The Effects of Injury on Depression and Mental Health of South Korean Adults

Abstract

Background/Objectives: This study aimed to determine the effects of injury experience on depression and mental health of adults. Methods/Statistical analysis: This study used the raw data from Korea Health Statistics 2014: Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES VI-2). The respondents aged <20 years and those giving no response were excluded from this study. The subjects were screened in two phases. Congruity in individual ID, household ID, research district, gender, age, household income, education level, and occupation was examined in the process of screening and 4,755 persons were finally selected. Of the 4,755 persons, only 358 were reviewed for injury and depression diagnosis status. An SPSS Version 18.0 WIN program was used to analyze the data. Findings: The more household income (approx. 1.5 times; p<.01) and the higher education level (approx. 1.5 times; p<.01), the higher level of one-year experience of injury. As for occupation, technical service affected one-year experience of injury (p<.01). As for injury type, laceration/stab/amputation affected depression diagnosis status. As for injury intention, an accident was more likely to affect depression diagnosis status than intentional self-injury and violence. As for injury intention, intentional self-injury and violence (1.84 points) more adversely affected mental health than accidents (1.39) (p<.05). Improvements: Injury experience affected depression diagnosis status and mental health. In solving this problem, it is necessary to reinforce both mental health education programs and treatment and management programs.