Abstract

The present study was conducted to describe the experience of North Korean (NK) defectors who experienced family separation using the construct of ambiguous loss and propose a reliable and valid scale to measure it. To achieve this aim, the Boundary Ambiguity Scale (BAS), which has been used to assess various types of loss in previous studies, was translated and adapted into Korean to develop BAS-NK in subsequent steps. First, the adapted questions on the original BAS scale were evaluated by a preliminary online questionnaire-based on the appropriateness for North Korean defectors (N=102) living in situations of ambiguous loss. Next, in the main study, a one-on-one in-person survey was conducted using a new sample (N=100), and analyses involved item selection, factor structure, reliability, and validation. Results indicated that the BAS-NK consisting of a total of 15 items evidenced acceptable internal consistency, and two factors (i.e., perceived ambiguity about loss, and emotional/relational preoccupation with the object of loss) emerged in exploratory factor analysis. The total score of BAS-NK was positively and significantly correlated with scores of depression, complicated grief, and continuing bonds. In addition, the two factors of the BAS-NK demonstrated differentiated relationships to depression and complicated grief. Lastly, the limitations and future directions of the study are discussed. The current study suggests a preliminary scale to measure the ambiguous loss of North Korean defectors and provides implications for further studies.