A Study on Factors Influencing Elders' Suicidal Ideation: Focused on Comparison of Gender Differences

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study is to describe the prevalence of suicidal ideation and to investigate related factors contributing to suicidal ideation in elderly people with focus on comparison of gender differences. METHODS: From the database of the Fourth Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES-IV), the researchers selected 3,164 old adults aged over 65. The original study was a population-based epidemiological survey of health and nutrition in a stratified multistage clustered probability design. Data were analyzed by using chi2-test and t-test and multiple logistic regression with the SPSS/WIN18.0program. RESULTS: Suicidal ideation in women (37.5%) occurred more frequently than men (17.5%). Depression, stress, restriction on activities and quality of life were significant variables of suicidal ideation in both the men and women aged 65 over. Low educational levels and economic states were significantly associated with suicidal ideation in men but not in women. CONCLUSION: The development of a suicide prevention program for elders requires different approaches to the genders respectively. It is also recommended that programs be developed that can help control the variables identified in this study along with a follow-up study for verifying the model.