Earticle

Purpose: This study aimed to examine the influence of depression on health behaviors (daily smoking, serious drinking, having physical activity and breakfast among Korean adolescents. Methods: The data for the study were obtained from the 18th (2022) Korea Youth Risk Behavior Survey. The final sample consisted of 51,847 cases after excluding missing data. Multivariate logistic regression, Multilinear regression, Chi square, t-test, and an analysis of variance were used for data analysis. Results: Adolescents who experienced depression were 2.35 times more likely to smoke daily, 2.97 times more likely to drink seriously. As adolescents were more depressed, the number of days they had breakfast in the past 7 days decreased (B=-0.34, p<.001). However, in contrast to expectations prior to the study, depression caused to increase the number of days per week spent engaging in physical exercise (B=0.24, p<.001). It was believed that the school environment(physical education, going to and from school acted as a moderating variable in the relationship between depression and physical activity of adolescents. Additionally, it could be explained that depressed adolescents might try to relieve their depression through physical activity rather than focusing on their studies. Conclusion: This study was conducted to test the hypothesis that adolescent depression would negatively impact on health behaviors (such as drinking, smoking, and nutrition). It was found that adolescent depression increased the likelihood of daily smoking and serious drinking, but caused to skip breakfast. Our findings suggest that in promoting the physical health of adolescents, managing depression is a crucial factor.

Purpose: This study was conducted to identify and compare the factors influencing depression in early adolescence, focusing on 4th-grade elementary and 1st-grade middle school students. Methods: The research is based on the data from the first 2018 Korean Children and Youth Panel Study conducted by the Korea Institute for Policy Research, targeting a total of 5,165 participants, including 2,587 4th-grade elementary and 2,578 1st-grade middle school students. The data were analyzed using the SPSS/WIN 25.0 program, applying descriptive statistics, t-tests, ANOVA, Pearson's correlation coefficient and multiple regression analysis. Results: Common factors influencing depression in both elementary and middle school students were self-esteem, aggression, gender, peer relationships, satisfaction with school life, and inconsistency in parental attitudes. Notably, self-esteem and aggression had the greatest impact on depression in both groups. Factors that significantly influenced elementary school students were relationships with teachers and rejection from parental attitudes, while the factor unique to middle school students was academic achievement. Conclusion: To prevent depression in 4th-grade elementary and 1st-grade middle school students, it is essential to develop and implement programs that enhance self-esteem and reduce aggression. Measures to improve peer relationships and satisfaction with school life, along with consistent parenting practices, are also necessary. In particular, nurturing and affectionate parenting is important for elementary schoolers, while middle school students should be supported to prevent difficulties related to academic achievement.

Purpose: This study was conducted for the purpose of determining whether the interaction between gender and family economic status affects the experience of being a victim of school violence, after adjusting for covariates. Methods: The study analyzed the data from the ‘2022 Survey on the Human Rights of Children and Adolescents.’ A total of 5,732 middle and high school students were included in the analysis. Descriptive statistics, t-test, ANOVA, Pearson correlation coefficient, and ANCOVA were performed using SAS 9.2. Results: The univariate analysis showed that certain groups had a significantly higher likelihood of experiencing school violence victimization: middle school students, males, those from low socioeconomic backgrounds & with no support system, and those displaying symptoms of depression or anxiety (p<.001 for all). Additionally, students who reported experiences of neglect, negative school life, or low self-esteem were also at higher risk (p<.001 for all). When considering factors such as school level, support systems, depression, anxiety, experiences of neglect, overall school life, and self-esteem, a significant interaction between gender and family economic status was observed (p=.017). In particular, among boys the likelihood of being a victim of school violence was higher in the order of lower, higher, and middle economic levels of family. On the other hand, for girls family economic status did not appear to correlate with their experience of school violence victimization. Conclusion: The interaction between gender and family economic status was confirmed in the analysis. Notably, boys from low socioeconomic backgrounds exhibited the highest risk of becoming victims of school violence. Therefore, it is essential to identify this group as high-risk and implement targeted interventions to address their specific vulnerabilities.

Purpose: The study aimed to evaluate the effects of an integrated obesity management program on dietary habits, physical fitness, body composition, and health risk factors in severely obese elementary school children. Methods: This single-group pre-post study included 56 severely obese 4th and 5th graders. The 16-week integrated obesity management program consisted of health counseling & education, nutrition counseling & education, combined exercise training, and forest activities. Dietary habits, physical fitness, body composition, and health risk factors were measured before and after the program. Results: After the program, significant improvements were observed in the restraint domain of dietary habits (p<.001), muscle strength (p=.001), cardiorespiratory endurance (p=.002), height (p<.001), body mass index (p<.001), lean body mass (p=.005), muscle mass (p=.013), and body fat percentage (p<.001). Liver function indicators (AST, ALT, γ-GTP) significantly decreased (p<.001), while HDL cholesterol increased (p=.001). However, muscular endurance and flexibility decreased significantly (p=.015 and p=.001, respectively). Conclusion: The integrated obesity management program was effective in improving dietary habits, physical fitness, body composition, and metabolic health indicators in severely obese elementary school children. This program could be a valuable intervention for managing childhood obesity in schools and communities. Future research should focus on long-term effects and strategies to improve muscular endurance and flexibility.

Purpose: This study aimed to investigate the stress and depression levels among adolescents during the COVID-19 period (2020-2022) using the raw data from the 8th Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. Methods: Utilizing the data from the 8th Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, 894 adolescents aged 12-18 residing in Korea were selected as participants. The characteristics of the participants were analyzed using complex sample frequency analysis. Differences in stress depending on the characteristics of the participants were analyzed using complex sample t-test and complex sample ANOVA. Differences in depression depending on the characteristics of the participants were analyzed using complex sample cross-tabulation analysis (Rao-Scott test). The effects on stress were analyzed using complex sample general linear model. Results: The study found that over the three years, female students showed higher levels of stress and depression than male students. Analysis of stress differences revealed significant differences depending on health status and survey year. Stress was higher in 2020 compared to 2021. Analysis of depression differences showed significant differences depending on the type of school, smoking status, health status, and survey year. Depression was higher in 2022 compared to 2021. Conclusion: The study confirmed increased stress and depression levels of Korean adolescents during the COVID-19 pandemic. Based on these findings, it is considered necessary to develop mental health promotion programs that take into account the characteristics and gender differences of adolescents.

Purpose: This study aims to investigate the factors associated with experience of sexual intercourse and use of contraceptives among Korean adolescents. Methods: The secondary data analysis was conducted utilizing the 19th (2023) Korea Youth Risk Behavior Web-based Survey, with a total enrollment of 52,880 students. Descriptive statistics, Rao-Scott x2 test, and logistic regression were performed using SPSS 25.0. Results: The study identified factors associated with experience of sexual intercourse were gender, school year, academic performance, residential type, socioeconomic status, type of school, drinking and smoking habit, habitual or purposeful drug use, smartphone overdependency, sexual education experience, perceived body image and feeling sadness and hopelessness. Factors associated with use of contraceptives were school year, residential type, socioeconomic status, smoking habit, smartphone overdependency, sexual education experience and feeling sadness & hopelessness. Conclusion: The results suggest that sexual health interventions for high-risk groups be needed, given the factors predicting sexual intercourse and use of contraceptives.

Purpose: This study aims to examine the factors influencing teasing among adolescents, focusing on its associations with self-esteem, moral sensitivity, and relationship satisfaction with parents and peers. The goal is to provide insights that can support the development of interventions to reduce the incidence and adverse effects of teasing within school settings, ultimately fostering a safer and more inclusive school environment for all students. Methods: This cross-sectional study utilized the Child-Adolescent Teasing Scale, Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale, Moral Sensitivity Scale, and relationship satisfaction assessments. Descriptive statistics, independent t-tests, ANOVA, Pearson's correlations, and multiple regression analyses were conducted to assess the prevalence of teasing and its association with key psychosocial factors. Participants were recruited from multiple middle schools, representing a diverse adolescent population. The data were collected through self-reported surveys, ensuring confidentiality to encourage honest responses. Results: The study found a significant correlation among teasing, self-esteem, and moral sensitivity. Higher teasing levels were linked to increased moral sensitivity and lower self-esteem, alongside less satisfaction in adolescents' relationships with parents and peers. Teasing prevalence was observed across gender and age groups, suggesting its widespread nature and relevance. These findings are crucial for school education and health professionals to develop targeted interventions to reduce teasing and its adverse outcomes. Understanding these dynamics enables educators and policymakers to address adolescent teasing, contributing to healthier school environments. Conclusion: This study underscores the importance of school psychological perspectives in adolescent health, highlighting the need for proactive, evidence-based strategies in school health interventions and policies. Such strategies should address the social and emotional development of adolescents, equipping them with skills to build positive peer relationships and constructively manage conflicts.

Purpose: This study investigated the effectiveness of various tumbler cleaning methods among college students and evaluated changes in their hygiene awareness following an educational intervention. Methods: Using a single-group pre-and-post-experimental design, we examined the impact of educational intervention on bacterial counts and participants' hygiene awareness and attitudes. The study was conducted between November 1st and 30th, 2024, on 130 college students who volunteered to participate after online recruitment. Results: The Staphylococcus aureus Petrifilm analysis of oral hydration solution residues demonstrated that cleaning with a combination of warm water, detergent, and a cleaning brush significantly reduced bacterial counts compared to using cold water or cleaning without detergent. Following the educational intervention emphasizing proper cleaning techniques, participants showed significant improvement in their awareness of tumbler hygiene management. Conclusion: The study confirmed that cleaning methods incorporating warm water, appropriate detergent, and a cleaning brush effectively prevent bacterial growth in high-moisture environment such as tumblers. Furthermore, the educational intervention successfully enhanced participants' awareness and practices of tumbler hygiene, underscoring the importance of proper cleaning methods for health promotion and sustainable use.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to identify the factors affecting the human papillomavirus vaccination of female nursing students based on the the theory of health belief model. Methods: As a descriptive research study, the data collection was conducted using a structured questionnaire to survey female nursing students at three universities from August 29 to September 5, 2024, and the final data of 244 students were analyzed. Results: Of the 244 subjects, 97 (39.8%) received HPV vaccination. Significant influencing variables of HPV vaccination compliance were perceived barriers (OR=0.63), triggers for action (OR=2.52), and attitudes toward HPV vaccination (OR=2.37). Conclusion: In conclusion, to improve the vaccination rate of female nursing students, it is considered effective to develop an educational program that emphasizes perceived barriers, triggers for action, and attitudes toward HPV vaccination.

Purpose: This study aimed to examine the effects of an infection control education program on nursing students' infection control knowledge, attitudes, and preventive behaviors and to evaluate the effectiveness of the program. Methods: This study utilized a quasi-experimental design with nonequivalent control group pre-post tests. The study was conducted in November 2024, targeting 31 second-year nursing students from a university in the G region (15 in the experimental and 16 in the control group). The experimental group participated in a four-week infection control education program (once a week, 2 hours per session), while the control group received no intervention. The effects of the education were evaluated through pre-and-post-surveys measuring infection control knowledge, attitudes, and preventive behaviors. Results: The infection control education program significantly improved nursing students' infection control knowledge (t=-3.29, p=.005). However, no significant changes were observed in infection control attitudes or preventive behaviors, suggesting that changes in attitudes and behaviors require more than short-term education and may need repetitive and long-term learning environment with reinforcement. Conclusion: The study confirms that infection control education effectively enhances nursing students' infection control knowledge. It highlights the need for repetitive and practice-oriented long-term education programs in future curriculum designs. This study provides the direction for strengthening nursing students' infection control competencies and underscores the necessity of future research to verify long-term changes in attitudes and behaviors.