Abstract
OBJECTIVESThis study aimed to identify the individual and regional characteristics that influence suicidal ideation among the Korean elderly population.METHODSUsing data collected from the 2013 Korea Community Health Survey, a multilevel analysis was performed to establish an understanding of individual behavioral patterns and regional influences on suicidal ideation.RESULTSAmong the 77,407 individuals sampled, 11,236 (14.5%) elderly people over 60 years of age experienced suicidal ideation. Among individual factors, age, frequency of communication with friends, religious activity, social activity, leisure activity, trust in neighbors, subjective stress level, depressive symptoms, and subjective health status were significantly associated with suicidal ideation. The results showed that the lower the regional deprivation level, the higher the suicidal ideation odds ratio. In terms of regional size, the most significant effects were found in rural areas.CONCLUSIONSThis study suggested that suicidal ideation in the elderly is associated with community factors, such as the regional deprivation index, as well as personal factors.
Highlights
IntroductionIt has been argued that elderly persons in modern society may exhibit extreme and negative behaviors such as suicide if they fail to adequately deal with complex problems, such as extended life expectancy, loss of social status due to the development of nuclear families, weakening of interpersonal relationships, economic instability, feelings of loneliness and helplessness, and lack of com-
The Korean Elderly Welfare Act stipulates that individuals aged 65 or older are elderly persons, the National Pension Act stipulates that individuals are eligible for an old-age pension at age 60, and individuals can use elderly-related welfare facilities at age 60
This study’s results found that only the frequency of communication with friends had a significant influence on the likelihood of experiencing suicidal ideation, suggesting that communication with friends played a greater role in emotional support than did communication with relatives/ family [18]
Summary
It has been argued that elderly persons in modern society may exhibit extreme and negative behaviors such as suicide if they fail to adequately deal with complex problems, such as extended life expectancy, loss of social status due to the development of nuclear families, weakening of interpersonal relationships, economic instability, feelings of loneliness and helplessness, and lack of com-. Low education levels, absence of social activity, high levels of depressive symptoms, poor subjective health status, high stress levels [3,4,5], and low social support [6] among individuals living alone have been reported as causes of suicidal ideation. Previous studies [3,5] have often identified the causes of suicide by focusing on mental-health problems among elderly persons living alone and have presented the causal characteristics of suicidal ideation among elderly persons in terms of individual and social aspects. Individual and regional factors influencing suicidal ideation can be identified through
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
