A Study of Predictive Factors Affecting Health: Promoting Behaviors of North Korean Adolescent Refugees

Abstract

Objectives:The present study aimed to analyze the factors that could affect the health-promoting behaviors of North Korean adolescent refugees residing in South Korea.Methods:Questions about their sociodemographic variables, subjective health status, healthy living habits, and health-promoting behaviors were asked.Results:Statistically significant differences were found in religion (t=2.30, p<0.05), having family members in South Korea (t=2.02, p<0.05), and subjective health status (t=4.96, p<0.01). Scores on health-responsible behaviors were higher with higher age (t=2.90, p<0.01) and for subjects without family or friends (t=2.43, p<0.05). Higher physical-activity behaviors were observed in males (t=3.32, p<0.01), in those with better subjective health status (t=3.46, p<0.05) and lower body mas index (t=3.48, p<0.05), and in smokers (t=3.17, p<0.01). Nutritional behaviors were higher in those who followed a religion (t=2.17, p<0.05). Spiritual growth behaviors were higher in those who followed a religion (t=4.21, p<0.001), had no family in South Korea (t=2.04, p<0.05), and had higher subjective health status (t=5.74, p<0.01). Scores on interpersonal relationships and stress-management behaviors were higher for those with higher subjective health status. A multiple regression analysis showed greater effects on health-promoting behaviors when subjective health status was better. Older people and non-smokers exhibited more health-responsible behaviors, while more physical-activity behaviors and spiritual growth activities were observed when subjective health status was better. Interpersonal relationship behaviors had positive effects on those with good subjective heath status and on non-smokers.Conclusions:Based on the results of the current study, an alternative was suggested for promoting health in North Korean adolescent refugees.

The Role of Stress Management in the Relationship between Purpose in Life and Self-Rated Health in Teachers: A Mediation Analysis

“…The results also supported these previous findings. On the other hand, results indicated that stress management also significantly directly affected SRH, which was in line with previous studies showing that individuals with better stress management behaviors reported better subjective health status [ 20 ]. McGregor et al found that women with early-stage breast cancer had improved lymphocyte proliferation after a 10-week stress management intervention [ 21 ].…”

“…Stress management involves changing the stressful situation, dealing with problems, taking care of yourself, and making time for rest and relaxation. Stress management is reported to be positively associated with better SRH [ 20 ]. Studies suggest that stress management is related to improved immune function [ 21 ].…”

Reciprocal Prediction between Impulsivity and Problematic Internet Use among North Korean Refugee Youths in South Korea by Gender and Adverse Childhood Experience

“…Participants’ ages and the proportion of males to females in the present study were similar to a study by Noh et al [ 38 ] (mean age 19.9±2.4 years, female 61.0%), who enrolled participants from alternative schools for North Korean adolescent refugees, local Hana Centers, and communities. However, our participants were older and had a higher proportion of females compared to a study by Lee et al [ 8 ] (mean age 16.39±2.36 years, female 33.3%), wherein the participants were students of one middle and high school for North Korean adolescent refugees, and a study by Kim et al [ 39 ] (mean age 15.8±1.9 years, female 37.9%) that used data from the Korea Youth Risk Behavior Web-Based Survey.…”

Effects of a Lifestyle Intervention on Health-Promoting Behavior, Psychological Distress and Reproductive Health of Overweight and Obese Female College Students

“…Higher scores indicate better health-promoting lifestyle behavior. The Korean version of the HPLP-II has well-established validity and reliability [ 23 ]. In this study, the Cronbach’s alpha for HPLP-II was 0.92, and Cronbach’s alphas of the subscales were 0.80 for health responsibility, 0.80 for physical activity, 0.74 for nutrition, 0.90 for spiritual growth, 0.84 for interpersonal relationships, and 0.74 for stress management.…”