Suicide ideation and suicide attempts of undergraduate students in South Korea: Based on the interpersonal psychological theory of suicide

Abstract

This study attempted to explain suicide ideation and suicide attempts among undergraduate students in South Korea based on the Interpersonal Psychological Theory of Suicide. Data were collected through an online questionnaire survey of 402 university students (178 men, 224 women, average age 21.19 years old [SD = 2.06]) in South Korea. As a result of a hierarchical multiple regression analysis, while adjusting sex, socioeconomic level, and depression, thwarted belongingness and perceived burdensomeness significantly explained the suicide ideation. However, the effect of the interaction of thwarted belongingness and perceived burdensomeness on suicide ideation was not significant. Suicide ideation and acquired capability for suicide significantly predicted the frequency of suicide attempts, and the interaction between suicide ideation and acquired capability for suicide had a significant effect on suicide attempt frequency. These findings suggest that the feeling of being worthless to society and burdensome to others is a major risk factor affecting the suicide rates of undergraduate students in South Korea. It also suggests that in order to assess suicide risk and to prevent and intervene in suicide, the acquired capability for suicide, which is the ability to commit lethal suicide, along with suicide ideation should be considered.