The Effects of Depression, Anxiety, and Parents’ Support on Suicide Ideation and Attempts by Gender among Korean Adolescents

Abstract

The purpose of the study was to compare factors influencing gender-related adolescent suicide ideation and attempts, focusing on depression and anxiety levels, and parental support. Data from the 2013 Korea Children and Youth Mental Health Promotion Study collected by the National Youth Policy Institute were analyzed using logistic regression. The study sample included 6316 middle and high school students. Among both male and female adolescents, the more severe the depression and anxiety of a given group (mild, moderate, severe), the higher the proportion of suicide ideation and attempts in the group with low parental support. For male adolescents, significant predictors of suicide ideation were all levels of depression, mild anxiety, and parental emotional support, whereas a significant predictor of suicide attempts was severe anxiety. For female adolescents, significant predictors of suicide ideation were all levels of depression and anxiety, as well as parental emotional and informational support. Significant predictors of suicide attempts were severe depression, moderate and severe anxiety, and parental emotional and economic support. The results can be used to improve suicide screening for high-risk adolescents. The development of mental health and parental support as part of adolescent suicide prevention programs requires different approaches for each gender.