A Preliminary Study of Knowledge, Attitudes, and Experience Regarding Suicidal Behavior among Mental Health Workers in Korea / 신경정신의학

OBJECTIVES: This study was conducted to investigate knowledge, attitude, and experience regarding suicidal behavior among mental health workers in Gangwon province of Korea to use as a basis for development of suicide prevention and education programs. METHODS: Questionnaires consisted of 31 questions including general knowledge regarding suicide statistics and suicide related legislation, attitude toward suicide, awareness of suicide, and individual experiences of suicidal behaviors. Chi-square and binary logistic regression analyses were used to determine differences and association among attitude toward suicide, individual experience of suicide, and sociodemographic characteristics. RESULTS: Taboo attitude toward suicide showed association with age and male. Males thought that social responsibility for suicide is necessary. Religiously non-affiliated group and people who had previous suicidal ideation and attempts showed a more permissive attitude toward suicide. CONCLUSION: The findings of this study suggest that demographic characteristics and previous individual experience of suicidal behaviors might influence attitude toward suicide. These personal characteristics should be considered in development of suicide prevention programs for mental health workers.

A Preliminary Study of Knowledge, Attitudes, and Experience Regarding Suicidal Behavior among Mental Health Workers in Korea / 신경정신의학

OBJECTIVES: This study was conducted to investigate knowledge, attitude, and experience regarding suicidal behavior among mental health workers in Gangwon province of Korea to use as a basis for development of suicide prevention and education programs. METHODS: Questionnaires consisted of 31 questions including general knowledge regarding suicide statistics and suicide related legislation, attitude toward suicide, awareness of suicide, and individual experiences of suicidal behaviors. Chi-square and binary logistic regression analyses were used to determine differences and association among attitude toward suicide, individual experience of suicide, and sociodemographic characteristics. RESULTS: Taboo attitude toward suicide showed association with age and male. Males thought that social responsibility for suicide is necessary. Religiously non-affiliated group and people who had previous suicidal ideation and attempts showed a more permissive attitude toward suicide. CONCLUSION: The findings of this study suggest that demographic characteristics and previous individual experience of suicidal behaviors might influence attitude toward suicide. These personal characteristics should be considered in development of suicide prevention programs for mental health workers.

Attitude toward Suicide and Personal Experiences of Suicide among Doctors and Health Care Workers in Korea / 신경정신의학

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to investigate attitudes toward suicide and personal experiences with suicide among doctors and health care workers in Korea. METHODS: A total of 622 participants were included in this study and 617 participants completed a self-report questionnaire that included 31 items; 184 doctors and 433 health care workers. A questionnaire was used for assessment of demographic characteristics, attitude toward suicide, and personal experiences with suicide in doctors and health care workers. The collected data were evaluated using chi-square and binary logistic regression analyses. A probability level of p<0.05 was considered statistically significant. RESULTS: More permissive attitudes toward suicide showed an association with doctor group and non-religious group (p<0.05). Religious group and older age showed an association with a more negative attitude (p<0.05). The lifetime and one-year prevalence rates of suicidal ideation were 31.4% and 9.8%, respectively, in all participants. The lifetime prevalence of suicidal ideation was higher in the religious group (33.9%, p<0.05). Among all participants, 32.1% reported loss of a patient by suicide, and 29.9% reported contact with a patient at risk of suicide or with depression. In addition, 72.5% reported contact with a depressed patient. CONCLUSION: Attitudes toward suicide among doctors and health care workers were shown to differ significantly between age, gender, doctor group and health care worker group, religious group and non-religious group. The reported level of suicidal ideation among doctors and health care workers is worthy of concern. Research is needed for establishment of effective prevention strategies on the basis of our findings.

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.