Korean Young Adults Research Articles

Measure of perceived social support from family, friends, and healthcare providers for Korean adolescents and young adults with cancer

ObjectiveAssessing the perceived social support (PSS) that adolescents and young adults (AYAs) with cancer receive from family, friends, and healthcare providers is critical to promoting their adjustment. This study developed a reliable and comprehensive self-report PSS assessment tool that measures various aspects of social support by translating existing measurements into Korean. MethodsThe translation was completed in accordance with international guidelines. To focus on cultural adaptation, the main ideas associated with items were translated to reflect the differences between Western and Eastern culture. In total, 144 Korean AYAs with cancer (mean age: 17.0 years; 45.8% female) completed the translated version. A separate principal component analysis (PCA) with an orthogonal quartimax rotation, a minimum eigenvalue of 1.0, and minimum factor loadings of 0.50 was used for each subscale. Cronbach's alpha coefficients were calculated for each PCA-derived subscale. ResultsFour subscales with 46 items were identified. Two subscales represented perceived emotional support within the family (PSS-ESF, 14 items) and the AYA's perceived helpfulness within the family (PSS-HWF, 3 items). The third scale represented the perceived support of friends (PSS-Friends, 14 items). The final scale represented the perceived support of healthcare providers (PSS-HCPs, 15 items). Excellent reliability per subscale was demonstrated (Cronbach's alpha: 0.93 for PSS-ESF, 0.73 for PSS-HWF, and 0.92 each for PSS-Friends and PSS-HCPs). ConclusionsA culturally adapted and reliable Korean version questionnaire with four independent subscales was developed. Further assessment of the Korean PSS is required and will contribute to the development of culturally adapted and tailored interventions.

Nutrient Inadequacy in Korean Young Adults with Depression: A Case Control Study

The role of diet is gaining attention among the modifiable factors associated with depression; thus, this case–control study examined the association between nutrition and depression in young Korean adults. Dietary surveys in individuals with depression (n = 39) and age- and gender-matched controls (n = 76) were conducted using food records and food frequency questionnaires. Men with depression consumed less mushrooms and meat, while women consumed significantly less grains (p < 0.05). Overall, the depression group consumed less energy and nutrients, and the difference was more pronounced in men. The male depression group had lower nutrient adequacy ratio (NAR) for energy, protein, vitamin A, thiamine, niacin, folate, and phosphorus, whereas the female depression group had lower NARs for energy, protein, niacin, and vitamin B12. The depression group had a significantly lower mean adequacy ratio in both genders. Furthermore, the proportion of inappropriate nutrient intake was higher in both genders of the depression group, exhibiting significant differences in energy, protein, niacin, folate, and zinc in men and energy, riboflavin, folate, and vitamin C in women. Hence, both men and women in the depression group had poor nutrient intake and high rates of nutrient inadequacy and improper consumption. This suggests that the quantity and quality of meals should be improved for individuals with depressive symptoms.

The rise of the childless single in South Korea

AbstractWe review the literature to show why South Korea is witnessing a dramatic rise in young adults who opt into childless singlehood. We argue that social change occurred over a compressed amount of time in South Korea. Confucian familism and ideational factors specific to the Second Demographic Transition (SDT) coexist and collide. The demands of Confucian familism also tend to be incompatible with the socioeconomic realities facing young adults. Influenced by the ideational factors characterizing the SDT, young adults may feel that it is acceptable to forego marriage. However, due to the strong influence of Confucianism on the institution of marriage, they may perceive married life to be largely inflexible. Thus, when confronted with incompatibilities between married life and other life domains, growing shares of Korean young adults may avoid married life and opt for childless singlehood.

Relationship between Grateful Disposition and Subjective Happiness of Korean Young Adults: Focused on Double Mediating Effect of Social Support and Positive Interpretation

This study aimed to identify the relationship between grateful disposition and the subjective happiness of young adults; it examined a sequential double mediating effect model of social support and positive interpretation on this relationship. The study participants included 389 male and female Korean young adults. The Korean version of Gratitude Questionnaire-6, a modified subscale of the SU Mental Health Test, Iverson et al.'s scale for social support, and the Subjective Happiness Scale were used. PROCESS Macro 3.5 Model 6 was used to analyze the double mediating effect. The correlation analysis showed that grateful disposition was positively correlated with social support, positive interpretation, and subjective happiness in young adults. Moreover, social support was positively correlated with positive interpretation and subjective happiness, whereas positive interpretation was positively correlated with subjective happiness. In addition, the sequential mediating effect of social support and positive interpretation on grateful disposition and the subjective happiness of young adults was significant. This study confirmed the determinant roles of social support and positive interpretation in grateful disposition and the subjective happiness of young adults, providing useful information for planning future studies and developing education materials and interventions for cultivating grateful disposition in childhood and promoting happiness in young adults.

Automated diagnosis of flatfoot using cascaded convolutional neural network for angle measurements in weight-bearing lateral radiographs.

Diagnosis of flatfoot using a radiograph is subject to intra- and inter-observer variabilities. Here, we developed a cascade convolutional neural network (CNN)-based deep learning model (DLM) for an automated angle measurement for flatfoot diagnosis using landmark detection. We used 1200 weight-bearing lateral foot radiographs from young adult Korean males for the model development. An experienced orthopedic surgeon identified 22 radiographic landmarks and measured three angles for flatfoot diagnosis that served as the ground truth (GT). Another orthopedic surgeon (OS) and a general physician (GP) independently identified the landmarks of the test dataset and measured the angles using the same method. External validation was performed using 100 and 17 radiographs acquired from a tertiary referral center and a public database, respectively. The DLM showed smaller absolute average errors from the GT for the three angle measurements for flatfoot diagnosis compared with both human observers. Under the guidance of the DLM, the average errors of observers OS and GP decreased from 2.35° ± 3.01° to 1.55° ± 2.09° and from 1.99° ± 2.76° to 1.56° ± 2.19°, respectively (both p < 0.001). The total measurement time decreased from 195 to 135min in observer OS and from 205 to 155min in observer GP. The absolute average errors of the DLM in the external validation sets were similar or superior to those of human observers in the original test dataset. Our CNN model had significantly better accuracy and reliability than human observers in diagnosing flatfoot, and notably improved the accuracy and reliability of human observers. • Development of deep learning model (DLM) that allows automated angle measurements for landmark detection based on 1200 weight-bearing lateral radiographs for diagnosing flatfoot. • Our DLM showed smaller absolute average errors for flatfoot diagnosis compared with two human observers. • Under the guidance of the model, the average errors of two human observers decreased and total measurement time also decreased from 195 to 135min and from 205 to 155min.

Factors affecting the transition to adulthood of Korean young adults with spina bifida: a qualitative study

BackgroundTransition to adulthood to live independently while self-managing health and daily life without parental help is crucial for young adults with chronic conditions. Despite its importance as a precursor to effectively managing lifelong conditions, little is known about the experiences of young adults with spina bifida (SB) in transition to adulthood in Asian countries. This study aimed to explore the experiences of Korean young adults with SB to identify the facilitators or barriers to the transition from adolescence to adulthood from their perspectives.MethodsThis study used a qualitative descriptive design. The data were collected in South Korea through three focus group interviews with 16 young adults with SB, aged 19–26, from August to November 2020. We conducted a qualitative content analysis using a conventional approach to identify the factors that facilitated and hindered the participants’ transition to adulthood.ResultsTwo themes emerged as facilitators and barriers to the transition to adulthood. a) Facilitators: understanding and acceptance of SB, acquiring self-management skills, parenting styles encouraging autonomy, parents’ emotional support, school teachers’ thoughtful consideration, and participation in self-help groups. b) Barriers: overprotective parenting style, experience of being bullied by peers, damaged self-concept, concealing one’s chronic condition from others, and the lack of privacy in school restrooms.ConclusionsKorean young adults with SB shared their experiences of struggling to properly manage their chronic conditions on their own, particularly concerning regular bladder emptying, during the transition from adolescence to adulthood. To facilitate the transition to adulthood, education on the SB and self-management for adolescents with SB and on parenting styles for their parents are important. To eliminate barriers to the transition to adulthood, improving negative perceptions of disability among students and teachers and making school restrooms CIC-friendly are needed.

Validation of data mining models by comparing with conventional methods for dental age estimation in Korean juveniles and young adults

Teeth are known to be the most accurate age indicators of human body and are frequently applied in forensic age estimation. We aimed to validate data mining-based dental age estimation, by comparing the accuracy of the estimation and classification performance of 18-year thresholds with conventional methods and with data mining-based age estimation. A total of 2657 panoramic radiographs were collected from Koreans and Japanese populations aged 15 to 23 years. They were subdivided into a training and internal test set of 900 radiographs each from Koreans, and an external test set of 857 radiographs from Japanese. We compared the accuracy and classification performance of the test sets from conventional methods with those from the data mining models. The accuracy of the conventional method with the internal test set was slightly higher than that of the data mining models, with a slight difference (mean absolute error < 0.21 years, root mean square error < 0.24 years). The classification performance of the 18-year threshold was also similar between the conventional method and the data mining models. Thus, conventional methods can be replaced by data mining models in forensic age estimation using second and third molar maturity of Korean juveniles and young adults.

Variability of oral/taste sensitivity to fat: An investigation of attribution from detection threshold methods with repeated measurements

Accumulating psychophysical evidence suggests substantial individual variability in oral/taste sensitivity to non-esterified, long-chain fatty acids (NEFA), which is commonly referred to as fat taste or oleogustus. Recent studies have sought to determine its associations with human factors such as body mass index (BMI) and food preferences, as it has been claimed that excessive fat consumption is related to several health conditions, including obesity. Yet, the findings are controversial. On the other hand, it has been noted that considerable variability also occurs based on the methodology used to measure the fatty acid taste. Specifically, learning effects have been observed over repeated measurements of the detection threshold of NEFA, yet there has been no methodology available to take into account these learning effects. Accordingly, in the present study, a novel methodology using a descending-block dual reminder A-Not A (DR A-Not A) method with a warm-up has been proposed to measure the NEFA detection threshold based on the signal detection theory and considering NEFA taste learning effects over repeated sessions. Homogeneous subjects (young adult Korean females within the normal BMI range, non-vegetarians) were randomized to either the novel descending-block DR A-Not A method or ascending triangle method that is commonly used for fat perception studies. Pure oleic acid emulsions were used as fat taste stimuli to be discriminated from pure mineral water. Each subject completed 14 repeated visits. For the ascending triangle method, 14 thresholds were determined using a stopping rule, while for the novel method, 7 thresholds were determined each per two consecutive days, using a criterion of a lower limit of 50% confidence interval of d' = 0.5, considering the practical aspects of taste studies in food sensory science. Based on the group median results of the last two visits, the variability of the detection thresholds was reduced using the novel descending-block DR A-Not A method due to better learning effects over repeated sessions. This shows the potential of the descending-block DR A-Not A threshold method for further studies on oral/taste sensitivity to fat.

Physicochemical and sensory characteristics of commercially available rice-based Doenjang and their correlation to consumer acceptability for Korean young adults.

There is an increased demand for rice doenjang by consumers who are allergic to beans as well as for those seeking diverse flavors. The objective of this study was to characterize the physicochemical and sensory characteristics of commercially available rice-based doenjang in Korea and to identify the perception of Korean consumers about rice-based doenjang. Rice doenjang exhibited a lower pH, acid value, and an NH3-N content, as well as a higher total sugar, reducing sugar, and alcohol content than soybean doenjang. Descriptive analysis results revealed that rice doenjang made in Korea has similar aroma characteristics as in miso, such as Katsuobushi aromatic. The rice doenjang purchased from Japan was characterized by high intensities of sweet attributes, such as butter cracker, grape juice, and pineapple. Consumers preferred soybean doenjang instead of rice doenjang among three doenjang samples. These results suggest that the familiarity of soybean-based doenjang affects consumer preference and choice.

Causes of a Low Measles Seroprevalence among Young Healthcare Workers in Korea.

Sporadic measles outbreaks have continued to occur in Korea, mainly in adults in their 20s and 30s, most notably in 2014 and 2019. We here evaluated the possible causes of a low seroprevalance of measles by testing young healthcare workers (HCWs). This study was conducted in a 2,743-bed tertiary-care hospital in Seoul between 2020 and 2021. We performed a measles antibody test (chemiluminescence immunoassay), measured the IgM/IgG index ratio, and conducted an avidity test at 1-month after Measles-Mumps-Rubella (MMR) vaccination in HCWs who had been seronegative for measles. Measles vaccination histories were obtained from the national vaccine registry. Of the 3,173 HCWs newly employed in our hospital during the study period, 54 with a negative measles IgG at commencement were enrolled. Thirty six (67%) of these subjects were female, and the median age was 25 years (interquartile range [IQR]: 24 - 27). Fourty nine (91%) showed seroconversion at 1 month after the first vaccination. Of these individuals, 38 received both measles IgM and IgG test, and all had an IgM/IgG index <1. Of the 49 seroconverters, all HCWs showed a high avidity index. According to the national immunization registry, 45 (83%) received at least 2 doses of an MMR vaccination. Secondary vaccine failure may underlie vaccine failure in young Korean adults. HCWs born after 1985 with a negative measles antibody may need only a single dose booster vaccination rather than a 2-dose vaccination regimen.

Associations of cooking practices and healthy eating habits among young Korean adults in their 20s

The study aimed to explore the association between cooking practices and healthy eating habits among young Korean adults in their 20s. An online survey was conducted from 19th to 24th February 2021 among young Korean adults in their 20s and 1102 responses were collected. Cooking practices were measured using the Cooking and Food Provisioning Action Scale which comprises the three sub-scales of self-efficacy (13 items), attitude (10 items) and structure (5 items) to capture the participants' ability to procure and prepare food within the contexts of their social, physical and economic environment. The healthy eating habits were measured based on how much they adhere to the Common Dietary Guidelines for Koreans (11 items), which details the basic common rules for a desirable diet. Hierarchical linear multiple regressions were performed to examine the associations between cooking practices and healthy eating habits, controlling for participants’ socio-demographic characteristics. The overall model accounted for 21.6% of the variance in healthy eating habits, of which 16.5% was explained by cooking practices. However, among the three sub-scales of cooking practices, only self-efficacy was a significant predictor of healthy eating habits, whereas attitude and structure had no significant association. Most socio-demographic characteristics remained significant in the final model. Notably, there was a significant negative effect on healthy eating habits in single-person or lower income households, who are socially deprived. These results add further support for a growing concern to implement interventions and public policies to promote healthy eating habits integrating cooking self-efficacy among young adults.

Ground reaction force and plantar pressure distribution data Korean young adults during barefoot walking

Gait analysis has been used to evaluate disease progression and efficiency of rehabilitation. This study aimed to establish the population database of the vertical ground reaction force and plantar pressure time-series data during walking. Plantar pressure and ground reaction force data were collected from 171 asymptomatic young Korean adults, and the normality of the data were tested. The normative data of the spatiotemperal gait parameters, time-series vertical ground reaction force curves, and butterfly diagrams (center of pressure trajectory) were established. The data collected in the current study would serve as the reference gait data of young Korean population and help healthcare professionals assess the existence or severity of abnormal gait patterns of patients.

Factors Related to Oversleeping in Korean Young Adults, with a Focus on Sociodemographic Factors.

Young adults the year after high school experience changes in lifestyle and circumstances and tend to experience more oversleeping. However, there are few studies on oversleeping in young adults. This study aims to identify the sociodemographic factors related to oversleeping among young adults in Korea using nationally representative data. This study analyzed self-reported and cross-sectional data in 2016 from a sample of 1876 participants from the Korean Children and Youth Panel Survey, which included respondents one year after high school graduation. Oversleeping was defined as sleeping 9 or more hours a day on average. Logistic regression models were analyzed to test a multivariate association between independent sociodemographic variables and oversleeping. Over one-tenth of young adults reported oversleeping. Oversleeping was associated with household income (OR = 0.99, p = 0.011) and smoking (OR = 1.52, p = 0.041). In addition, when compared to non-working college students, college students who were working (OR = 2.58, p = 0.021), non-students who were working (OR = 1.68, p = 0.048), and non-students who were not working (OR = 3.07, p < 0.001) were more likely to report oversleeping. Oversleeping among young adults was associated with major sociodemographic factors including household income (−), smoking (+), and academic and working status (+). These findings suggest the significant role of sociodemographic factors as predictors of oversleeping and emphasize the importance of examining various factors to achieve a better understanding of oversleeping in young adults.

Relationship between Preventive Health Behavior, Optimistic Bias, Hypochondria, and Mass Psychology in Relation to the Coronavirus Pandemic among Young Adults in Korea.

The great challenge to global public health caused by the coronavirus pandemic has lasted for two years in Korea. However, Korean young adults seem less compliant with preventive health behaviors than older adults. This study aims to explore the relationship between risk perception variables of optimistic bias, hypochondriasis, and mass psychology, and preventive health behavior in relation to the coronavirus pandemic through a cross-sectional online survey. The participants are 91 Korean young adults aged 19–30. The results show that mass psychology has a positive relationship with preventive health behavior, whereas optimistic bias and hypochondriasis do not. In detail, people with high or middle levels of mass psychology displayed higher preventive health behavior compared with those who had low levels of mass psychology, and the highest compliance was for wearing a mask, followed by COVID-19 vaccination, whereas the lowest compliance was for influenza vaccination. These findings could be explained by the Korean culture of strong collectivism and the characteristics of COVID-19, which evoked extreme fear globally. The results of this study can be useful for policy establishment in the ongoing prevention of COVID-19 and suggest that mass psychology should be used effectively in planning preventive communication campaigns.

Clinical characteristics and long-term outcomes of rhabdomyosarcoma in Korean children, adolescents and young adults: a single-center experience.

This study aimed to analyze characteristics, treatment, long-term outcomes, and prognostic factors for children, adolescents and young adults with rhabdomysosarcoma (RMS). This retrospective historical study included 75 patients with RMS treated between 2002 and 2019. Clinical data and follow-up results were collected including all diagnosis, treatment and prognosis information. Patients median-age-at-diagnosis was 6years. Embryonal and alveolar histology occurred in 51 (68.0%) and 21 (28.0%) patients, respectively. The tumors most frequently originated from parameningeal site (28.0%). Of 74 evaluable patients for treatment outcome, 60 (81.1%) achieved complete response for first-line treatment, of whom, 34 (56.6%) maintained complete response, 26 (43.3%; 23/26, local relapse) showed relapse. Of 40 patients with treatment failure, 16 and 6 occurred in parameningeal area and retroperitoneum/perineum, respectively. The 5-year progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) were 45.0% and 64.5%, respectively. In multivariate analyses, parameningeal site (p = 0.027), no gross total resection (p = 0.047), and no radiation therapy (RT) (p < 0.001) for PFS; and parameningeal site (p < 0.001) and no RT (p = 0.010) for worse OS, were significant. The median PFS and OS from treatment failure date in 40 patients with primary treatment failure were 1.3 and 4.1years, respectively. Of 26 patients with relapse, interval to relapse < 7months, retroperitoneum/perineum site, TNM stages III/IIV, and no salvage RT were independently associated with OS. The importance of adequate local therapy was highlighted in RMS treatment. Treatment failure was largely a local failure. Whether as a component of initial or salvage treatment, RT could improve patients' survival.

Marriage Intention among Korean Young Adults: Trends and Influencing Factors.

The recent increase in the tendency of people to marry late or to opt out of marriage entirely is among the key contributors to Korea’s low fertility rate. One possible cause of this tendency may be a change in how marriage is valued among Korea’s youth. The marriage intentions of young adults can be classified into “positive”, “negative”, and “neutral”. Over time, positive marriage intentions have declined across all age groups (2010: 61% → 2020: 39%; ages 25–29), with no significant change in negative marriage intentions. In contrast, neutral marriage intentions have increased significantly (2010: 36% → 2020: 53%; ages 25–29). This phenomenon may be attributable to the increase in the number of young adults who prioritize survival over thinking about the future. However, neutral marriage values can be changed into positive values at any time. A holistic overview of Korean society is necessary to determine how the values of young adults might be influenced to align with a traditional life process.

P005 Sustainable Eating Practices Among Korean Young Adults in their 20s

P005 Sustainable Eating Practices Among Korean Young Adults in their 20s

Association between dietary calcium and indicators of body composition in Korean young adults

Association between dietary calcium and indicators of body composition in Korean young adults

Semantic Properties of Lexical Bundles Used by Young Adult Korean EFL Students at Different Grade Levels

This study explores the potential of lexical bundles (LBs) as a way for investigating academic writing development of EFL students. This study used a corpus of essays by Korean EFL students in high school or the first week of college divided by school-level group into three subcorpora (first-year high school; second-year high school; and third-year high school/incoming college). It investigated how groups used LBs in context by examining these LBs’ semantic prosodies and preferences. Findings showed marked differences in structures and functions of bundles favored by first-year high school students versus two higher school-level groups, with the former using more bundles characteristic of colloquial spoken language. On the other hand, a contextual analysis of LBs shared across subcorpora showed more similarities between the first-year group and the second-year group regarding semantic prosodies and preferences. These two adjacent groups tended to project positive, neutral, and negative affective meanings via LBs at similar rates that differed from rates of the third-year/incoming college group. These results shed light on learners’ developmental trajectory toward being proficient academic writers in terms of their use of formulaic multiword sequences in academic prose.

Association of socioeconomic status with nonsuicidal self-injury and suicidal ideation in young Korean adults.

Although nonsuicidal self-injury (NSSI) in youth is an important mental health concern worldwide, limited studies have investigated its sociodemographic correlates in early adulthood. This study explored associations between socioeconomic status (SES) and self-harm behaviors, including NSSI and suicidal ideation, in a community-based sample of young adults. A total of 414 Korean young adults engaged in NSSI and 200 controls completed online self-report questionnaires assessing sociodemographic and clinical characteristics, using logistic regression to estimate the odds ratio and analyzed risk factors for NSSI, especially the independent influence of SES on NSSI risk. Multivariate regression was performed to identify the role of socioeconomic disadvantage in suicidal ideation in NSSI people. Logistic regression showed that low SES significantly increased NSSI risk. Multivariable regression also revealed that lower SES was related to more severe suicidal ideation in young adults with NSSI after controlling for gender and the higher-severity NSSI index, including the number of NSSI methods used and NSSI intrapersonal functions. This is the first study to directly address socioeconomic gradients of a general population of young adults with NSSI and its effects, and socioeconomic status should be considered preemptively when defining suicide risks of this group and when intervening in self-injurious behaviors.