Trends in substance use among sexual minority adolescents in South Korea.

PURPOSE: Substance use, that is of cigarettes, alcohol and chemical inhalants, is a major contributor to health-compromising behaviors and the related consequences among adolescents around the world. The purpose of this paper is to examine trends in this phenomenon in South Korea among sexually active adolescents who reported sexual minority behaviors as compared to their heterosexual (HS) peers. DESIGN AND METHODS: This study used data from the annual web-based survey called Korea Youth Risk Behavior Survey in 5-year intervals: 2006, 2011, and 2016. From 2017, the questions regarding the gender of sex partners were excluded from the survey, thus no data is available for sexual minorities after 2016. Selected data (Unweighted n = 10,029) was used to assess whether substance use increased, decreased, or remained unchanged among adolescents who reported same-sex (SS) behaviors and bisexual (BS) behaviors compared to their peers reporting HS behaviors. Demographic variables included age and assigned gender. Substances referred to are cigarettes, alcohol, and chemical inhalants. Logistic regression models were sex-stratified according to assigned gender. Trend analyses were carried out to examine disparities in substance use among sexually active adolescents across the three survey years. RESULTS: Across the three survey years, cigarette use, alcohol use, and problematic drinking declined among all sexually active youths, but there were some differences among the subgroups. In 2016, SS girls were more likely to use cigarettes than HS girls. The prevalence of alcohol use and problematic drinking among BS girls was relatively higher than among girls who exhibited either HS or SS behaviors. Inhalant use was very high among both boys and girls with SS and BS behaviors. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: The findings of the study reveal disparities in substance use between sexual minority and heterosexual adolescents in South Korea. This creates an alarm for collecting data separately for sexually diverse youth in future Korean national surveys with a goal of reducing substance use among all adolescents.

Factors Related to Depressive Symptoms Among Multicultural Adolescents in Korea.

This study aimed to compare related factors of depressive symptoms among multicultural adolescents in South Korea. Cross-sectional data were collected from 1,325 students studying in ninth grade (mean age: 14.97 ± 0.36 years) who had one Korean parent and one foreign-born parent. The score of depressive symptoms among girls (1.777 ± 0.550) was higher than boys (1.647 ± 0.512). The regression model-including demographic, psychological, and social factors-explained 38.3% of depressive symptoms among boys and 27.9% among girls. Body image satisfaction was the most powerful factor related to depressive symptoms in both boys and girls. Gender-differentiated factors identified in this study such as demographic, psychological, and social factors need to be studied while planning gender-tailored intervention programs to help relieve depressive symptoms among multicultural adolescents.

Factors related to heavy drinking between British Columbia Asian adolescents and South Korean adolescents.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study is to compare the factors related to heavy drinking among British Columbia (BC) Asian adolescents and South Korean adolescents. DESIGN AND METHODS: A cross-sectional descriptive design was used. Participants were 72,422 adolescents (12,382 BC Asian adolescents and 60,040 South Korean adolescents) from the 2018 BC Adolescent Health Survey and the 2018 Korean Youth Risk Behavior Web-Based Survey. Complex samples descriptive statistics, Rao-Scott χ2 tests, and complex samples logistic regression analyses were performed. RESULTS: Heavy drinking was reported by 8.6% of BC Asian adolescents and 7.7% of South Korean adolescents. Asian adolescents in BC and South Korea shared six risk factors and one protective factor linked to odds of heavy drinking. The strongest risk factor for heavy drinking in each region was current cigarette smoking. Other risk factors for heavy drinking included older age/higher grade (10/12th), early initiation of sexual intercourse (age 14 or younger), experiences of bullying, depression, and exercise. The only protective factor for heavy drinking, sufficient sleep, was similar in both regions. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: This study suggests several nursing interventions and health promotion strategies to help us to prevent or reduce heavy drinking for BC Asian adolescents and South Korean adolescents.

Risk Factors Related to Binge Drinking: A Comparative Study of American and South Korean Adolescents.

The characteristics of and risk factors associated with binge drinking among South Korean and American adolescents were identified in this study. Data on adolescents in the 9th to 12th grades were extracted from two nationwide data sets: the Korea Youth Risk Behavior Web-based Survey System and the U.S. Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance System. Binge drinking was observed among 16% of American adolescents during the past month and among 11.6% of Korean adolescents during the past year. For adolescents from both countries, the following seven similar significant factors were associated with binge drinking: female gender, higher grade, fighting-related injury experience, current cigarette smoking, preteen smoking initiation, participation in team sports, and depression. Among Korean adolescents, higher or lower level of academic achievement and inadequate sleep were additional unique factors associated with binge drinking. These results could be useful for developing interventions for adolescents engaging in binge drinking in both countries.

Factors related to quality of life among middle-aged and older korean adults in 2006 and 2014: A nationally representative study.

Factors related to quality of life (QoL) were investigated using data from middle-aged and older Korean respondents to the 2006 and 2014 Korean Longitudinal Study of Ageing. Respondents' QoL score in 2014 (6.03 ±â€¯1.69) was lower than in 2006 (6.20 ±â€¯2.12). All socio-demographic and health-related variables seemed to influence QoL in 2006 (R2 = 0.238) and 2014 (R2 = 0.234). Four factors significantly associated with QoL in both years were health, household income, depression, and regular exercise. Rural and mid-sized city dwellers were more likely to have a better QoL than residents of metropolitan areas; residential area had a greater influence on QoL in 2014.

Demographics and Health Profiles of Depressive Symptoms in Korean Older Adults.

This study examined the demographics and health characteristics of depressive symptoms of Korean older adults. Data were from the 2014 survey of the Korean Longitudinal Study of Aging (KLoSA). Hierarchical logistic regression was conducted to identify risk factors of depressive symptoms. Model 2 including socio-demographics and health characteristics explained 19.2% of depressive symptoms. Significant risk factors of depressive symptoms were men, age of 53-60 years, mid-sized city and rural area residents, less than high-school education, adults without spouse, 1st (lowest) quintile of annual household income, body shape as underweight, ex-smokers, non-drinkers, no regular exercise, perceived health status as poor, limited activities of daily living, and the number of comorbidities. Interventions to reduce depressive symptoms in these populations should include strategies to change some of these modifiable risk factors.

Factors of Depressive Symptoms Among Elementary, Middle, and High School Students.

Little attention has been paid to the individual, family, friends, and school profiles of depressed children during the transition from childhood to adolescence. This study aimed to describe the evolution of factors associated with depressive symptoms among elementary, middle, and high school students. This was a secondary analytic study using three datasets of a cohort of Korean children or adolescents. Children or adolescents with depressed symptoms reported lower self-esteem, peer attachment, academic performance, and adaptability in school. Other risk factors for depressive symptoms that included gender, obesity, family conflict, and with whom they discussed personal issues showed different patterns from the elementary school years to high school years. A sex difference (female>male) of depressive symptoms was evident only among high school students. Influences including individuals, family, friends, and school factors for adolescents varied depending upon school years. Understanding the correlates/risk factors could guide the screening and management of depressive symptoms.

Risk factors for current smoking among American and South Korean adolescents, 2005-2011.

PURPOSE: Population data concerning smoking rates of adolescents and adults in the United States and Korea (South Korea) has highlighted the need for attention to this age group. This study compared the risk factors related to smoking and examined the gender differences with other risk factors in smoking among American and Korean adolescents between 2005 and 2011. ORGANIZING CONSTRUCT AND METHODS: Participants were students in grades 9-11 selected from nationally representative surveys conducted in 2005 and 2011. FINDINGS: In 2011, similar risk factors for current smoking were identified in American and Korean adolescents. These included male gender, school grade, depression, experience of alcohol drinking, current use of alcohol, use of glue or other inhalants, and experience of sexual intercourse. Among Korean adolescents, weight perception and weight control were unique risk factors for current smoking. Interactions with gender and other risk factors in each nation were revealed. CONCLUSIONS: These risk factors, their change from earlier years, and gender differences should be recognized in the screening of vulnerable individuals for smoking and formulating effective intervention programs. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: These results will provide information for the design and implementation of cessation programs for adolescents in these countries.

Risk factors for smoking behaviors among adolescents.

Many students in Korea begin to use tobacco and develop a regular smoking habit before they reach adulthood. Yet, little is known about various signs contributing to the transition of the student smoking behaviors. This study used a national sample to explore and compare risk factors for smoking behaviors. Three types of smoking behaviors were defined: never smoking (in their lifetime), history of experimental smoking (ever tried but not within the last 30 days), and current smoking (at least 1 day during the last 30 days). Risk factors for experimentally starting and not continuing smoking were identified as gender, perceived health status, and friend-related stress. School type, academic performance, alcohol use, perception of harm of smoking, and close friends' smoking increased the risk of progressing from never smoking to the history of experimental smoking and current smoking. Our findings may be valuable in school health care settings in planning cessation programs.

Post-partum blues among Korean mothers: a structural equation modelling approach.

The objective of this study was to propose the post-partum blues (PPB) model and to estimate the effects of self-esteem, social support, antenatal depression, and stressful events during pregnancy on PPB. Data were collected from 249 women post-partum during their stay in the maternity units of three hospitals in Korea using a self-administered questionnaire. A structural equation modelling approach using the Analysis of Moments Structure program was used to identify the direct and indirect effects of the variables on PPB. The full model had a good fit and accounted for 70.3% of the variance of PPB. Antenatal depression and stressful events during pregnancy had strong direct effects on PPB. Household income showed indirect effects on PPB via self-esteem and antenatal depression. Social support indirectly affected PPB via self-esteem, antenatal depression, and stressful events during pregnancy.

Risk factors related to suicidal ideation and attempted suicide: comparative study of Korean and American youth.

Suicidal trends and related characteristics such as sociodemographic factors, psychological factors, and health behaviors can differ between countries. This study investigated the predictors of suicidal ideation and attempted suicide including health behaviors among American and Korean youth from two national representative data sets. In both countries, depression was the most predominant predictor to suicidal ideation and attempted suicide. Unique predictors of suicidal youth in each country were also found. In America, attempted suicide was predicted by poor body image, whereas in Korea attempted suicide was predicted by medical diagnosis such as asthma, concern about weight, and alcohol consumption. The value of our approach lies in the comparative analysis of analogous and unique characteristics of suicidal youths in these two huge data sets from different countries. These results should be helpful for school and mental health care providers to plan interventions for youth at risk of suicide to prevent suicidal completion in these nations.

Predictors of growth in children based on 2007 Korean National Growth Charts.

BACKGROUND: Postnatal growth patterns in children are associated with various factors within the birth and infancy periods. The aim of the present study was to examine the correlation between growth patterns and parameters including gestational age (GA), birthweight (BW), sex, and feeding method in the records of 61,631 children aged 6-72 months. METHODS: The data were obtained from the 2007 Korean National Growth Charts provided by the Korean Centers for Disease Control. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, Pearson's correlation, and multiple linear regression. RESULTS: BW and sex were highly correlated with weight and height by 72 months (P < 0.01), with BW being the primary predictor (P < 0.001). Sex was the second predictor of weight and height in children by 66 months (P < 0.01). Feeding method was the predictor of weight in children aged 12-48 months and 60 months (P < 0.05), and was also influential in the height of children by 48 months (P < 0.05). GA was the predictor of weight at 12 months and from 30 to 42 months (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: GA, BW, sex and feeding method were the predictors of weight and height among children at different times. Therefore, the present population-based study strengthens the consideration of these factors for routine monitoring of growth patterns in Korean children.

Stress responses of neonates related to maternal characteristics.

PURPOSE: To investigate the pre- and post-heelstick stress response patterns of infants and to identify related maternal factors. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Fifty-two mothers and their 57 infants were studied. Stress response patterns in neonates were collected by measurements of pulse rate, oxygen saturation, and salivary cortisol. Maternal demographic factors and awakening saliva were collected. RESULTS: Median level of pulse rate of infant increased from 132.1 to 140.4 beats per minute and salivary cortisol was elevated from 0.41 µg/dL to 0.70 µg/dL during the periods of discomfort, while oxygen saturation decreased from 97% to 95%. Infant's pulse rate change was negatively correlated with gestational age (GA) (r = - 0.37, p < 0.05), whereas the change of infants' salivary cortisol was correlated positively with maternal age (r = 0.29, p < 0.05). GA was the only independently significant predictor of pulse rate responses (R(2) = 0.15, p < 0.05). Influence of maternal age on infants' salivary cortisol changes (R(2) = 0.09, p < 0.05) was observed in a stepwise multiple regression. CONCLUSION: These findings suggest that maternal age and gestational period can be influential factors for stress responses in infants. Therefore, it would be important to consider the demographic characteristics of mother-infant pairs to evaluate these influential factors.

The effect of sucrose on infants during a painful procedure.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to test the efficacy of treating the pain among newborn infants associated with a medical procedure with sucrose with regard to overall physiological and behavioral stability. METHODS: 103 newborn infants were enrolled in this study. The control group (n=63) did not receive any treatment. The experimental group (n=40) received 2 mL of 24% sucrose solution two minutes before a routine heel stick. The pain was assessed by measurements of physiological changes [e.g. pulse rate, oxygen saturation, salivary cortisol (hydrocortisone)] and behavioral changes [e.g. crying time, and the neonatal infant pain scale (NIPS) for neonates]. RESULTS: There were no differences among the groups with respect to physiological changes associated with the pain from the procedure. However, there were significant group differences in behavioral changes to the pain. In the control group, the median crying time was 13 seconds, while in the experimental group, the median crying time was 3.5 seconds (P=.000). In the control group the median NIPS score was 4, while in the experimental group the median NIPS score was 2 (P=.000). CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest that sucrose can be an effective method for the management of stress responses in infants with regard to behavior. However, this treatment had no significant physiological effects.

[Effects of non-nutritive sucking on the physiological and behavioral states of pre-term infants during tube feeding].

PURPOSE: This study was to investigate the effects of non-nutritive sucking on physiological and behavioral state of pre-term infants during tube feeding. METHOD: This nonequivalent, non-synchronized experimental study included 50 pre-term infants. An attempt was made to match gestational age and birth weight of infants in each group. Infants in the experimental group were given a pacifier 2 minutes before, during, and for 2 minutes after tube feeding. Infants in the control group did not get a pacifier. Both groups were tested at three stages for changes in the physiologic state and behavioral state--2 minutes before, during, and 2 minutes after feeding. Date was analyzed with SPSS WIN 10.0 using an Chi2-test, t-test, and repeated measures ANOVA. RESULT: Heart rates and oxygen saturation levels of the two groups were significantly different(P=.001, P=.000). The behavioral states of the two groups were significantly different during and post feeding(P=.000, P=.000). CONCLUSION: This result suggests non-nutritive sucking by using a pacifier is an effective intervention for pre-term infants during tube feeding.