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Noh, Kim, Kim, Park, and Woo: Identifying Research Direction for Mental Health of North Korean Refugees Using Delphi Technique
Original Article

Journal of Korean Neuropsychiatric Association 2016; 55(3): 185-193.

Published online: 31 August 2016

DOI: https://doi.org/10.4306/jknpa.2016.55.3.185

Identifying Research Direction for Mental Health of North Korean Refugees Using Delphi Technique

Jin-Won Noh, PhD1, 2, Hyun-Ah Kim, PhD3, Yoojung Kim, DSW4, Hyunchun Park, MPH1, Jong-Min Woo, MD, MPH, PhD5

1Department of Healthcare Management, Eulji University, Seongnam, Korea.

2Department of Health Sciences, Global Health, University Medical Centre Groningen, University of Groningen, Groningen, the Netherlands.

3Department of Counselling Psychology, Seoul Cyber University, Seoul, Korea.

4Department of Social Welfare, Gachon University, Seongnam, Korea.

5Korea Employee Assistance Professionals Association, Seoul, Korea.

Address for correspondence: Jong-Min Woo, MD, MPH, PhD. Korea Employee Assistance Professionals Association, 1201, EuljiBizCenter, 45 Supyo-ro, Jung-gu, Seoul 04551, Korea. Tel +82-2-2261-0140, Fax +82-2-2261-2010, jongmin.woo@gmail.com

Received 30 September 2015       Revised 19 December 2015       Accepted 3 February 2016

Copyright © 2016 Korean Neuropsychiatric Association

Abstract

Objectives

Refugees from North Korea are at risk of a range of mental health problems, posing urgent problems to their care. A review of research on mental health prevalence and services can indicate directions for further study.

Methods

The authors administered a Delphi survey to 16 professionals who are working for North Korean refugees, including professors and field workers. The collected data was analyzed by descriptive statistics including mean and standard deviation and verified with content validity ratio.

Results

The results are as follows: 1) The most serious problem in the research area is the importance of quantitative research rather than qualitative for North Korean refugees, who are often very negative and uncooperative with questionnaires. 2) There is a great need to develop competence of mental health professionals who are working for North Korean refugees. 3) Most participants agreed to the necessity of longitudinal study to define the factors facilitating successful adaptation among North Korean refugees.

Conclusion

The following are our recommendations: 1) Appropriate measurements for North Korean refugees need to be developed reflecting their uniqueness. 2) Research of North Koreans has inherent selection bias. 3) It is essential to provide primary education on mental health to North Korean refugees.

Keywords: North Korea, Refugees, Delphi survey, Mental health

Figures and Tables

Table 1

General characteristics

jkna-55-185-i001
Table 2

Problems of studies on existing mental health status

jkna-55-185-i002

SD : Standard deviation, CVR : Content validity ratio

Table 3

Problems of support system on mental health services

jkna-55-185-i003

SD : Standard deviation, CVR : Content validity ratio

Table 4

Needs for mental health studies

jkna-55-185-i004

SD : Standard deviation, CVR : Content validity ratio

Notes

Conflicts of Interest The authors have no financial conflicts of interest.

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