OBJECTIVE:This study investigated how adolescents' experience of suicidal ideation over time relates to academic and career development, both of which are regarded as critical areas of development. Specifically, we examined how latent trajectories of suicidal ideation are associated with academic engagement, academic helplessness, and career adaptability. METHOD:Latent class growth analysis (LCGA) and regression analyses were conducted using six waves of data from the middle school panel of the Korean Children and Youth Panel Survey 2018 (2018-2023; N = 1,936). RESULTS:Four distinct latent trajectories of suicidal ideation were identified, characterized by significant group differences in academic and career-related variables: elevated-plummet (7.0%), moderate-surge (8.7%), moderate-rise (38.6%), and persistently low (45.7%). Results showed that both current and past levels of suicidal ideation were associated with academic engagement and helplessness, whereas career adaptability was more strongly linked to current experiences of suicidal ideation. CONCLUSIONS:These findings advance existing scholarship by shifting attention from antecedents of suicidal ideation to developmental experiences. Moreover, the findings highlight high-priority areas for early intervention among adolescents experiencing suicidal ideation and provide empirical evidence to inform the design of programs aimed at strengthening academic and career competencies.

The rapidly evolving nature of adolescent risk behaviors, facilitated by the widespread use of digital devices and advancements in information and communication technology, presents a significant challenge for fully understanding this phenomenon and intervening effectively. Social big data potentially offers several advantages over traditional data collection methods; important information can be collected in a more flexible and open-ended manner, without requiring self-disclosure or personal identification. This study analyzed South Korean online text documents (N = 201,914) generated from January 1, 2018 to June 30, 2019 that contained the term "adolescent delinquency" and terms representing subcategories of delinquency. Latent Dirichlet Allocation was performed to identify underlying thematic structures. Five topics concerning representations of adolescent risk behaviors are as follows: (1) Traditional bullying, especially relational bullying that co-occurs in online space. (2) Illegal distribution and covert disclosure of personal information that is possibly used for sex-involved risk behaviors. (3) Risk behaviors linked with adolescent status and consequent vulnerabilities. (4) Sexual exploitation, as well as the involvement of digital technology in mediating these risk behaviors, and the need for protection against exploitation. (5) Experiences of sexual violence and related outcomes. This exploratory study contributes to providing insight into the multifaceted and evolving nature of adolescent risk behaviors within the rapidly changing digital environment. Such findings may inform policy and interventions aimed at addressing the unique vulnerabilities faced by adolescents amid emerging digital risks.

Recently in South Korea the increasing prevalence of school dropouts and the declining age at which students leave school have drawn renewed attention to this issue. In line with preventive efforts and recognizing early signs of leaving school, the current study aims to identify a set of variables that are most important for understanding the experience of school dropout among South Korean adolescents. Data from two independent panel studies collected by the National Youth Policy Institute in South Korea were merged and analyzed in this study: Korean Children and Youth Panel Study (N = 1646, age = 15.90, girls = 50.73%) and Dropout Youth Panel Study (N = 609, age = 16.84, girls = 56.16%). We applied machine learning algorithms to classify the experience of school dropout using two analytic methods: random forest and decision tree. A total of 36 features from personal, family, school, peer, and community domains were used in the analyses. Specifically, adolescent behavioral characteristics (truancy, smoking, drinking, media use), family structure, teacher relationship, group bullying victimization, and collective efficacy, were consistently identified as significant features of school dropout in random forest and decision tree models. Such information, which highlights a broad spectrum of important factors within adolescents' ecological systems, may provide a scientific knowledge base for school-level prevention efforts. By identifying these features, social workers and educators may develop early warning systems against school dropouts and accurately screen adolescents with high risk.

The family is a crucial ecological system that shapes adolescent risk behaviors in many ways. However, existing studies have mostly focused on how selective family variables are linked to adolescent's engagement in risky behavior rather than considering a comprehensive set of family domains. Although new forms of risky behaviors via technical devices are prevalent among adolescents, the relationship between online risk behaviors and family factors has not been fully investigated. In response to these research gaps, the current study aimed to (1) investigate the latent profiles of family characteristics as represented by four domains (parent-adolescent relationship, socioeconomic and demographic characteristics, parental psychological well-being, and family smart phone use); and (2) examine features of latent family profiles most associated with adolescent offline and online risk behaviors. Data were drawn from the second wave of the Korean Children and Youth Panel Survey (KCYPS) (N = 2,197), which is nationally representative of South Korean middle school students. A total of eighteen family indicators were used in the latent profile analysis. Five heterogeneous subgroups of unique family experiences emerged: low perceived socioeconomic status (SES), poor family environment, high-quality and low-quantity parenting, high perceived SES, and positive parent-youth relationship. Results from logistic regression suggested that the poor family environment group had the highest risk of engaging in both types of risk behaviors. The findings lend support for adapting a comprehensive approach in addressing various dimensions of family needs and provide insight for future intervention programs and services.

There is a growing concern towards the risk of cyber violence among young digital natives. This study tested the applicability of routine activity theory in the cyber domain using a national sample of 2228 South Korean adolescents. Latent profile analysis was used to identify the conditions of the motivated offender, suitable target, and capable guardian within the online context. Low-risk, detached norm, and comprehensive-risk profiles emerged. Binary logistic regression indicated that adolescents in the comprehensive-risk profile were most likely to experience cyber violence, compared to other profiles. The risk of perpetration was greater for the low-risk profile than the detached norm profile. This study identified the contexts of youth that heighten the risk of cyber violence and suggested important points of intervention.

본 연구는 디지털 시대의 구조적 특징이 청소년 비행에 미치는 보편적이고 공통적인 특징과 영향, 그리고 그 과정을 드러내는 것을 목적으로 한다. 이를 위해 보호소년 14명과 일반 청소년 13명을 대상으로 개인 심층 면접을 진행하였다. 선행연구에서는 이 두 집단의 비행 및 행동문제를 개인 요인이나 청소년과 직접 상호작용하는 가족, 또래, 학교 등과의 역기능적 관계에서 설명해 왔으나, 본 연구는 디지털 사회구조에 내재된 보편적 위험에 노출되어 살아가는 청소년들의 공통적 경험에 초점을 두고자 하였다. 연구결과, 디지털 세계의 윤리와 규범의 부재로 청소년들이 온라인 공간에서 위험에 무분별하게 노출되고, 혼란을 경험하는 사회구조가 드러났다. 또한, 디지털 시대의 유연한 전환 구조에서, 청소년의 적극적인 정보의 이용자이자 생산자로서 특성이 비행과 범죄의 유인 요인으로 작용할 수 있는 사회구조가 드러났다. 마지막으로 사회 전반의 집단적 신념의 변화가 디지털 기술의 발전을 매개로 청소년 세대에 여과 없이 전달되고 있었고, 이는 비행 행동을 정당화하는 가치관을 내재할 위험을 증가시키는 것을 확인할 수 있었다. 이를 통해 본 연구는 이러한 구조적 변화가 청소년들의 일상 전반을 둘러싸고 영향을 미치고 있음을 이해하고, 청소년 개인을 낙인찍고 비난하는 대신 사회적 지원과 지도를 제공하는 협력 구조가 필요함을 주장하고자 한다. 나아가 디지털 환경에서의 청소년 보호를 위해서는 새로운 사회적 규범의 확립과 다학제적 연구를 기반으로 한 구조적 변화가 수반되어야 함을 강조한다.

Background: Extant literature has primarily employed linear models to estimate the average effect of spanking on children. Less is known about child and parent characteristics that may predict differential risks of children's exposure to spanking (i.e., pre-treatment heterogeneity) and the effect of spanking on child outcomes that may differ by the propensity for spanking (i.e., post-treatment heterogeneity). Objective: The present study examines pre- and post-treatment heterogeneity in the association between maternal spanking at child age 3 and subsequent household Child Protective Services (CPS) involvement that were reported by mothers between child ages 3 to 5. Methods: The sample consisted of 2,422 families from the Fragile Families and Child Wellbeing Study, a birth cohort study that oversampled children born to unmarried families. A propensity score stratification analysis procedure examined pre- and post-treatment heterogeneity in the association between spanking and subsequent household CPS involvement. Children were stratified into three strata depending on their propensity for experiencing spanking. Subsequently, the association between spanking and household CPS involvement was examined for each stratum. Results: Disadvantaged socio-economic characteristics, negative psychosocial conditions of the mother, and dysregulated temperament of the child were associated with elevated risk of spanking. The odds of subsequent household CPS involvement increased by 2.4 times (beta = 0.869, p <.01) for children in the stratum with the lowest propensity for experiencing spanking. Conclusions: Results emphasize the importance of promoting alternative disciplinary strategies to families who would be considered low-risk before they may come into contact with the child welfare system.

본 연구는 소셜빅데이터를 활용하여 청소년비행 관련 원인 및 유형 요인에 대한 미래신호를 탐색하였다. 미래신호 분석은 출현 평균 단어 빈도, 평균 문서 빈도, 단어와 문서의 증가율을 활용하여 잠재신호, 약신호, 강신호, 강하지만 증가율에 낮은 신호를 파악하는 방법으로, 청소년 비행 문제에 관한 변화를 예측하는데 활용될 수 있다. 본 연구는 2018년 1월 1일∼2019년 6월 30일까지 총141개의 온라인 채널에서 청소년비행 키워드가 언급된 문서 1,144,616건을 수집하였다. 또한 청소년비행 온톨로지와 주제분석을 통해 총 36개 요인을 추출하였다. 미래신호 분석 결과, 학교관계긴장, 가족구조긴장 및 가출, 임신, 성매매, 흡연, 음주 등은 잠재신호로 분류되었다. 부모경제긴장 및 마약, 절도, 도박 요인이 약신호로 확인되었다. 학교학업긴장, 낮은 자기통제 등 기존 비행 이론과 관련된 요인이 강신호로 분류되었다. 마지막으로 모방, 신념 및 폭력은 강하지만 증가율이 낮은 신호로 분류되었다. 한편 본 연구에서는 약신호인 청소년 마약, 절도 문제가 최근 강신호로 이행하고 있음을 통해 미래신호 탐색 연구의 타당성 및 필요성을 확인하였다. 또한 연관규칙 분석 결과를 통해 청소년의 비행 문제에 있어 미디어에 관심을 두어야 할 필요성을 제시하였다. 본 연구의 결과는 향후 쟁점이 될 것으로 전망되는 청소년비행 요인들을 제시함으로써 관련 정책 동향 및 수요를 예측하고 선제적으로 대응하는 데 기여할 수 있을 것이다.

Accidents can be intent-based (unintended action-unintended outcome) or belief-based (intended action-unintended outcome). As compared to intent-based accidents, giving reasons is more crucial for belief-based accidents because the transgressor appears to have intentionally transgressed. In Study 1, UK-based preschoolers who were native English speakers ( N  = 96, 53 girls, collected 2020–2021) witnessed two intent-based or belief-based accidents; one transgressor apologized, the other apologized with a reason. Five-year-olds, but not 4-year-olds, favored the reason-giving transgressor following a belief-based accident but not an intent-based accident (where an apology sufficed). In Study 2, 5-year-olds ( N  = 48, 25 girls, collected 2021) distinguished between “good” and “bad” reasons for the harm caused. Thus, 5-year-old children recognize when reasons should accompany apologies and account for the quality of these reasons.

Background: Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) are risk factors affecting adolescent psychosocial adjustment. Youth involved in the juvenile justice system are more likely to have ACEs, but few studies have investigated this topic outside the western context. Objective: This study aims to (1) compare latent profiles of ACEs among probation and non -probation youth in South Korea and (2) examine which profiles pose the greatest risk of mal-adaptive psychosocial adjustment (offline risk-taking, online risk-taking, school adjustment, and happiness). Participants and setting: South Korean data adopting survey questions from the Fourth International Self-Report Delinquency Study was analyzed. Adolescents with complete information on regression covariates were included (non-probation: 1846/probation: 368). Methods: Latent profile analysis was utilized to identify distinctive patterns of ACEs. Multiple linear regression and logistic regression were performed to predict the maladjustment experiences of each latent subgroup. Results: Four ACE profiles emerged for probation and non-probation samples. Three profiles were common (i.e., emotional/physical abuse, emotional neglect, high maltreatment/domestic violence) and one profile was unique (high maltreatment with family dysfunction for the probation sample; moderate maltreatment for the non-probation sample). In the probation sample, compared to the emotional neglect group, the other three profiles showed poorer adjustment in at least one domain. In the non-probation sample, profiles with high emotional/physical abuse and high maltreatment/family dysfunction had poorer outcomes than the emotional neglect group. Conclusions: These findings indicate the need for a comprehensive approach toward adolescents and their family environments for preventing delinquency and promoting positive youth adjustment.

The current study examines bullying-related words in web documents by using social big data and machine learning techniques based on the ecological systems theory. A big data approach is ideal for the study of bullying, as the two terms correspond in their primary features. This study asks the following research questions: First, can social big data be classified into bullying perpetration and victimization documents? Second, which ecological system is the most important in predicting documents related to bullying perpetration and victimization? For this study, we collected documents related to bullying-related documents by using online channels in South Korea and classified main keywords and topics through text mining and opinion mining based on the ecological systems theoretical framework. Machine learning analyses were conducted to present a prediction model of perpetration and victimization documents based on ecological factors. Accordingly, the results indicate all areas of the ecological system are important for understanding the bullying phenomena; moreover, they provide insight into the key areas for bullying intervention.

Background: The current study developed a predictive model for suicide ideation among South Korean (Korean) adolescents using a comprehensive set of factors across demographic, physical and mental health, academic, social, and behavioral domains. The aim of this study was to address the pressing public health concerns of adolescent suicide in Korea and the methodological limitations of suicidal research.Methods: This study used machine learning methods (decision tree, logistic regression, naive Bayes classifier) to improve the accuracy of predicting suicidal ideation and related factors among a nationally representative sample of Korean middle school students (N = 6666).Results: Factors within all domains, including demographic characteristics, physical and mental health, and academic, social, and behavioral, were important in predicting suicidal thoughts among Korean adolescents, with mental health being the most important factor.Limitations: The predictive model of the current research does not infer causality, and there may have been some loss of information due to measurement issues.Conclusions: Study results provide insights for taking a multidimensional approach when identifying adolescents at risk of suicide, which may be used to further address their needs through intervention programs within the school setting. Considering the cultural stigma attached to disclosing suicidal ideation and behavior, the current study proposes the need for a preventive screening process based on the observation and assessment of adolescents' general characteristics and experiences in everyday life.

This cross-national research investigated nationally representative adolescents from South Korea and the United States, explored similarities and differences in latent profiles of bullying victimization between countries, and examined individual- and school-level variables that predict such latent profiles supported by the Social Disorganization Theory. The fourth-grade sample of the 2015 Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study from South Korea ( N = 4,669) and the United States ( N = 10,029) was used to conduct a latent profile analysis based on eight items of the bullying victimization questionnaire. Multilevel logistic regression was conducted using latent profiles as dependent variables. Independent variables include individual-level (material goods, school absence, academic interest, school belonging) and school-level (concentration of affluent families, school resources, the severity of delinquency, academic commitment) factors. More similarities existed than differences in the latent groups of bullying victimization between South Korea ( rare, low-moderate, verbal-relational-physical, and multi-risk) and the United States ( rare, low-moderate, verbal-relational, and multi-risk). Evidence for school-level variables as predictors of bullying victimization profiles was stronger for adolescents in the United States, with a concentration of affluent families and severity of delinquency being significant in four of the six models. For the South Korean sample, the severity of delinquency predicted bullying victimization in only one model. Examination of both individual- and school-level factors that predict unique bullying victimization experiences grounded in Social Disorganization Theory may be informative for addressing key areas of intervention—especially at the school-level context in which victimization primarily takes place and where anti-bullying intervention programs are often provided.

Background: Prior literature has demonstrated the associations of parental physical punishment with child behavior problems and increased risk of physical abuse. In South Korea, physical punishment is a common parenting practice. In 2021, legislative reforms eliminated legal grounds for parental physical punishment in South Korea. However, research on physical punishment, physical abuse, and child behavior problems in the Korean context is scarce. Objective: This study examined whether physical punishment and physical abuse have unique associations with child behavior problems and whether physical punishment is associated with increased exposure to physical abuse. Participants and setting: Data came from the 2010 Korean Child and Youth Panel Survey (KCYPS), a nationally representative sample of South Korean children who attended 1st grade in 2010. Our analyses were based on three waves of the KCYPS (N = 2,180). Methods: We employed fixed-effects regression to examine the associations of physical punishment and physical abuse with child behavior problems and the association of physical punishment with physical abuse after controlling for time-invariant characteristics. Results: Exposure to physical punishment and physical abuse was associated with higher levels of aggression, depression, and lower levels of academic behavior regulation. Physical punishment was associated with increased risk of physical abuse. Conclusions: Our findings suggest that physical punishment is a risk for child behavior problems and physical abuse in South Korea. Child maltreatment prevention efforts should focus on shifting favorable social norms around physical punishment and promoting non-physical disciplinary practices.

This study identified changes in Korean and heritage language proficiencies across five waves (2011-2015) and examined the association between linguistic acculturation trajectories and adjustment (2016) among Korean adolescents with immigrant family backgrounds (N = 1441; 51.21% female; Mage(baseline)  = 9.97). All adolescents were from multiethnic families with 91.65% comprising a non-Korean Asian mother (e.g., Japan, Philippines, China, Thailand) and Korean father. Parallel process latent class growth modeling and multivariate regression analysis were conducted to estimate the trajectories of linguistic acculturation and their effects on adolescents' future adjustment. Linguistic acculturation trajectories were classified into three latent groups. Bilingual adolescents demonstrated better adjustment over adolescents in other trajectories. Findings highlight the importance of considering patterns of change in linguistic acculturation for understanding Korean multicultural adolescents' adjustment.

본 연구의 목적은 국내 청소년이 경험한 부정적 생애경험(ACEs)의 유형을 분류하고, 유형 간 비교를 통해 폭력비행에 가담할 위험이 큰 청소년 집단을 확인하는 것이다. 선행연구들은 청소년이 과거에 경험한 역경 사건들이 폭력비행의 발생과 밀접한 관련이 있음을 확인하였으나, 현존하는 국내 ACEs 연구들은 모두 성인 응답자를 대상으로 하여 청소년의 역경 경험을 살펴본 연구는 부재한 상황이다. 이에 본 연구는 청소년과 가구원의 응답 자료를 활용해 국내 ACEs 연구를 확장하고 ACEs와 폭력비행의 관계를 살펴보고자 하였다. 본 연구에서는 분석을 위해 한국복지패널의 4차년도(2009년)와 이후 신규패널로 추가된 13차년도(2017년) 가구용 데이터, 가구원용 데이터, 아동부가조사를 결합하였으며, 총 797명(4차=514명, 13차=283명)의 응답이 연구에 사용되었다. 잠재계층분석 결과 청소년의 부정적 생애경험 유형은 고 학대 및 역기능적 가정환경(25.85%), 역기능적 가정환경(57.46%), 가족 해체(16.69%) 유형의 세 가지로 분류되었다. 고 학대 및 역기능적 가정환경 유형은 신체학대, 정서학대, 배우자 폭력과 가구원의 알코올 의존에 대한 응답이 높게 나타났다. 역기능적 가정환경 유형은 배우자 폭력과 가구원의 알코올 의존에 대한 응답비율이 높았다. 가족 해체 유형에 속한 청소년들은 부모 중 한 사람이라도 함께 생활하지 않는다고 응답한 비율이 높게 나타났다. 또한, 앞선 두 집단과 비교하여 물리적 폭력을 제외한 역경 사건들을 경험한 비율이 높음을 확인하였다. 로지스틱 회귀분석을 통해 유형 간 비행 가능성을 비교한 실시한 결과, 고 학대 및 역기능적 가정환경 유형에 속한 청소년들의 폭력비행 가능성이 역기능적 가정환경 유형에 비교해 유의하게 높았다(OR=2.031, p<.05). 이와 같은 연구 결과를 바탕으로 가해 청소년의 역경 경험을 고려한 맞춤형 개입 방안의 필요성과 후속 연구를 위한 방안을 제시하였다.

Identifying factors that predict higher levels of children's subjective well-being (SWB) is imperative for practice and policy implications. The current study explored latent subgroups of risks characterized by various dimensions of child well-being and investigated whether the latent risk groups were associated with children's SWB across 16 nations. The moderating role of subjective child rights as a protective factor in the relationship between latent risk profiles and children's SWB was also examined. Data of children aged 12 years from the second wave of the International Survey of Children's Well-Being (N=19,212) was analyzed. Latent profile analysis was used to identify risk profiles based on children's different risk experiences, and subsequently, multilevel regression analysis was used to identify whether group membership predicted SWB. Five latent profiles were identified: low, moderate, dual, material, and victimization risk groups. Findings revealed the concurrent nature of risks in children's lives, as they are often exposed to deficiencies across multiple domains, rather than just one. Multilevel regression analysis results signified that membership in any risk profile is linked with lower SWB of children when compared to the low risk group and highlighted the significant conditioning role of subjective child rights in the relationship between the risk profiles and SWB. Policymakers should be aware of the co-experience of multiple risk factors and devise policies that meet the needs of various groups of children at risk and advocate children as rights holders to further help children with co-occurring risks attain a higher level of SWB.

본 연구에서는 청소년들의 인터넷 사용 유형을 확인하고 이러한 유형이 사이버비행 가해 및 피해에 미치는 영향을 확인하고자 하였다. 연구를 위하여 International Self-Report Delinquency Study의 4차년도 자료(N=2,239)를 활용하여 잠재프로파일 분석과 로지스틱 회귀분석을 실시하였다. 그 결과, 첫째, 청소년들의 인터넷 사용 목적에 따라 ‘관계목적’, 복합목적(저)’, ‘복합목적(고)’ 3개의 집단이 분류되었다. 둘째, 잠재 집단이 사이버비행 가해 및 피해에 미치는 영향을 확인하기 위하여 로지스틱 회귀분석을 실시한 결과, 사이버성비행 피해 및 가해는 복합목적(저) 집단과 관계목적 집단보다 복합목적(고) 집단에 속할수록 많이 경험하는 것으로 나타났다. 반면에 사이버 일반비행 피해 및 가해에 있어서는 복합목적(저) 집단과 관계목적 집단만 차이를 보였으며 관계목적 집단에 속할수록 사이버 일반비행 가해 및 피해를 더 경험하는 것으로 나타났다. 본 연구 결과를 통하여 청소년의 다양한 인터넷 사용에 대하여 이해하고 비행 유형별 맞춤 개입이 필요하다는 논의를 도출하였다.