title: Prevalence and Correlates of Depressive Symptoms among North Korean Defectors Living in South Korea for More than One Year.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This study examined the prevalence and correlates of depressive symptoms in North Korean defectors who have been living in South Korea for more than one year.
  
  
  METHODS
  We used questionnaires developed by the authors to collect sociodemographic data in addition to the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CES-D), the Psychosocial Well-being Index to measure stress, and a social support scale. A total of 367 subjects were included in this study.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The results showed that 30.5% of the men and 34.7% of the women reported depressive symptoms, and 33.1% of the men and 36.1% of the women exhibited signs of severe distress. Correlates of depressive symptoms were lack of occupation [odds ratio (OR)=2.198, 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.247-3.873], having escaped without family (OR=1.725, 95% CI, 1.006-2.959), and a poor subjective sense of health status (OR=3.111, 95% CI, 1.591-6.085).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Continuing vocational training and career management, psychological support programs, and intensive physical health services are needed to improve the mental health of this population.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry and Institute of Medical Science, Jeju National University School of Medicine, Jeju, Korea.
authors.forename: Bong-Hee
authors.initials: BH
authors.lastname: Jeon
authors.forename: Moon-Doo
authors.initials: MD
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Seong-Chul
authors.initials: SC
authors.lastname: Hong
authors.forename: Na-Ri
authors.initials: NR
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Chang-In
authors.initials: CI
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Young-Sook
authors.initials: YS
authors.lastname: Kwak
authors.forename: Joon-Hyuk
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Park
authors.forename: Jaehwan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Chung
authors.forename: Hanul
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Chong
authors.forename: Eun-Kyung
authors.initials: EK
authors.lastname: Jwa
authors.forename: Min-Ho
authors.initials: MH
authors.lastname: Bae
authors.forename: Sanghee
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Bora
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Yoo
authors.forename: Jun-Hwa
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Mi-Yeul
authors.initials: MY
authors.lastname: Hyun
authors.forename: Mi-Jeong
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Yang
authors.forename: Duk-Soo
authors.initials: DS
authors.lastname: Kim