Print Media Coverage of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder: Content Analysis of Three Major Korean Newspapers

Abstract

The print media is still one of major sources for health-related information. To shed light on how the media accurately delivers information for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), we searched the newspaper articles and analyzed their contents for accuracy in the description of symptoms, causes, and treatment of PTSD. The articles featuring PSTD were searched from the very first available to 2010 at on-line search systems of three major Korean newspapers. A total of 123 articles appeared and the first article appeared in 1984. The number of articles steadily increased till the early 2000s but we found the robust increase in the late 2000s. Among the mentioned symptoms of PTSD: re-experience (39%) was most common, followed by avoidance or numbing (28%) and hyperarousal (22%). Of the 29 articles mentioning treatment of PTSD, 13 mentioned psychotherapy only and 11 mentioned both psychotherapy and medication equally. However, the psychotherapies mentioned were non-specific and only five articles mentioned any empirically supported therapies. The number of articles on PTSD in Korean newspapers has continually increased during the last three decades. However, the quality of information on the treatment of PTSD was questionable.

The Legislative Response to PTSD in the United States (1989–2009): A Content Analysis

“…Research that explores representations of PTSD in the popular press would also be valuable to inform traumatic stress policy‐advocacy initiatives. A content analysis of stories about PTSD in major Korean newspapers, for example, found broad discrepancies in the accuracy of information that was presented (Jeong, Kim, Oh, & Park, ).…”

Chronic pain: Sources framing of post-traumatic stress in The New York Times

“…A previous analysis of coverage of PTS in Korean newspapers found that only a quarter or the articles mentioned treatment. 'This is a substantial problem when the media is considered to be a source for health information and education for the public' (Jeong et al, 2013(Jeong et al, : 1080. This applies in our study as well.…”

“…Previous studies of media representation of PTS have found that, much like coverage of other health concerns, news reports usually focus on specific events, not the broader issue of PTS, and that focus, researchers say, shapes public understanding of trauma, treatment, and recovery. One study of news stories in Korean newspapers found the majority of articles analyzed focused on specific events; there was little information about causes of PTSD beyond that, leading researchers to conclude that articles blamed survivors for subsequent problems in coping with trauma (Jeong et al, 2013). A separate study of The New York Times , which analyzed articles from 1950 through 2012, also found a focus on events.…”

“…The media can influence not only individual consumer decisions, but government and public policies as well (De Souza, 2007;Jones and Wolfe, 2007). According to Jeong et al (2013Jeong et al ( : 1080, the news media 'influences … the health behaviors of the public by giving information that can change understanding, attitude, or help seeking intentions'.…”

Psychometric Properties of the Korean Version of Stanford Acute Stress Reaction Questionnaire

“…Recently, as media increasingly draw attention to various issues regarding mental health problems and their contributions to social issues such as suicide, domestic abuse, and violent crime ( 18 ), the public perceptions of psychological/psychiatric disorders and their treatments are now changing. While depression and schizophrenia are amongst the most publicly well-known psychiatric disorders, it was not until recently that PTSD has been subjected to any kind of public discussion in Korea.…”