Yonsei University’s Kim Jaeyup and Hankyong National University’s Ryu Wonjung Professors, "Disease Prevention Possible Through Enhancing Family Relationships"

Positive Changes in Cortisol Hormone Responding to Physical Stress

[Photo by Professor Kim Jaeyup, Yonsei University (left), Professor Ryu Wonjung, Hankyong National University (right)]

A research paper has been published showing that the power of love within families can help prevent diseases.

Professor Kim Jaeyup of the Department of Social Welfare at Yonsei University and Professor Ryu Wonjung of the Department of Child and Family Welfare at Hankyong National University conducted a TSL program aimed at improving family relationships with 45 North Korean defector parents. As a result, positive changes were observed in the physical stress hormone cortisol, and follow-up observations after the program's completion confirmed that the improvements were sustained.

Cortisol is a hormone secreted by the neuroendocrine HPA axis (hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal axis) in response to stress. Excessive secretion can lead to physical problems such as weight gain, muscle pain and aches, osteoporosis, and hypertension, and it is also known to increase the likelihood of cancer.

Professor Ryu Wonjung of Hankyong National University stated, “North Korean defector parents face multiple challenges in adapting to a new society and parenting, which may result in insufficient coping with stress and vulnerability to domestic violence.” He added, “This study revealed that the power of love within families can positively influence human physical health.”

These research findings were published in ‘Research on Social Work Practice,’ a globally recognized journal in the field of social work clinical practice.