남북주민 통합을 위한 정신건강전략 - 남한 내 북한이탈주민, 저소득주민, 일반주민의 비교를 통하여 -

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to identify the mental health strategy of North Korean defectors who live in South Korea, and to draw implications for the integration between South and North Korea's residents. This study was to verify empirically how traumatic experiences during the escape from the North and stresses, hopelessness and depressions experienced in the South. It was also to establish intervening strategies in social aspects by identifying what social problem solving capabilities and social supports might play roles in effecting hopelessness and depression. Through comparative analysis among the three groups (North Korean defectors, low-income residents and general residents), a clear conclusion was drawn.The target group of this study was 134 North Korean defector subjects, 175 low-income and 260 general residents in South Korea. The following are the major results of the study. First, in terms of traumatic experiences, stress, hopelessness and depression, higher marks appeared in the order of North Korean defectors, low-income and general residents. Second, in all the three groups, social problem solving capabilities and social support showed negativeiy influence on hopelessness and depression. But the North Korean defectors, Social support did not show any significant differences. Conclusively, the core of the study was to propose the necessity and methods of systematic and phased intervention, as North Koreans living in South Korea could have more serious problems in their mental health by staying in South Korea. Additionally, the social factors(social problem solving capability and social support) assumed to make positive influence on the mental health of North Korean defectors in South Korea were proved to draw implications for the integration between South and North Korea's residents.