OBJECTIVES:
The
goal of this study was to investigate variables affecting
attitudes toward
suicide among the general
adult population in the city of Bucheon,
Korea.
METHODS:
Study participants included 1000 subjects over 18 years old
who visited public offices in Bucheon, Gyeonggi Province,
South Korea. Subjects completed a series of
questionnaires covering demographic characteristics, clinical characteristics, and prior
suicidal ideation and attempts. The
Attitudes Toward
Suicide-20 and the Center for
Epidemiologic Studies-
Depression Scales were used to assess
attitudes toward
suicide and the severity of
depression, respectively. Exploratory
factor analysis of the responses was performed.
RESULTS:
Analysis of responses on the
Attitudes Toward
Suicide-20 Scale revealed four important factors
permissiveness and unpredictability,
attitudes toward
suicide prevention, relationship between
suicide causes and processes, and lack of
comprehension of
suicide. We assessed relationships among clinical and demographic variables by assessing scores on the
Attitudes toward
Suicide scale. Demographic characteristics (
sex, age,
marital status,
education,
economic status, and
religion), clinical characteristics (physical and psychological
health), and prior
suicidal ideation and attempts affected
respondents attitudes toward
suicide.
CONCLUSION:
The variables identified as affecting
attitudes toward
suicide in this study were
similar to those reported in previous studies (i.e.,
sex, age,
religion,
education, physical, and psychological
health, prior
suicidal ideation and attempts). In support of previous
research results, we suggest that identifying groups that exhibit variables associated with
attitudes toward
suicide is an important step in
suicide prevention, as such
attitudes may influence subsequent
behavior. Educational campaigns aimed at
suicide prevention can be enhanced by focusing on
attitudes toward
suicide.