A Survey on Psychological Counseling Support for North Korean Defectors : Focusing on their Socio-Psychological Adaptation Counseling Experience and Needs

The purpose of this study was to explore the psychological and adaptive difficulties, faced by North Korean defectors as well as their counseling experiences and The participants in this study were 172 North Korean defectors (80 males, and 92 females) in South Korea. The data were analyzed through independent sample t-test and frequency analysis chi-square test. The results could be summarized as follows:,-First, the levels of depression, anxiety, and somatization among the respondents were found to be lower than the average values of 3 points. However, their scores for PTSD were higher than the clinical standard of 15 points, indicating that this sample of North Korean defectors was generally suffering from PTSD. Second, it was revealed that women, people who had been settled in South Korean society for less than 5 years, and people without social support experienced more psychological and adaptive difficulties; these groups would therefore be the logical first targets for. psychological counseling support. Third, one of the most difficult things North Korean defectors faced in adapting to life in South Korea was interrelationships. Lastly, North Korean defectors responded that they needed an organization that could provide psychological counseling tailored to their particular socio-cultural and psycho-behavioral characteristics, and that they would be willing to use such an organization if it were established. These results, led to a discussion of future directions for psychological counseling for North Korean defectors.