Survey of Awareness and Concept of Insects in Korea

Abstract

To investigate the degree of individuals' concept and awareness of insects, a survey study was conducted with students and adults living in Korea. The misconception rate for insects was about 50% for both students and adults, but it was lower for students and people who had experienced insect-related events than for adults and those who had not. The highest misconception rate was obtained in answer to a question about the basic structure of an insect. Most people had a high awareness of insects. Significant differences and correlations for the awareness of insects were found between students and adults, men and women, people who had experienced insect-related events and those who had not. The experience of an insect-related event most influenced awareness of insects. These results suggest that increasing people's interest in insects and utilizing insects in treatment situations may be beneficial for the field of mental healthcare. IntroductionInsects are among the most diverse groups of animals; the number of existing species is estimated to be between six and ten million (Chapman, 2006;Vojtech et al., 2002). These animals are found in nearly every environment. Humans regard certain insects as pests and attempt to control them using insecticides; however, most insects perform complex ecological roles and provide either direct or indirect economic benefits to humans (Cherniack, 2010;Ratcliffe et al., 2011). Insect pollinators are also essential to the life-cycles of many flowering plant species, upon which most organisms are at least partly dependent (Klein et al., 2007). Recently, the importance of insects as food sources or as pets has increased in many countries, including Korea. Various therapies have been developed to prevent this problem, including music therapy, art therapy, play therapy, drama therapy, horticultural therapy, and animal-assisted therapy, among others (Marcus, 2013;Söderback et al., 2004;Solanki et al., 2013).The rearing or observation of insects can provide some humans with good feelings or even affection; therefore, it is possible that insects may be used effectively as a therapeutic tool. In this study, we performed a survey analysis examining

Effects of an insect‐mediated mental healthcare program for mentally disordered children

“…The questions were simple and clear, and the questionnaire's reliability and stability had been previously demonstrated (Bae et al . , ). One to two‐hour insect‐mediated mental healthcare program sections were run in the afternoon once weekly for eight weeks (Table ).…”

“…The questionnaires included items that measured depression, self-worth, selfconcept, satisfaction with school life, knowledge of insects, affinity for insects and interest in insects. The questions were simple and clear, and the questionnaire's reliability and stability had been previously demonstrated (Bae et al 2013(Bae et al , 2014. One to two-hour insect-mediated mental healthcare program sections were run in the afternoon once weekly for eight weeks (Table 1).…”

“…Previous studies have shown mostly positive responses in people through surveys of people's preferences for insects (Bae et al . , ). The rearing and observation of insects and insect‐related events can provide positive feelings or even affection in children; therefore, it is possible that insects may be used effectively as a therapeutic tool.…”

Positive affect of insect-mediated mental healthcare program to adolescent's emotions

“…The questionnaires included items that measured planning, subjective quality of life, self-reported depression, self-worth. The questions were simple and clear, and the questionnaire's reliability and stability had been previously demonstrated (Bae et al, 2014;Bae et al, 2013). One or twohours insect-mediated mental healthcare program sections were run in the morning once weekly for 10 wk ( therapy, art therapy, play therapy, drama therapy, horticultural therapy, dance therapy, and animal-assisted therapy (Marcus 2013;Maratos et al, 2011;RenXia 2013;Chinekesh et al, 2014;Hussain 2010).…”

“…Previous studies showed that insects are felt mostly positive in people through surveys of peoples' preferences for insects (Bae et al, 2014;Bae et al, 2013). The rearing and observation of insects and insect-related events may provide positive feelings and even affection in adolescents.…”