Asian Nurs Res.  2016 Jun;10(2):164-172. 10.1016/j.anr.2016.04.003.

A Predictive Model on North Korean Refugees' Adaptation to South Korean Society: Resilience in Response to Psychological Trauma

• Lim SH
• Han SS

• KMID: 2374309
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.1016/j.anr.2016.04.003

Abstract

PURPOSE
This study investigated prediction of North Korean refugees' adaptation to the South Korean society and verified the goodness of fit between a hypothetical model and actual data in order to suggest the best model.
METHODS
This survey was conducted with 445 North Korean refugees living in a metropolitan area. Data were collected from September 1st to November 20th, 2012, and analyzed using SPSS Windows 18.0 and AMOS 17.0.
RESULTS
Traumatic experiences of North Korean refugees increased self-efficacy and psychological trauma. Acculturation stress decreased self-efficacy and increased passive coping. Self-efficacy affected active and passive coping, decreased psychological trauma, and increased resilience. Resilience is successful adaptation and refers to North Korean refugees' abilities to adapt effectively to stress. In particular, self-efficacy as the main parameter affecting resilience was confirmed.
CONCLUSIONS
The results suggest that resilience can be improved through self-efficacy. It was the most significant factor decreasing psychological trauma and increasing resilience. Therefore, we need to develop programs for self-efficacy. The results also provide basic data for policy making for North Korean refugees.

Keyword

adaptation; resilience; self-efficacy

MeSH Terms

Acculturation
Adaptation, Psychological/*physiology
Adult
Aged
Democratic People's Republic of Korea/ethnology
Female
Humans
Male
Middle Aged
Models, Theoretical
Personal Satisfaction
Psychological Trauma/*ethnology
Refugees/*psychology
Republic of Korea/epidemiology
Resilience, Psychological
Self Efficacy
Young Adult