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. 2024 Aug;33(4):967-977.
doi: 10.1111/inm.13298. Epub 2024 Jan 30.

Development and evaluation of a post-traumatic growth promotion programme for North Korean refugees

Ae-Kyung Chang  1 , Ah-Young Kim  1 , Sun-Hui Kim  2
Affiliations

Development and evaluation of a post-traumatic growth promotion programme for North Korean refugees

Ae-Kyung Chang et al. Int J Ment Health Nurs. 2024 Aug.

Abstract

North Korean refugees exposed to traumatic events often experience a high recurrence of post-traumatic stress disorder symptoms. However, a post-traumatic growth programme has the potential to transform these traumatic events into increasing post-traumatic growth, reduced emotional stress and enhanced well-being. This study investigated the effects of a post-traumatic growth promotion programme on post-traumatic stress disorder recovery among North Korean refugees. Using a non-equivalent control group non-synchronised pretest-posttest design, 60 North Korean refugees who have been in South Korea for 6-8 or 12-13 years were assigned to the experimental (post-traumatic growth promotion programme; n = 30) or control group (post-traumatic growth promotion education brochure; n = 30). The programme comprised group sessions and discussions, each lasting 120 min/session, conducted twice a week for 5 weeks. Mindfulness, anxiety, depression, blood cortisol and post-traumatic growth were assessed at baseline, immediately after intervention and 4 weeks after intervention. The findings showed the programme was effective in significantly increasing post-traumatic growth and decreasing anxiety, depression and cortisol level. The two-way analysis of variance showed a significant interaction between groups and time. Consequently, this post-traumatic growth promotion programme can be utilised as a non-invasive, cost-effective and safe intervention for promoting post-traumatic growth and well-being among North Korean refugees.

Keywords: intervention; mindfulness; north Korean refugee; post‐traumatic growth; promotion programme.

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