Hwa-Byung is characterized by feelings of anger or resent about unreasonable social violence and trauma. Although Prevalence of Hwa-Byung is high in middle-aged, recently Hwa-Byung is occurred in young people. And it is suggested that young Hwa-Byung patients will show different patterns from middle-aged.

The purpose of present study was to qualitatively analyze young Hwa-Byung patients’ experiences of symptoms and psychological characteristics related to antecedent events of Hwa-Byung.

10 women aged 20s were Interviewed using semi-structured questionnaires to in-depth study on their experiences related to Hwa-Byung. The interview data were analyzed using phenomenological approach in order to understand the essence of experiences. In particular, it was analyzed through five steps according to Giorgi (1985). First, by repeatedly reading the material, recurring themes were identified. Second, the meaning units were divided to capture important parts of participants’ statements. Third, similar meaning units were grouped together. Fourth, the determined meaning units were described in psychological term. Finally, research data were integrated and presented according to the described meaning units. Reliability between coders was higher than the minimum reliability coefficient.

In symptoms, two themes and seven sub-themes were emerged. In psychological characteristics, three components and five sub-themes were derived. In particular, the antecedent events of young Hwa-Byung patients were related to vertical social relationships, suggesting that Hwa-Byung need to be understood under social context which make them angry.

Present study revealed the social context of Hwa-Byung by discussing the differences between young and middle-aged patients, and furthermore, differences between Hwa-Byung and depression, PTSD patients.

No significant relationships.

Hwa-Byung is a cultural-related mental syndrome that reflects the cultural characteristics of Korean in DSM-IV. This syndrome is caused by anger or resentment towards unreasonable social violence and trauma.

The purpose of this study is to revise and validate the ’Hwa-Byung scale’, which can be used to diagnose Hwa-Byung and evaluate the severity of its symptoms.

To begin with, the factors of the Hwa-Byung scale were set based on the previous studies. Additionally, the respective subfactors were generated by the semi-structured interviews with these patients. Based on these factors and previous studies, a 142-item pool was developed and verified by six Oriental Neuropsychiatrists. A pilot study was conducted on 50 patients with Hwa-Byung and the main study for the validation was conducted on 200 Hwa-Byung patients. Item analysis, internal consistency, and exploratory/confirmatory factor analysis were performed. Lastly, this study analyzed the ROC curve to present the diagnostic cut-off score of the scale.

As a result of analyzing the content validity of the item pool, we constructed a preliminary scale. We excluded the inadequate questions from the pilot study results. In the main study, The Hwa-Byung scale showed high internal consistency and its items were suitable for the factor structure. Finally, we suggest an optimal cut-off score of the symptoms sub-scale for screening Hwa-Byung.

Overall, the results of this study indicated the reliability and validity of the Hwa-Byung Scale. Based on these results, we discussed several values and limitations of this study and provided suggestions for further research.

No significant relationships.

Hwa-Byung is a mental syndrome classified as a “cultural-related syndrome” which reflects the cultural characteristics of Korea in DSM-IV. Hwa-Byung is caused by anger, which is characterized by feelings of anger or resent about unreasonable social violence and trauma. Kwon et al (2008) had developed self-report measure to assess severity of Hwa-Byung but it has several limitations to use in current clinical settings. Therefore, we investigated opinions of experts who have professionality in giving treatment of Hwa-Byung patients in the clinical settings.

The present study aimed to reach consent of oriental neuropsychiatrists’ opinions about the direction of revision of the Hwa-Byung scale.

The Delphi method is a survey method that induces people to freely present their opinions without face-to-face processes and reaches consent through continuous feedback of survey results while ensuring anonymity. The Consensus Panel consists of 16 experts who are Oriental neuropsychiatrists and have experience in diagnosing patients with Hwa-Byung. A total of four surveys were conducted as consensus was reached on the fourth round. Each questionnaire was distributed by mail to a panel of experts and was asked to submit a response after receiving the questionnaire.

The results of the study are as follows. First, common factors for Hwa-Byung include anger, resent/blame, modify memory bias and attention bias for anger events. Second, characteristics of young Hwa-Byung patients include stress caused by social factors and excessive immersion in certain things such as drinking or smoking.

Therefore, when revising the Hwa-Byung scale, it would be necessary to include these factors.

No significant relationships.

Hwa-Byung is a unique syndrome based on social-cultural background of South Korea. However, the definition of Hwa-Byung has not been established. For example, Hwa-Byung Diagnostic Interview Schedule(Kim, Kwon, Lee & Park, 2004) and Hwa-Byung Scale(Kwon et al., 2008) that are generally used in clinical practices defined Hwa-Byung differently. According to this, there is a slight difference in the symptoms that are measured.

The purpose of our study is to establish the concept and symptoms of Hwa-Byung.

First, we review DSM-4, previous literatures and concept of Hwa-Byung in assessment tools. Through this, core features and characteristic symptoms are consisted. Second, a concept of Hwa-Byung that this study constructed is reviewed by clinical psychologists and Korean oriental psychiatrists. Finally, concepts and symptoms are defined.

Comprehensive definition of Hwa-Byung is established. Hwa-Byung was identified as a syndrome with symptoms that exploded in the form of anger because emotions such as anger could not be resolved. psychological symptoms include resentment, the baggage of mind, or a representative symptom of han. And physical symptoms include feeling heavy, heat, rush, lumps in the neck or chest. Finally, these physical and psychological symptoms are associated with distinct stressful events.

Our study defined the concept and categorized for physical and emotional symptoms of Hwa-Byung. This result suggests that it can contribute to the development and revision of the Hwa-Byung assessment tools.

No significant relationships.