oranges. Several bioactive compounds identified as potentially beneficial in combatting depression include calcium, casein, alpha-lactalbumin, tryptophan (TRP), vitamin B6 and B12, magnesium, flavonoids (especially hesperidin), carotenoids, ergothioneine, fiber, and probiotics. To recommend these foods in the management of depression among young adults, further clinical intervention studies are necessary.

서울시 미혼 청년 1인가구의 결혼의향 관련요인 탐색

This study investigated whether attitudes, subjective norms, and perceived behavioral control regarding marriage were associated with marital intentions among unmarried young adults from single-person households in Seoul, based on the theory of planned behavior. We analyzed 460 unmarried Seoul residents between 20-39 years old who lived alone. The pooled dataset from the Seoul Family Survey, conducted in 2021 and 2022, was utilized. Multiple regression analyses showed that marital intentions were higher when the respondents were male, younger, and in a relationship. We also found that more positive attitudes toward marriage and a higher perceived likelihood of obtaining a stable job were associated with stronger marital intentions. These findings underscore the importance of addressing factors, such as attitudes toward marriage and perceptions of job stability when understanding young Korean adults’ intentions to marry.

What differentiates suicidal ideation from depressive symptoms amongst Korean young adults aged 20–39 years?

This study aimed to examine and compare factors influencing depressive symptoms from those influencing suicidal ideation in Korean adults aged 20–39 years. Data were collected from September 15 to 23, 2021 using an online survey company because of the limitations of face-to-face surveys during the coronavirus 2019 pandemic. Participants were also recruited from the Seoul Suicide Prevention Center. Suicidal ideation, depressive symptoms, and general health and demographic characteristics were determined based on existing standardized questionnaires. Multiple logistic regression analysis was used to determine associations with depressive symptoms and suicidal ideation. Based on data from 1014 participants, age, sex, alcohol consumption, sleep duration, and stress were associated with depressive symptoms. In contrast, income, subjective health status, and stress were found to influence suicidal ideation; the effect of income disappeared when adjusted for depression. Lower income, poor subjective health status, higher stress levels, and depression were associated with a higher risk of suicidal ideation. These findings suggest that depression and suicidal ideation have distinct influencing factors and that simply viewing depression as a risk factor for suicidal ideation may lead to other important factors being overlooked.

Metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease increases the risk of type 2 diabetes mellitus in young Korean adults

AimsTo investigate the impact of Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Fatty Liver Disease (MAFLD) on the risk of type 2 diabetes mellitus in young Korean adults. MethodsData were sourced from the Korean National Health Insurance Service-Health Screening Cohort, comprising adults aged 20–39 who underwent health examinations between 2009 and 2012. Participants were grouped based on the presence of MAFLD and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), both individually and in combination. The categorizations included Neither-FLD, NAFLD-only, MAFLD-only, or Both-FLD. Incident diabetes was identified through claims data during the follow-up period. ResultsAmong 6,232,656 participants, 676,747 (10.8 %) had MAFLD. During a median follow-up of 9.5 years, 182,291 incident diabetes cases were identified. Multivariate analysis revealed a significantly higher diabetes risk in the MAFLD group compared to those in the Non-MAFLD group (HR = 6.148, 95 % CI, 6.084–6.212). Notably, diabetes incidence was highest in FLI ≥ 60 subgroup with BMI ≥ 23 and metabolic syndrome. ConclusionsMAFLD is associated with a 6.1-fold increased diabetes risk in young adults, underscoring the urgent need for early intervention to mitigate this risk.

Food neophobia amongst young Korean adults in their 20s: Its association with preference, acceptance, and perceived intake of fruits and vegetables

This study aimed to investigate whether FN (food neophobia) persistence into adulthood could be associated with preference, acceptance, and perceived daily intake of FV (fruits and vegetables) among young Korean adults in their 20s, along with exploring the moderating role of the frequency of FV consumption during childhood. An online survey was conducted from February 19 to 24, 2020 with 1277 young Korean adults (men: 570, women: 707). Hierarchical multiple regressions were performed to examine the associations between FN and FV preference and acceptance. Multinomial logistic regressions were conducted to explore the association of FN with perceived daily intake of FV. Generally, the study results showed that FN had a significant negative association with preference, acceptance, and perceived daily intake of FV among young Korean adults in their 20s. These negative associations seemed more pronounced with vegetables than with fruits. In addition, the results revealed that the frequency of FV consumption in childhood was likely to have a significant positive association with preference, acceptance, and perceived daily intake of FV later in young adulthood. Overall, the current study implies that more timely interventional efforts to improve FN are required to promote FV consumption in early adulthood and beyond. It may contribute to the development of dietary interventions or policy measures to promote FV consumption among young Korean adults and further serve as a reference for future studies on adult FN.

Questionnaire-Based Survey of Diabetes Self-Care Activities and Barriers among Young Korean Adults with Early-Onset Diabetes.

Self-management of diabetes is a significant challenge. This study aimed to assess diabetes self-care activities and barriers among Korean young adults with diabetes mellitus. This study recruited 209 Korean adults with diabetes, with an onset age of 20-39 years, from four university hospitals. Demographic characteristics and the Summary of Diabetes Self-Care Activities (SDSCA) measure and Diabetes Self-Care Barriers Assessment Scale for Older Adults (DSCB-OA) scores were assessed using questionnaires. The average age of study participants was 32.9±6.1 years. Their self-care activities, including adherence to recommended diabetes medication (5.6±2.4) and number of diabetes pills (5.5±2.3) in the SDSCA measure, were the most well-performed activities among all domains. Responses to inspection of the inside of shoes in the foot care activity (0.8±1.5) and specific exercise sessions in the exercise activity (1.6±1.9) reflected poor levels of compliance. According to the DSCB-OA questionnaire, the mean diabetes self-care barrier of DSCB-OA was 20.6±5.0 of total score 45. The greater perceived barriers to self-care on the DSCB-OA were having difficulty exercising regularly (1.9±0.7) and eating three meals and snacks leading to weight gain (1.9±0.8). Young adults with early-onset diabetes showed a greater barrier to regular exercise and poor compliance with foot care and blood sugar testing. Healthcare providers must strengthen their relationship with young adults with diabetes to provide more education and guidelines for lifestyle modification focused on exercise and to promote higher compliance with diabetic self-care activities for improving clinical outcomes.

Validity of the Smombie Scale: Sensitivity and specificity in identifying pedestrian risk group.

The objective of this study was to determine the most effective cut-off point for the Smombie Scale and evaluate its ability to screen for pedestrian safety risks among young adults. Data were obtained from an online sample of 396 Korean young adults aged 18-39 years. Latent profile analysis was used to distinguish the risk group as a reference measure for the Smombie Scale. Discriminative power was assessed using sensitivity, specificity, receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves, and the area under the ROC curve. The cut-off points were estimated from the Youden index and the balanced score. The latent profile analysis showed two different classes: "risk group" of 17.8% and "others." Based on the latent profile analysis, sensitivity, and specificity analysis showed that an adequate cut-off point of 2.78 of five points or higher was associated with a high risk of distracted walking. The Smombie Scale is a good predictor of problematic smartphone use on the road and can be used as a screening tool for assessing risk levels among young adult pedestrians.

Abstract C101: Development of an educational text messaging program to improve human papillomavirus awareness, knowledge, and vaccination intention among Korean young adults in the U.S.

Abstract Background: Human papillomavirus (HPV) is the most common sexually transmitted infection in the U.S. Cervical cancer (CC) is the most common HPV-associated cancer, and Korean Americans (KAs) experience one of the highest CC incidence and mortality rates among Asian Americans. Awareness and knowledge of HPV and HPV vaccine are essential in preventing HPV-associated cancers; however, studies emphasize low HPV awareness and knowledge among KAs. Although HPV causes cancers in both men and women, there exist misconceptions that the HPV vaccine is only for women and not for men. Furthermore, research on HPV vaccination among KAs has been conducted mostly among women. The health belief model (HBM) is a value-expectancy theory that is used to explain and predict individual changes in health behaviors and has been used in multiple studies that aimed to understand HPV vaccination behavior. Purpose: The purpose of this study is to develop an HBM guided text messaging program to increase HPV awareness, knowledge, and HPV vaccination among Korean young adults in the U.S. Methods: A total of 10 Korean young adults between the ages of 18 and 26 completed the mixed methods study. The survey examined HPV, HPV vaccine, and cervical cancer awareness and knowledge, beliefs, and vaccination intention. The qualitative interview with cognitive response testing (CRT) of the text messages, which were preconstructed based on previous literature and six constructs of HBM, allowed participants to provide feedback on the comprehension and emotional response to the messages, and any other recommendations to improve the content and delivery of the messages. Results: All participants (N=10) indicated to have never received the HPV vaccine and most participants had no intention to receive the HPV vaccine within one year. Although most of the participants were aware of HPV and HPV vaccine, overall knowledge of HPV, HPV vaccine, and cervical cancer were low. The interviews revealed that reasons for vaccine hesitancy and non-vaccination included cost, inconvenience, and low perceived susceptibility. Especially, there was low perception of the importance of HPV vaccination for males. Overall, findings from the CRT showed that there was a clear understanding of the preconstructed text messages. There was a consensus on the duration and timing of the messages and participants provided recommendations on the content, tone, and structure of the messages. Using the HBM, participants’ feedback on HPV awareness, knowledge, and vaccination intention, the text messaging library was revised and includes a total of 9 text messages over the four days. Conclusions: This study provides important insights into the development of an educational text messaging program among Korean young adults in the U.S. Current study will build a foundation for an educational mobile health program to help increase awareness and knowledge of HPV and HPV-associated cancers, as well as HPV vaccination intention, and impact HPV-associated cancer rates among KAs through vaccination in the long term. Citation Format: Min Jeong Jeon, Daisy Le. Development of an educational text messaging program to improve human papillomavirus awareness, knowledge, and vaccination intention among Korean young adults in the U.S. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 16th AACR Conference on the Science of Cancer Health Disparities in Racial/Ethnic Minorities and the Medically Underserved; 2023 Sep 29-Oct 2;Orlando, FL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2023;32(12 Suppl):Abstract nr C101.

미혼 청년의 동거의향, 결혼의향, 출산의향에 따른 잠재유형 및 유형별 특성

In this study, we aimed to identify the latent profiles of unmarried Korean young adults’ intentions to cohabit (either without considering getting married or as a process of marriage), to marry, and to have a child. We also investigated the predictors of the profile membership with a particular emphasis on the young adults’ perceptions of emerging adulthood. Using a sample of 1,119 never-married, childless young adults aged 19-34 years, our latent profile analysis classified four latent profiles based on the levels of their intentions to cohabit, to marry, and to have a child: (a) Intimacy Seekers (51.1%), (b) Partnership Seekers (33.8%), (c) Intimacy Avoiders (8.6%), and (d) Traditional Norm Followers (6.4%). Intimacy Seekers were individuals with strong intentions to cohabit, to marry, and to have a child. Partnership Seekers were young adults who inclined toward cohabitation and marriage but exhibited low intentions to have a child. Those who perceived the current life stage as an opportunity for “identity explorations” were more likely to be categorized as Intimacy Seekers than Intimacy Avoiders and Partnership Seekers. Those who felt they were “in-between” were more likely to be classified as Intimacy Avoiders and Traditional Norm Followers than Intimacy Seekers. This study contributes to the literature by offering insights into the heterogeneity among unmarried Korean young adults.