The Korean Journal of Health Psychology
- P-ISSN : 1229-070X
- E-ISSN : 2713-9581
- Publisher : Korean Health Psychological Association
- CCL :
16papers in this issue.
This study systematically reviewed the literature to examine effects of virtual reality(VR) interventions in reducing psychological distress and improving quality of life of dementia patients for informal caregivers. Following systematic review manual of the National Evidence-based Healthcare Collaborating Agency(NECA), 320 studies published in international journals from January 2022 to January 2023 were selected using a three-step selection process based on inclusion criteria. Two reviewers independently assessed the quality of the final four selected studies, including one non-randomized controlled trial and three pre-post design studies. Due to the high heterogeneity among the studies, the results are described using qualitative synthesis. Quality assessment revealed a high risk of bias. Those studies were primarily focused on enhancing caregivers' understanding and empathy by providing immersive experiences in VR, such as caregiver education and stress reduction. VR interventions were found to have a positive and beneficial impact in reducing caregivers' burden. These results suggest that VR interventions might positively influence psychological factors related to caregivers' quality of life (e.g., caregiver burden, depression, perceived stress). Finally, the significance and limitations of this study as well as suggestions for future VR-based research for caregivers of dementia patients, are discussed.
This study conducted a systematic review to evaluate the validity and diagnostic utility of digital games as screening tools for Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI). The analysis was focused on literature published between 2014 and 2024, revealing that game-based screening tools demonstrated wide range of sensitivity (64.3%-96.5%) and specificity (50%-96.1%) in diagnosing MCI, with performance comparable to or better than traditional cognitive function tests. Early detection of MCI is crucial as it provides a critical intervention window to delay and prevent the progression to dementia. This study suggests that digital games can be effectively utilized to detect cognitive decline in older adults and delay the progression of dementia. Results of this study also highlight the need to improve user interfaces and develop multidimensional assessment tools that encompass various neurocognitive domains. This study contributes to the exploration of digital tools for early MCI screening, enhancing the potential for dementia prevention and early treatment.
Hwa-Byung is characterized by feelings of anger about unreasonable social violence. It is known that the prevalence of Hwa-Byung is high in middle-aged people. However, recent evidence has shown that the number of younger patients with Hwa-Byung is increasing, showing different disease courses from middle-aged patients. The purpose of this study was to qualitatively analyze young Hwa-Byung patients’ experiences of symptoms and psychological characteristics related to antecedent events. Eight women in their 20s were interviewed using semi-structured questionnaires to perform an in-depth study on their experiences related to Hwa-Byung. Interview data were subjected to content analysis. As a result, 5 main categories(‘antecedent events occur due to other’s mistake’, ‘antecedent events repeated without resolution’, ‘emotional symptom’, ‘physical symptom’, and ‘Hwa-Byung symptom has a lot of influence’), 19 generic categories, and 40 sub-categories were identified. Based on results of this study, discussion and implications of this study were presented.
Fearlessness about death(FAD) is considered a significant factor associated with suicidal capability. It is primarily measured as a continuous variable using self-report instruments. This measurement approach operates under the assumption that the latent structure of FAD adheres to a dimensional model. However, suicide phenomena may manifest qualitatively distinct states from general psychological conditions, complicating the exclusion of the possibility that FAD follows a categorical model rather than a dimensional one. This study aimed to systematically analyze the latent structure of FAD using taxometric procedures. A total of 1,050 adults participated in this study and responded to a self-report instrument measuring FAD. Collected data were analyzed using three non-redundant taxometric techniques (MAMBAC, MAXEIG, L-Mode). Analysis results indicated that a dimensional model is more fitting for FAD. Theoretical and clinical implications of the study findings were subsequently discussed.
The present study hypothesized that social connectedness and social avoidance could mediate the relationship between covert narcissism and depression. To test this hypothesis, covert narcissism, social connectedness, social avoidance, and depression were measured for 411 adults. Results of this study are summarized as follows. First, covert narcissism, social connectedness, social avoidance, and depression showed significant correlations. Second, social connectedness and social avoidance had simple and significant mediating effects on the relationship between covert narcissism and depression. Third, social connectedness and social avoidance showed sequential mediating effects on the relationship between covert narcissism and depression. Based on these results, implications and limitations of this study and the necessity of further research were discussed.
The theory that evaluative concerns (EC) perfectionism influences depression has been empirically supported. This study aimed to expand this basic model to explore origins of perfectionism, depression-inducing mechanisms, and its alleviating mechanisms. We explored if possible origins of perfectionism could go back to insecure attachment and subsequent contingent self-esteem (CSE), and whether the mechanism of perfectionism to elicit depression was repetitive negative thinking (RNT). In addition, we attempted to test if self-compassion (SC) could alleviate these pathological effects. Experiences in Close Relationship-Relationship Structures Questionnaire (ECR-RS), Contingent Self-Esteem Scale (CSE), Evaluative Concerns Perfectionism, Perseverative Thinking Questionnaire, Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale, and Self-Compassion Scale were administered to 232 adults in an online survey. The serial mediation model was tested using SPSS Process Macro 6, and the moderated mediation model was tested using Macro 87. These research models were tested by dividing into attachment subtypes: attachment avoidance and attachment anxiety. First, the mediation model starting from attachment avoidance and reaching depression through CSE, EC perfectionism, and RNT was supported. Additionally, in this model, the effect of RNT on depression was alleviated by SC. Thus, a moderated mediation model was established. Meanwhile, in the analysis using attachment anxiety as an independent variable, the mediation effect was supported, although the moderated mediation effect of SC was not established. It was discussed that unstable self-esteem brought about by insecure attachment might play a role as a possible origin of perfectionism, The need for intervention focusing on SC was examined. Finally, limitations of this study and implications for future research were discussed.
The present study aimed to examine short-term longitudinal influence of future-oriented goals of college students at the beginning of the semester on levels of self-esteem at the end of the semester (four months later). The moderating role of autonomy was also investigated. Specifically, whether effects of intrinsic and extrinsic types of future-oriented goals on self-esteem could be moderated by the level of autonomy related to developmental tasks of college students was examined. For this purpose, a self-report questionnaire measuring future-oriented goals, autonomy, and self-esteem was administered at the beginning and end of the semester to 162 college students recruited from three universities in South Korea. Results showed that intrinsic future-oriented goals at the beginning of the semester significantly predicted subsequent self-esteem, whereas extrinsic future-oriented goals did not. Additionally, the impact of intrinsic future-oriented goals on subsequent self-esteem was moderated by the level of autonomy. Specifically, intrinsic future-oriented goals only predicted self-esteem when autonomy was low. These findings suggest that considering future-oriented goals and levels of autonomy of college students, who are in early stages of adulthood, might be useful for enhancing their self-esteem.
The purpose of this study is to investigate whether the sense of self-control necessary for enhancing university students' achievement motivation influences this motivation through self-efficacy as a mediating factor. To achieve this, surveys from 300 university students across the nation were analyzed using SPSS 24.0 and AMOS 24.0. The research findings are as follows: First, the hypothesis that self-control among university students affects achievement motivation was supported. Second, the hypothesis that self-control influences self-efficacy was also supported. Third, the hypothesis that self-efficacy impacts achievement motivation was confirmed. Finally, the hypothesis that self-control affects achievement motivation through the mediation of self-efficacy was supported. These results are significant as they clarify the relationship between self-control and achievement motivation while confirming the mediating role of self-efficacy.
This study investigated the impact of gastrointestinal-specific anxiety (GSA) on symptom management of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) by examining predictors of IBS symptom severity. Additionally, GSA is divided into maladaptive cognition and dysfunctional behavior to verify their mediating effects on IBS symptom severity. A total of 109 university students were classified into IBS and non-IBS groups based on the Rome III criteria. Comparisons between the two groups were then conducted. Results showed that dysfunctional behavior significantly predicted IBS symptom severity in the IBS group, but not in the non-IBS group. In addition, dysfunctional behavior fully mediated the relationship between maladaptive cognition and IBS symptom severity in the IBS group. This study is significant in that it provides more detailed foundational information related to IBS symptom management by distinguishing between cognitive and behavioral components of GSA.
Clinical interest in adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) has been growing. This study examined sequential therapeutic mediating effects of sensation-based ACE memory representation (S-rep) and three factors of fear of compassion(i.e., fear of compassion for others, fear of self-compassion, and fear of compassion from others) in the relationship between ACEs and emotion dysregulation (ED). After analyzing 512 participants with self-reported ACEs from an online panel who were mainly women, results indicated that the number of ACEs had positive relationships with S-rep, factors of fear of compassion, and ED. ACEs and ED were sequentially mediated by S-rep and each of the three fear of compassion factors. Other than fear of compassion from others, fear of compassion for others and fear of self-compassion were significant only when they were fully mediated by S-rep in the pathway from ACEs leading to ED. This study highlights therapeutic variables related to ED in ACE survivors, suggesting that ACE memory processing is a key component in treatment.
This study aimed to determine differences in emotional facial expression in the elderly with subjective cognitive decline compared to mild cognitive impairment and normal elderly people. For this purpose, 20 normal elderly people living in Gyeongsangnam-do (Korea), 20 mild cognitive impairment patients visiting general hospitals, and 20 subjective cognitive decline elderly people were selected using neuropsychological tests and various scales. These selected participants were subjected to a recognition memory task using facial expressions containing emotions (positive, negative, and neutral). Accuracy of memory according to emotional value was measured. As a result, subjective in the elderly group with subjective cognitive decline did not remember positive facial expressions better than patients with mild cognitive impairment. In addition, the elderly group with subjective cognitive decline remember negative facial expressions better than positive and neutral factial expressions. The normal elderly group remembered positive facial expressions better than negative and neutral facial expressions. In the group with mild cognitive impairment, there were no significant differences according to emotional value. Results of this study suggest that the elderly with subjective cognitive decline have more impaired emotional regulation ability than the normal elderly. Therefore, early intervention for individuals experiencing subjective cognitive decline is necessary even if they fall into the normal category in the objective cognitive function test.
In this study, a two-way interaction hypothesis was proposed, suggesting that ego threat would influence aggressive behavior depending on perceived control. This hypothesis was verified through experiments involving a completely randomized design of 2 (ego threat: high ego threat/low ego threat) × 2 (perceived control: high perceived control/low perceived control) with 83 undergraduate student participants. The high ego threat group received negative feedback (both objective and subjective) after a writing task, while the low ego threat group received positive feedback. Subsequently, a listening task was conducted to manipulate perceived control. The high perceived control group had options regarding sound type, sound pause, and volume control, whereas the low perceived control group had no options in these areas. Afterward, participants were asked to taste and evaluate beverages to measure dependent variables and were instructed to complete a questionnaire. The results indicated a significant two-way interaction between ego threat and perceived control on aggressive behavior, thus supporting the hypothesis. In the simple main effect analysis, for the low perceived control group, the high ego threat group allocated more low-preferred beverages than the low ego threat group. However, for the high perceived control group, there was no significant difference in aggressive behavior between the two groups. These findings suggest that even in the presence of ego threat, increasing perceived control can mitigate aggressive behavior. Finally, the limitations of this study and directions for future research were discussed.
Savoring is the capacity to focus on and enhance positive experiences, involving perception, attention, and emotional regulation. Recent research has highlighted 'proactive savoring,' which means actively identifying positive stimuli early in the attention process to improve psychological well-being. This is similar to positive attention bias modification, which seeks to increase focus on positive stimuli to boost emotional experiences and life satisfaction. However, research on these topics is still limited. This study was conducted with 33 healthy college students divided into a savoring group, a positive attention bias modification group, and a control group. Results revealed that the savoring group showed significantly increased attention to positive stimuli. In contrast, the modification group increased their overall attention to both positive and neutral stimuli. There was no change in attention to negative stimuli in any groups. This study suggests that positive attention bias modification, without avoidance of negative stimuli, can enhance attention to positive and neutral stimuli, while savoring can specifically boost attention to positive stimuli.
This study aimed to examine effects of positive self-imagery induction on anticipatory anxiety, social ability perception, and fear of negative evaluation of individuals with social anxiety and to examine whether there were significant differences in self-imagery based on past- and future-oriented positive self-imagery induction. A total of 505 adults were screened using the Korean-Social Phobia Scale (K-SPS) and the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CES-D). Sixty-six people who satisfied the criteria were selected as the social anxiety group. Participants were randomly assigned to a future positive self-imagery group, a past positive self-imagery group, and a control group. They worked on social performance tasks. Self-imagery induction interventions were conducted. Results of 64 patients who were successfully treated showed that the positive self-imagery induction intervention significantly improved the social anxiety group’s anticipatory anxiety, social ability perception, and fear of negative evaluation. Although there was no significant difference between past and future self-imagery groups, the impact of future positive self-imagery induction on anticipatory anxiety was greater, suggesting the possibility of further change through additional treatment sessions. These results provide an empirical basis for using positive self-imagery intervention to treat social anxiety disorder. Finally, implications and limitations of the current study and suggestions for follow-up studies are discussed.
This study developed and validated a scale for measuring college students' addiction to short-form video content. In the preliminary study, constructs related to short-form video content addiction were reviewed and preliminary items were developed. Through literature review, focus group interviews (FGI), and content validity verification, a set of 32 preliminary items across six factors was created. A preliminary survey was conducted with 218 college students (66 males and 152 females), Item analysis and exploratory factor analysis were performed for collected data. As a result, three factors consisting of 27 items were identified. A main study was conducted with an additional 220 college students (66 males and 154 females) who did not participate in the preliminary survey. Items for the main study included the 27 items developed in the preliminary research and three scales for validity verification: Korean Depression Scale(KDS), Korean version of the Social Media Addiction Scale (K-SAS), and Korean version of the Brief Self-Control Scale (BSCS). Item analysis, confirmatory factor analysis, reliability analysis, and validity verification analyses were conducted for collected data. Results revealed a scale consisting of 23 items across three factors 'Salience and Withdrawal', 'Mood Regulation Seeking', and 'Life Impairment', demonstrating a good level of reliability. The scale showed significant correlations with Korean Depression Scale(KDS), Korean version of the Social Media Addiction Scale (K-SAS), and Korean version of the Brief Self-Control Scale (BSCS) demonstrating the scale's validity. Finally, this study discussed its significance and limitations.
This study aimed to identify future research directions for health psychology based on an analysis of papers published in the Korean Journal of Health Psychology and Health Psychology by the APA. By comparing domestic and international studies through their titles and abstracts, it was discovered that domestic research tends to focus more on mental health, whereas international studies adopt a more integrated approach to both physical and mental health. In terms of research topics, both domestic and international studies most frequently examined the relationship between behavior and disease, followed by investigations into treatment and intervention. These findings indicate that the Korean Health Psychology Association should prioritize research that encompasses both mental and physical health, as well as studies that offer policy recommendations and enhance the role of health psychologists. Furthermore, the study recommended that health psychology researchers and societies pay attention to emerging issues such as the reproducibility crisis in psychological research and the implications of generative AI.