Risk Factors for Suicidal Ideation in the Elderly.
10.4306/jknpa.2015.54.4.468
- Author:
Haejin KIM
1
;
Areum LEE
;
Soyoung Irene LEE
;
Yonggi KIM
;
Han Yong JUNG
;
Shin Gyeom KIM
Author Information
1. Department of Psychiatry, College of Medicine, Soonchunhyang University, Bucheon Hospital, Bucheon, Korea. irenelee@medimail.co.kr
- Publication Type:Original Article
- Keywords:
Suicide;
Risk;
Attitude;
Aged
- MeSH:
Aged*;
Depression;
Gyeonggi-do;
Humans;
Korea;
Logistic Models;
Risk Factors*;
Suicidal Ideation*;
Suicide
- From:Journal of Korean Neuropsychiatric Association
2015;54(4):468-474
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:Korean
-
Abstract:
OBJECTIVES: This study investigated the factors associated with suicidal ideation in the elderly. METHODS: A total of 136 subjects over 60 years old who visited the public offices in Bucheon-si, Gyeonggi Province in South Korea participated in the study. Subjects completed a series of questionnaires including the following : demographic information ; physical illness ; psychological illness ; suicidal ideation. In addition, Center for Epidemiologic Studies-Depression Scale and Attitudes Towards Suicide-20 were used to assess the severity of depression and the attitude towards suicide, respectively. RESULTS: Multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed to determine the factors that affect suicidal ideation in the elderly. As a result, living alone, depression, having any physical illness, and permissive attitude towards suicide were risk factors for suicidal ideation in the elderly. CONCLUSION: ConclusionZZIn addition to previously identified risks factors (living alone, physical illness, and depression), the study found that permissive attitude towards suicide also serves as a risk factor for suicide in elderly people. Therefore, permissive attitude towards suicide should be addressed and evaluated in order to prevent suicide in the elderly.