Psychosocial Correlates of Attempted Suicide and Attitudes Toward Suicide / 신경정신의학

OBJECTIVES: To examine psychosocial correlates of suicide attempts in a community population. METHODS: This study investigated suicide attempt history, demographic and psychosocial characteristics including depression using the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), and responses to a questionnaire about attitudes toward suicide in a community sample. The demographic and psychosocial correlates of suicide attempts were evaluated using univariate and multivariate analyses. RESULTS: A total of 1,578 people completed the survey. Of these, 100 people (6.3%) had attempted suicide. In the univariate analyses, risk factors for attempted suicide were divorce, lower level of education, lack of a stable job, living in a rented house, undergoing psychiatric treatment, a family history of psychiatric illness, and being depressed (BDI > or =22). In the multivariate analysis, living in a rented house, undergoing psychiatric treatment, and being depressed were significantly associated with attempted suicide. Of the individuals who had attempted suicide, 42.0% were currently depressed, whereas the prevalence of depression in those who had not attempted suicide was 9.1%. In addition, individuals who had attempted suicide had permissive attitudes toward suicide and negative attitudes toward treatment for suicidal behavior. CONCLUSION: Attempted suicide was significantly associated with depression. Therefore, immediate and appropriate psychiatric treatment for depression in those attempting suicide is crucial.

Psychosocial Correlates of Suicidal Ideation in Middle-School Students / 신경정신의학

OBJECTIVES: To examine the prevalence and psychosocial correlates of current suicidal ideation in middle-school students. METHODS: This school-based cross-sectional study enrolled 452 middle-school students in grade 7. Current suicidal ideation was defined as suicidal thoughts and a desire to be dead within two weeks. Sociodemographic variables, including environmental stressors, were collected to identify factors associated with current suicidal ideation. The students were asked to complete the Beck Depression Inventory, the Strength and Difficulties Questionnaire, the Korean Version of the Children of Alcoholics Screening Test, the Problem-Oriented Screening Instrument for Teenagers, and various scales measuring anger level and ability to control anger. RESULTS: Current suicidal ideation was reported by 31.3% of the students. In a multivariate logistic regression analysis, a previous suicide attempt, depression, parents with alcohol problems, family trouble, and anger level were independently associated with current suicidal ideation. The experiences of running away, domestic violence, being bullied, alcohol abuse, hyperactivity, and emotional problems were significantly more frequent in students with suicidal ideation, but they were not significantly associated with suicidal ideation in the multivariate analysis. CONCLUSION: This study suggests that a previous suicide attempt is a risk factor for current suicidal ideation. Appropriate management of depression and anger in middle-school students and interventions for family troubles and parental alcohol problems are needed to reduce suicidal ideation in middle-school students.

Standardization and Validation of Big Five Inventory-Korean Version(BFI-K) in Elders

OBJECTIVES: The Big Five Inventory(BFI) and the Big Five Inventory-10(BFI-10) are widely used instruments for the evaluation of personality in various cultures, while they have not been formally validated in Korea. This study aimed to develop the Korean versions of BFI(BFI-K) and BFI 10(BFI-K-10) with a Korean elderly population. METHODS: The study sample consisted of 1,038 community dwelling elders. BFI-K and BFI-K-10 were administered. For the reliability analyses, scores on Guttmans' split half and Cronbach's alpha were estimated. For the validity analyses, the Korean version of Geriatric Depression Scale(KGDS) and the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory(STAI) were investigated. RESULTS: The reliability of the BFI-K was good(Guttmans' split half=0.59-0.78, Cronbach's alpha=0.52-0.75). Scores on the BFI-K-10 were significantly correlated with the scores on BFI-K. Scores on the BFI-K and the BFI-K-10 were significantly correlated with the scores on KGDS and STAI. CONCLUSION: Both BFI-K and BFI-K-10 might be reliable and valid instruments to evaluate the personality in Korean community elders. BFI-K-10 is short and easy to be administered, and therefore it would be very convenient to use.

A Validation Study of the Korean Version of the Subjective Well-being Under Neuroleptic Treatment Scale-Short Form / 대한정신약물학회지

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to validate the Korean version of the Subjective Well-being under Neuroleptic Treatment Scale-Short Form (KvSWN-K), which has been widely used to assess the quality of life in patients with schizophrenia. METHODS: The subjects for the present study were 140 patients meeting the diagnostic criteria of DSM-IV for schizophrenia. The KvSWN-K with 20 items was administered with the EuroQoL-5D (EQ-5D) to evaluate concurrent validity. Sociodemographic and clinical characteristics were obtained, and the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS), Calgary Depression Scale for Schizophrenia (CDSS), Social and Occupational Functional Assessment Scale (SOFAS), Simpson-Angus Rating Scale, Barnes Akathisia Scale (BAS), Abnormal Involuntary Movement Scale, and Drug Attitude Inventory were administered to investigate their relationships with the KvSWN-K. RESULTS: The KvSWN-K showed good internal consistency and test-retest reliability. The scores on the subscale and total KvSWN-K showed relevant correlation with scores on the EQ-5D visual analog scale and most subscales of the EQ-5D. Employment status and scores on the SOFAS were significantly positively correlated with the score on the KvSWN-K, and scores on the CDSS, BAS, and subscales and total PANSS scores were significantly negatively correlated with the score on the KvSWN-K. Regression analysis revealed that the CDSS showed the most significant correlations with the KvSWN-K. CONCLUSION: Our findings demonstrated that the KvSWN-K is a reliable and valid assessment tool for evaluating the quality of life in patients with schizophrenia. Depression measured by the CDSS was the most important factor influencing subjective well-being in patients with schizophrenia.