The maladjustment mechanisms in the relationship between ambiguous loss and depression among North Korean defector women.

North Korean defectors represent a minority group within South Korean society, yet their psychological difficulties have received limited attention compared to other adjustment issues. Many North Korean defectors experience loss and trauma stemming from family separation, often described as "physical ambiguous loss" (i.e., physical absence with psychological presence). This study investigates the impact of ambiguous loss on depression among North Korean defector women, focusing on maladaptive psychological mechanisms. A total of 100 North Korean defector women who experienced family separation completed measures of ambiguous loss, avoidance, rumination, tolerance of ambiguity, and depression. Moderated indirect effect analysis revealed that ambiguous loss contributed to higher depression through the indirect effects of avoidance and intrusive rumination. Tolerance of ambiguity significantly moderated the pathway from ambiguous loss to depression. The findings suggest that avoidance and intrusive rumination act as risk factors linking ambiguous loss to depression, with lower tolerance of ambiguity exacerbating these mechanisms. Building on and extending prior work on ambiguous loss among North Korean defectors, this study advances understanding by explaining how ambiguous loss relates to depressive symptoms and identifying potential psychological pathways for prevention and support. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2026 APA, all rights reserved).