• Korean Journal of Psychosomatic Medicine
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• v.6 no.2
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• pp.136-146
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• 1998

Objectives : This study was performed to evaluate the effects of PTSD on memory function, to investigate the difference of memory function between PTSD and non-PTSD patients, and to identify major variables correlated to PTSD scale and Memory Assessment Scale. Methods: The authors used PTSD-scale(Mississippi scale and Combat Exposure Scale) for measuring PTSD severity. And, Beck Depression Inventory was also used. Memory assessment scale was assessed by well trained psychologist. Thirty one Vietnam veterans who had been hospitalized were collected consecutively. These patients were evaluated by psychiatrists with interview and measurement for fifteen months since March, 1997. The collected data were analyzed by SPSS and the stastistic methods used for analysis Chi-square, t-test, and Pearson's correlation. Results : 1) There were significant differences in short-term memory and verbal memory between PTSD and non-PTSD in Vietnam veterans. 2) Mississippi scale and Combat Exposure Scale were negatively correlated to short-term memory and verbal memory(Pearson's correlation). 3) Religion status was a significant variable between PTSD and non-PTSD in Vietnam veterans. 4) There is no significant difference in visual memory and total memory scale between PTSD and Non-PTSD in Vietnam veterans Conclusions : Neuropsychological changes were found in the posttraumatic stress disorder. There were significant differences in short-term memory and verbal memory between PTSD and non-PTSD in Vietnam veterans. Mississippi scale and Combat Exposure Scale were negatively correlated to short-term memory and verbal memory. We suggest that neuropsychological test might be used for an objective assessment of patients with the combat related PTSD and be considered helpful in the assessment of patients with the diagnosis. And we also suggest rehabilitation strategies would be used to compensate for memory deficits in PTSD patients.

• The Journal of Korean Academic Society of Nursing Education
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• v.26 no.1
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• pp.47-55
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• 2020

Purpose: The aim of this study was to examine the validity and reliability of the Korean version of the PTSD scale (K-PTSD) for measuring attitudes and knowledge of PTSD. Methods: A cross-sectional study design was used. The K-PTSD scale consisted of 8 items for attitudes, 8 items for general knowledge of PTSD, and 3 items for knowledge of PTSD treatment; 211 nursing students and paramedic students participated. Content validity, item analysis, and factor analysis were used to examine the construct validity. Criterion validity was tested by using educational experience with PTSD as a criterion. Cronbach's α was used to identify internal consistency reliability in the attitude scale. Results: Construct validity of the K-PTSD was verified by exploratory factor analysis, with factor loadings for attitude ranging from .59 to .84. Criterion validity in comparing knowledge of PTSD (t=2.02, p=.044) and PTSD treatment (t=3.19, p=.022) showed a significant difference according to PTSD educational experience. Cronbach's α for the attitude scale was .79 and .59. Conclusion: The findings suggest that the K-PTSD is a valid and reliable tool that can measure attitudes and knowledge of PTSD among nursing and paramedic students. However, further study is needed to retest the verification of this scale with more diverse participants.

• The Journal of the Convergence on Culture Technology
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• v.9 no.1
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• pp.407-412
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• 2023

When a traumatic subject experiences extreme stress, various psychiatric problems, including PTSD, can occur if they do not respond appropriately. In addition, non-war soldiers who experience life-threatening events while serving in the military may experience severe and chronic PTSD symptoms. However, there are still insufficient domestic studies on what traumatic events soldiers are exposed to and how much PTSD symptoms they experience. Therefore, this study provides a method that can be used as basic data for PTSD and psychological support of military service personnel by identifying trends in domestic research. Furthermore, it studies PTSD not only of soldiers but also of 'civilians' who have experienced combat, and provides symptomatic treatment and relief programs to civilians according to the difference in PTSD between general trauma and war trauma. It is expected that these studies will increase military confidence and enable the military to play a leading role in war trauma PTSD research and prevention, treatment and mitigation.

• Korean Journal of Culture and Social Issue
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• v.23 no.2
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• pp.215-237
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• 2017

Most research on medical accidents is related to medical disputes and malpractice of relief system. Therefore, there is a lack of research which explores the psychological experiences of patients injured by medical accidents. The purpose of this study was to investigate Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) of patients harmed by medical accidents and to examine the moderating role of social support on the relationship between clinicians' explanation and attitude and PTSD symptoms. A total of 180 patients were drawn from a medical accident organization and online communities related to medical accidents. Results showed that 171 (95%) of the subjects experienced full PTSD symptoms and their severity of the PTSD Symptoms was as high as those who experienced other severe traumatic events. Though the main effect of clinician's explanation and attitude on PTSD symptoms was not significant, the moderating effect of social support was significant in the relationship between clinicians' explanation and attitude and PTSD symptoms. In other words, when the level of social support was low, the poorer the explanation and attitude of clinicians, the more severe the symptoms of PTSD. Drawing from these results, psychological, social, and institutional strategies were suggested to alleviate and prevent PTSD symptoms of patients injured by medical accidents. Finally, limitations of this study and suggestions for future research were discussed.

• Journal of Korean Medical Science
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• v.33 no.52
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• pp.338.1-338.5
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• 2018

The purpose of this study was to develop and evaluate psychometrically the Korean version of the Primary Care Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Screen for the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual-fifth edition (K-PC-PTSD-5). In total, 252 participants were interviewed with the Structured Clinical Interview for Diagnostic and Statistical Manual-fifth edition-research version (SCID-5-RV). The K-PC-PTSD-5 showed good internal consistency (${\alpha}=0.872$), test-retest reliability (r = 0.89), and concurrent validity (r = 0.81). A score of 3 was identified as the threshold for clinically significant posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms. Overall, the results indicate that the K-PC-PTSD-5 is a useful, timesaving instrument for screening PTSD symptoms.

• Korean Journal of Biological Psychiatry
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• v.8 no.1
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• pp.131-139
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• 2001

This study was conducted to evaluate the effect of PTSD on memory function and hippocampal volume, and to identify major variables correlated to hippocampal volume and memory function. Thirty four Vietnam veterans were collected for this study, among whom eighteen were PTSD patients and sixteen were combat control subjects. The author used Impact of Event Scale(IES), Combat Exposure Scale(CES), Hamilton Depression Rating Scale(HDRS) and Beck Depression Inventory (BDI). Korea Memory Assessment Scale(K-MAS) was assessed for memory function. Magnetic resonance imaging(MRI) was used to measure hippocampal volume. There were significant differences between PTSD and Non-PTSD veterans in IES, HDRS and BDI. Significant difference was found in verbal memory and total memory of K-MAS between PTSD and Non-PTSD veterans. There was significant difference in hippocampal volume between PTSD and Non-PTSD veterans. Short term memory, verbal memory and total memory were positively correlated to hippocampal volume. Hippocampal volume was negatively correlated to IES, HDRS, and BDI. These results suggest that PTSD severity be associated with hippocampal atrophy and memory dysfunction. Reduced or smaller hippocampal volume may be preexisting risk factor for stress exposure or the development of PTSD on combat exposure.

• Anxiety and mood
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• v.7 no.2
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• pp.119-125
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• 2011

Objectives : The three symptom clusters of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) are reexperience, avoidance, and hyperarousal. Alcohol use disorders frequently co-occur with PTSD, and possible functional correlations are suspected. Scholarly evaluation of the differences between the symptoms of PTSD and those of alcohol problems may be useful in understanding the pathophysiology of the comorbidity. Methods : We recruited Vietnam veterans with PTSD (n=97) and without PTSD (n=132). The alcohol use disorder identification test (AUDIT), and clinician-administered PTSD scale (CAPS) were administered to participants. The PTSD group was divided into two categories: those with PTSD only (n=57) and those with concurrent alcohol-related problems (n=40). Results : The PTSD group showed higher AUDIT scores compared to the control group. In the PTSD group, participants with alcohol problems had a severer symptoms of recurrent dream and sleep disturbance symptoms compared to the PTSD only group. No significant differences were found in the three major symptom clusters of PTSD. Conclusion : These findings support the proposed existence of a functional correlation between PTSD and alcohol use disorder. Clinicians should carefully evaluate and treat comorbid alcohol use disorder in patients with PTSD.

• Anxiety and mood
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• v.7 no.2
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• pp.92-100
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• 2011

Objectives : The aim of this study was to investigate Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)-related symptom severity, level of functional impairment and personality profiles between full-blown PTSD, partial PTSD and non-PTSD groups among 59 adolescent survivals from the Incheon fire disaster. Method : Using Short Screening Scale for DSM-IV PTSD, victims of the disaster were assigned to a full-blown PTSD group (n=18), a partial PTSD (n=22), or a non-PTSD group (n=19). Assessments included the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI), the Impact of Event Scales (IES), the McBride's Degree of General Labor Loss, and the Korean Version of Temperament and Character Inventory (K-TCI). Results : Significantly severe PTSD symptoms (F=4.832, df=2, p<.05) and functional impairment (F=12.144, df=2, p<.01) were demonstrated by PTSD groups as compared to the non-PTSD group. Interestingly, full and partial PTSD did not differ in these comparisons. Similarly, the subtypes of PTSD did not differ with respect to personality profiles using the K-TCI ; however, personality profiles were sharply differentiated between the PTSD and non-PTSD group. Conclusion : Although high subject homogeneity and small sample size may limit the results of this study, the present results highlight the possibility of the underestimation as well as the insufficient, treatment and compensation of partial vs full PTSD.

• Korean Journal of Psychosomatic Medicine
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• v.31 no.2
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• pp.155-164
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• 2023

Objectives : The aim of this study was to identify the factors affecting ideas of persecution in post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) patients who underwent Clinician-Administered PTSD Scale (CAPS) and Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory-2 (MMPI-2). Methods : We retrospectively reviewed 116 patients who underwent CAPS and MMPI 2 between May 2013 and April 2020 at Veteran Health Service Medical Center. Based on the CAPS score, the patients were divided into the PTSD group (n=63, age: 58.16±17.84) and the trauma exposed without PTSD group (n=53, age: 67.34±12.05). After checking the correlation between Ideas of persecution, CAPS, and MMPI-2 scales, linear regression analysis was performed to identify the risk factors for clinically relevant symptoms. Results : The PTSD group showed significant differences in Schizophrenia, Ideas of persecution, Dysfunctional negative emotions, Aberrant Experiences, Psychoticism, Negative Emotionality/Neuroticism, Anxiety, Depression, and Anger scales compared to the trauma-exposed without PTSD group. When analyzing the correlation between Idea of persecution, CAPS and MMPI-2 scales, there was a strong association with most of the scales in MMPI-2 and Idea of persecution except Disconstraint. Multiple linear regression analysis performed in PTSD group identified that risk factors for Idea of persecution were Dysfunctional negative emotions and Anger scale. Conclusions : The PTSD group had increased idea of persecution compared to the trauma exposed without PTSD group. Dysfunctional negative emotions and anger may be risk factors for idea of persecution in trauma exposed population.

• Anxiety and mood
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• v.5 no.1
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• pp.14-20
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• 2009

Objective : The objective of this study was to examine the relationship between plasma serotonin concentration and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms in chronic PTSD patients who have been taking medication. Methods : Plasma serotonin level of 14 PTSD patients and a control group of 28 Vietnam War veterans was measured by HPLC (high performance liquid chromatography). The Combat Exposure Scale (CES), Mississippi Scale for Combat-Related Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (M-PTSD), Clinician Administered PTSD Scale (CAPS), Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression (HRSD), and Hamiltion Anxiety Scale (HAS) were used to evaluate PTSD symptom severity. Results : Serotonin level was significantly higher in the PTSD group than in the control group (p=0.036, p=0.006, respectively). M-PTSD (p<0.001), CAPS (p<0.001), HRSD (p<0.001), and HAS (p<0.001) scale scores were significantly higher in the PTSD group than in the control group; however, the CES score failed to show a significant improvement (p=0.964). There were no significant differences between plasma serotonin and PTSD symptoms. Conclusion : In chronic PTSD patients who have been taking medications, we can not predict treatment effect and symptom severity by measuring only plasma serotonin levels. PTSD is a complicated disorder which may likely be related to a variety of neurotransmitter systems. Therefore, further research which investigate relationships with norepinephrine, dopamine, and other neurotransmitters as well as serotonin is needed to improve the treatment of PTSD.