Journal List > J Korean Neuropsychiatr Assoc > v.54(4) > 1017762

Kim, Lee, Lee, Kim, Jung, and Kim: Risk Factors for Suicidal Ideation in the Elderly

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.

Figures and Tables

Table 1

Demographic characteristics of the subjects

jkna-54-468-i001

* : p<0.05, : p<0.01, : p<0.001. SD : Standard deviation

Table 2

Comparison of CES-D scores between suicidal ideation group and non-suicidal ideation group

jkna-54-468-i002

* : p&0.001. SD : Standard deviation, CES-D : Center for Epidemiologic Studies-Depression Scale

Table 3

Comparison of scores of ATTS-20 between suicidal ideation group and non-suicidal ideation group

jkna-54-468-i003

* : p<0.001. SD : Standard deviation, ATTS-20 : Attitudes Towards Suicide-20

Table 4

Logistic regression analysis assessing independent predictor of suicidal ideation in the elderly

jkna-54-468-i004

B : Regression coefficient, SE : Standard error, OR : Odds ratio, CI : Confidence interval

Notes

Conflicts of Interest The authors have no financial conflicts of interest.

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