ScholarWorks@숙명여자대학교

초록

This study aims to apply community detection algorithms within network analysis to cluster symptoms of PTSD, anxiety, and depression among North Korean refugees and examine their association with suicidality, providing a foundation for targeted interventions to support their mental health recovery. Data were obtained from the 2017 North Korean Defectors’ Human Rights Trauma Survey, conducted by the National Medical Center, and a total of 155 high-risk PTSD cases were analyzed. The key findings are as follows. First, network analysis revealed that 'uncontrollable worry', a symptom of anxiety (GAD-7), was the most central symptom within the network. Second, applying a community detection algorithm resulted in four distinct symptom clusters: (1) negative alterations in cognitions and mood, (2) intrusive anxiety, (3) depressive symptoms, and (4) dysphoric arousal. Third, among the symptom clusters, only intrusive anxiety—comprising PTSD intrusive symptoms and a subset of anxiety symptoms—was significantly associated with suicidality. Based on these findings, clinical intervention strategies were suggested to enhance the mental health recovery of North Korean refugees identified as a high-risk group.

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