Factors on the Pathway from Trauma to Suicidal Ideation in Adolescents

OBJECTIVES: Suicide is the most frequent cause of death among Korean adolescents, and adolescents who have experienced trauma have an increased risk of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms, depression, and suicide attempts. However, resilience and self-esteem are protective factors. We examined the effects of resilience and self-esteem on the relationship among traumatic experiences, PTSD symptoms, depression, and suicidal ideation. METHODS: Middle-school students (n=403) completed questionnaires assessing traumatic experiences, PTSD symptoms, depression, suicidal ideation, resilience, and self-esteem. Path analysis was performed to investigate the mediating effects of PTSD symptoms, resilience, self-esteem, and depression on the relationship between trauma exposure and suicidal ideation. RESULTS: Traumatic experience was positively correlated with PTSD symptoms, depression, and suicidal ideation. PTSD symptoms and depression were positively correlated with suicidal ideation. The relationship between traumatic experiences and suicidal ideation was mediated by PTSD symptoms, which had both direct and indirect effects on suicidal ideation; the indirect effect was mediated by resilience, self-esteem, and depression. CONCLUSION: Korean adolescents who had experienced trauma were more likely to develop PTSD symptoms, increasing their risk of depression and suicidal ideation. However, self-esteem and resilience may help protect against depression and suicidal ideation. Our findings could inform suicide prevention initiatives.

Antenatal Depressive Symptoms and Associated Risk Factors among Pregnant Women / 신경정신의학

OBJECTIVES@#Maternal depression has a detrimental effect on baby growth. Recent reports suggest that depressive symptoms are more likely to occur during pregnancy than in the postpartum period. In Korea, there are relatively few studies of depression during pregnancy compared to those related to postpartum depression. The purpose of this study is to identify factors associated with antenatal depression.@*METHODS@#The study included 143 pregnant women who had completed the Korean version of the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (K-EPDS), the Korea-Marital Satisfaction Inventory's global distress scale, the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale, and the Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale-2. Based on the K-EPDS scores, we divided the participants into two groups. Logistic regression was performed to identify factors associated with antenatal depression.@*RESULTS@#Thirty (21%) of the subjects were evaluated as being depressed, pregnant women. Pregnant women with high self-esteem and marital satisfaction were less likely to have depression. Similarly, those who are younger and those with an abortion history were more likely to have depression. Past psychiatric history and family history were not significantly different between the two groups.@*CONCLUSION@#Dissatisfaction with marriage, low self-esteem, younger age, and abortion history were closely related to the presence of antenatal depression. The results of this study can be used as baseline data for the development of family-based education programs and early antenatal depression policies.