J Korean Neuropsychiatr Assoc.  2015 Nov;54(4):468-474. 10.4306/jknpa.2015.54.4.468.

Risk Factors for Suicidal Ideation in the Elderly

• Kim H
• Lee A
• Lee SI
• Kim Y
• Jung HY
• Kim SG

• KMID: 2149328
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.4306/jknpa.2015.54.4.468

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.

Keyword

Suicide; Risk; Attitude; Aged

MeSH Terms

Aged*
Depression
Gyeonggi-do
Humans
Korea
Logistic Models
Risk Factors*
Suicidal Ideation*
Suicide

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