J Korean Neuropsychiatr Assoc JKNA Journal of Korean Neuropsychiatric Association 1015-4817 2289-0963 Korean Neuropsychiatric Association 10.4306/jknpa.2018.57.3.252 Original Article A Study on Variables Influencing Acceptability and Perception Towards Suicide among the Elderly in the City of Bucheon Lee Doeun MD Lee Soyoung Irene MD PhD Lee Jeewon MD PhD Kim Shin-Gyeom MD PhD Jung Han-yong MD PhD Department of Psychiatry, Bucheon Hospital, College of Medicine, Soonchunhyang University, Bucheon, Korea. Address for correspondence: Soyoung Irene Lee, MD, PhD. Department of Psychiatry, Bucheon Hospital, College of Medicine, Soonchunhyang University, 170 Jomaru-ro, Wonmi-gu, Bucheon 14584, Korea. Tel +82-32-621-5241, Fax +82-32-621-5018, irenelee@schmc.ac.kr 08 2018 29 08 2018 57 3 252 260 29 05 2018 24 07 2018 26 07 2018 Copyright © 2018 Korean Neuropsychiatric Association 2018 Korean Neuropsychiatric Association Objectives

The aim of this study was to investigate the variables influencing acceptability and perception towards suicide among the elderly in Bucheon city, South Korea.

 Methods

A total of 1099 elderly over 65 years old participated in this study. The subjects completed a self-questionnaire including their demographic characteristics, psychiatric characteristics, factor 1 and 4 of the Attitudes Towards Suicide-20, and Geriatric Depression Scale Short Form Korea Version. One-way analysis of variance was performed to identify the variables associated with the acceptability and perception towards suicide.

 Results

As result of this study, the demographic characteristics (older age, lower education level, lower economic state, bereavement, divorce or separated marital status, and life without spouse) and psychiatric characteristics (psychiatric past history, treatment history, and suicidal attempt history) were found to be associated with a more acceptable attitude toward suicide. In addition, a lower education level, no psychiatric history, and no psychiatric treatment history influenced the lack of perception to suicide.

 Conclusion

For public services to prevent suicide of the elderly population who lack spontaneity and accessibility to suicidal evaluations, it would be important to focus on the variables identified in this study for enhancing the effectiveness of the services.

 Suicide Acceptability Aged

The authors have no financial conflicts of interest.

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* : Standard deviation. w : With, w/o : Without

 Psychiatric characteristics of the subjects (n=1099)

GDSSF-K : Geriatric Depression Scale Short Form Korean Version

 Factor 1 and 4 of Attitudes Towards Suicide according to demographic variables

F and p-value were calculated by one-way ANOVA (assuming equal variance). Posthoc comparison was conducted by Bonferroni test when using one-way ANOVA. * : p<0.05, ** : p<0.01, *** : p<0.001. ANOVA : One-way analysis of variance, Factor 1 : Permissiveness and unpredictability, Factor 4 : Lack of comprehension of suicide, SD : Standard deviation, w : With, w/o : Without

 Factor 1 and 4 of Attitudes Towards Suicide according to psychiatric variables

F and p-value were calculated by one-way ANOVA (assuming equal variance). Posthoc comparison was conducted by Bonferroni test when using one-way ANOVA. * : p<0.05, ** : p<0.01, *** : p<0.001. ANOVA : One-way analysis of variance, Factor 1 : Permissiveness and unpredictability, Factor 4 : Lack of comprehension of suicide, GDSSF-K : Geriatric Depression Scale Short Form Korean Version, SD : Standard deviation