Associations of Social Participation and Trust with Suicidal Ideation and Attempt in Communities with High Mortality

Ha, Mi Oak; Kim, Jang Rak; Jeong, Baekgeun; Kang, Yune Sik; Park, Ki Soo

Abstract

OBJECTIVES
This study was performed to identify the associations of social capital with suicidal thoughts and attempts in Korean communities with poor health.
METHODS
We used the data from community health interviews conducted at 40 administrative sections (dong, eup, or myeon) with high mortality from August to October in 2010, 2011, and 2012 as part of the Health Plus Happiness Plus Projects in Gyeongsangnam-do Province. The 8,800 study subjects composed of 220 adults systematically sampled from each administrative section were asked if they had thought about suicide or had attempted suicide within 1 year. The social participation was measured with 'participation in formal and/or informal group' and trust using responses to three questions about trust of others.
RESULTS
The prevalence of suicidal ideation and attempt within 1 year were 10.4% and 0.8%, respectively. The logistic regression analysis revealed that those who participated in only informal groups, or had highest trust level reported less suicidal ideation, or attempt after adjusting for socio-demographic factors (sex, age, marital status, occupation, and food affordability), self-rated health, and health behaviors (smoking, alcohol drinking, and exercise).
CONCLUSIONS
This study suggested social capital such as social participation and trust was associated with less suicide ideation and attempt. More studies are warranted for the association of social capital with suicidal behavior.