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Cheon-il Park

Yonsei University · Psychology

About the Lab

Professor Cheon-il Park's research lab focuses on the intersection of psychiatric and behavioral health with biological and psychological mechanisms, particularly examining the roles of circadian rhythms, neurochemical systems (e.g., oxytocin), and cellular aging markers in mental health disorders such as depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), and anxiety. The lab investigates epigenetic, neurocognitive, and inflammatory biomarkers using population-based and clinical cohort studies, with a strong emphasis on translational research in the Korean population. Key areas include the impact of lifestyle factors—such as diet and sleep—on mental health outcomes and the development of early detection and intervention strategies for psychiatric conditions.

mental healthepigeneticscircadian rhythmbiomarkersdepression

Research Overview

Papers
58
Total Citations
535
Papers (5y)
31
Primary Field
Psychology

Research Output Trend

Figures are computed from collected data and may differ slightly.

Publications per year (5y)
31total
2021
2022
2023
2024
2025
Citations per year (5y)
212total
20212022202320242025

Selected Papers

15
1
Article|73 citations·2015
Relationships between chronotypes and affective temperaments in healthy young adults
Chun Il Park, Suk Kyoon An, Hae Won Kim, Min Jung Koh, Kee Namkoong, Jee In Kang, Se Joo Kim
SJR Q1Journal of Affective DisordersOA
Endocrine and Autonomic SystemsNeuroscience
2
Article|54 citations·2019
Influence of dopamine-related genes on craving, impulsivity, and aggressiveness in Korean males with alcohol use disorder
Chun Il Park, Hae Won Kim, Syung Shick Hwang, Jee In Kang, Se Joo Kim
SJR Q1European Archives of Psychiatry and Clinical NeuroscienceOA
EpidemiologyMedicine
3
Article|52 citations·2014
Circadian preference and trait impulsivity, sensation-seeking and response inhibition in healthy young adults
Jee In Kang, Chun Il Park, Sung-yun Sohn, Hae Won Kim, Kee Namkoong, Se Joo Kim
SJR Q2Chronobiology InternationalOA

Circadian preference has been considered related with impulsivity. The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the relationship between circadian typology and impulsivity measured by the Barratt Impulsivity Scale (BIS), sensation-seeking measured by the Sensation Seeking Scale - Form V (SSS-V) and response inhibition elicited by the GO/NO-GO paradigm. A total of 503 Korean healthy college students (288 males and 215 females) completed the Composite Scale of Morningness (CSM) for circadian t

Endocrine and Autonomic SystemsNeuroscience
4
Article|37 citations·2020
Reduced DNA methylation of the oxytocin receptor gene is associated with obsessive-compulsive disorder
Chun Il Park, Hae Won Kim, Sumoa Jeon, Jee In Kang, Se Joo Kim
SJR Q1Clinical EpigeneticsOA

BACKGROUND: Oxytocin is an important neuromodulator involved in cognition and socio-emotional processing that exerts its central activities via oxytocin receptors. Epigenetic alterations in the oxytocin receptor gene (OXTR) may be a molecular mechanism in the pathogenesis of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). This study investigated the association between OXTR DNA methylation and the OCD status of a Korean population. RESULTS: Quantitative leukocyte DNA methylation levels of three cytosine-ph

Social PsychologyPsychology
5
Article|35 citations·2020
Fusiform gyrus volume reduction associated with impaired facial expressed emotion recognition and emotional intensity recognition in patients with schizophrenia spectrum psychosis
Sra Jung, Jihye Kim, Na-Ok Kang, Gihye Sung, Young-gun Ko, Minji Bang, Chun Il Park, Sang‐Hyuk Lee
SJR Q1Psychiatry Research Neuroimaging
Psychiatry and Mental healthMedicine
6
Article|26 citations·2024
Rheumatoid Arthritis and Risk of Depression in South Korea
Keun Hye Jeon, Kyungdo Han, Jinhyoung Jung, Chun Il Park, Yeonghee Eun, Dong Wook Shin, Hyungjin Kim
SJR Q1JAMA Network OpenOA

Importance: Depression is among the most common comorbidities in rheumatoid arthritis (RA). There is a lack of data regarding the association of RA seropositivity and biologic agents with depression risk among individuals with RA. Objective: To investigate the risk of depression following RA diagnosis among patients in South Korea. Design, Setting, and Participants: This retrospective cohort study included 38 487 patients with RA and a comparison group of 192 435 individuals matched 1:5 for age,

RheumatologyMedicine
7
Article|21 citations·2021
Alterations of cellular aging markers in obsessive–compulsive disorder: mitochondrial DNA copy number and telomere length
Jee In Kang, Chun Il Park, Jue Lin, Shin Tae Kim, Hae Won Kim, Se Joo Kim
SJR Q1Journal of Psychiatry and NeuroscienceOA

BACKGROUND: The present study examined whether mitochondrial DNA copy number (mtDNAcn) and telomere length - key markers of cellular aging - were altered in male and female participants with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) compared to healthy controls. We also tested for associations between these alterations and OCD-related clinical features and inflammatory index. METHODS: A total of 235 patients with OCD (38.7% female) and 234 healthy controls (41.5% female) were included. We quantified w

PhysiologyMedicine
8
Article|20 citations·2020
Uncinate fasciculus white matter connectivity related to impaired social perception and cross-sectional and longitudinal symptoms in patients with schizophrenia spectrum psychosis
Sra Jung, Ji Hye Kim, Gihye Sung, Young-gun Ko, Minji Bang, Chun Il Park, Sang‐Hyuk Lee
SJR Q2Neuroscience Letters
Radiology, Nuclear Medicine and ImagingMedicine
9
Article|15 citations·2022
Dysfunctional coronavirus anxiety in nonpsychotic psychiatric outpatients during the COVID‐19 pandemic: A network analysis
Shin Tae Kim, Jun Ho Seo, Sangmin Lee, Sumoa Jeon, Chun Il Park, Se Joo Kim, Jee In Kang
SJR Q1Depression and AnxietyOA

These findings suggest that health worry may be an important bridge symptom that connects coronavirus anxiety and other clinical psychopathology. Patients with elevated health worries should be carefully monitored during the COVID-19 pandemic for exacerbation of previous symptoms and COVID-19-related psychopathology. Understanding the psychological factors in the face of the pandemic and their relationships with clinical psychiatric symptoms would help people prevent and overcome mental health p

Experimental and Cognitive PsychologyPsychology
10
Article|15 citations·2023
Relationship between Mediterranean diet and depression in South Korea: the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey
Yeong-Geon Hwang, Chongwon Pae, Sang‐Hyuk Lee, Ki-Hwan Yook, Chun Il Park
SJR Q1Frontiers in NutritionOA

Background: Several studies have shown that adherence to the Mediterranean diet is associated with a lower risk of depression; however, little is known about the Asian population. This study investigated the relationship between adherence to the Mediterranean diet and depression in a sample of the South Korean population. Methods: In total, 5,849 adults from the 2014 and 2016 Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys were included in the study. The Mediterranean diet adherence was

Public Health, Environmental and Occupational HealthMedicine
11
Article|15 citations·2021
Dysfunctional Metacognitive Beliefs in Patients With Obsessive–Compulsive Disorder and Pattern of Their Changes Following a 3-Month Treatment
Shin Tae Kim, Chun Il Park, Hae Won Kim, Sumoa Jeon, Jee In Kang, Se Joo Kim
SJR Q1Frontiers in PsychiatryOA

Introduction: Metacognitions are considered to be crucial factors for the development and maintenance of pathologic anxiety. The present case–control study aimed to examine how metacognitive beliefs are associated with the diagnostic status and subtypes of obsessive–compulsive disorder (OCD). In addition, we examined the pattern of changes in metacognitive beliefs after a 3-month pharmacological treatment in patients with OCD. Methods: A total of 562 cases with OCD and 236 healthy controls were

Clinical PsychologyPsychology
12
Article|10 citations·2020
Metacognitive beliefs predict early response to pharmacological treatment in patients with obsessive–compulsive disorder
Chun Il Park, Hae Won Kim, Sumoa Jeon, Eunhee Hwang, Jee In Kang, Se Joo Kim
SJR Q1PsychopharmacologyOA
Clinical PsychologyPsychology
13
Article|10 citations·2021
White matter correlates of impulsivity in frontal lobe and their associations with treatment response in first-episode schizophrenia
Hye-Yeon Jung, Sra Jung, Minji Bang, Tai Kiu Choi, Chun Il Park, Sang‐Hyuk Lee
SJR Q2Neuroscience LettersOA

BACKGROUND: It is known that increased impulsivity in schizophrenia patients causes poor treatment outcomes by increasing cost, stigma, hospitalization, treatment challenge, and physical harm. Dysfunction in the prefrontal cortex appears to be involved in the impulsivity associated with schizophrenia; nonetheless, there is a dearth of research on specific white matter alterations in the prefrontal cortex related to impulsivity. METHODS: We enrolled in the present study 119 first-episode schizoph

Radiology, Nuclear Medicine and ImagingMedicine
14
Article|9 citations·2023
Psychological factors associated with COVID-19 related anxiety and depression in young adults during the COVID-19 pandemic
Ye Eun Lee, Jun Ho Seo, Shin Tae Kim, Sumoa Jeon, Chun Il Park, Se Joo Kim, Jee In Kang
SJR Q1PLoS ONEOA

BACKGROUND: The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic and the corresponding lockdown have drastically changed our lives and led to high psychological distress and mental health problems. This study examined whether psychological factors such as loneliness, perfectionism, and health anxiety are associated with COVID-19 related anxiety and depression during the pandemic in young Korean adults, after controlling for various socio-demographic factors and early life stress. METHODS: A total of

Clinical PsychologyPsychology
15
Article|8 citations·2019
Association of opioid receptor gene polymorphisms with drinking severity and impulsivity related to alcohol use disorder in a Korean population
Chun Il Park, Syung Shick Hwang, Hae Won Kim, Jee In Kang, Sang‐Hak Lee, Se Joo Kim
SJR Q1CNS Neuroscience & TherapeuticsOA

AIMS: Recent evidence suggests that the opioid system is implicated in the pathophysiology of alcohol use disorder (AUD). We aimed to examine the genetic influence of opioid receptors on susceptibility to AUD and its clinical and psychological characteristics including harmful drinking behavior and various aspects of impulsivity in AUD patients. METHODS: Three μ-opioid receptor gene (OPRM1) variants and two κ-opioid receptor gene (OPRK1) variants were examined in 314 male patients with AUD and 3

Cellular and Molecular NeuroscienceNeuroscience

Research Areas

Clinical PsychologyExperimental and Cognitive PsychologyRadiology, Nuclear Medicine and ImagingPsychiatry and Mental healthMolecular BiologyEndocrine and Autonomic Systems

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