Socioeconomic Factors Associated with Suicidal Behaviors in South Korea: A Systematic Review On The Current State of Evidence

Abstract

Background The economic and human costs of suicide to individuals, families, communities, and society make suicide a major public health problem around the world. Suicide rates in South Korea are among the highest in the world. This paper is the first systematic review investigating socioeconomic risk factors for suicidal behaviors (suicidal ideation, attempted suicides, and completed suicides) in South Korea. Methods We performed a systematic review in Medline and Web of Science. Empirical studies and peer-reviewed articles on the association between individual socioeconomic factors and suicidal behaviors have been included. A total of 53 studies were included in a descriptive synthesis. Results Overall, 35 studies focused on the association between individual socioeconomic factors and suicidal ideation, 16 were related to suicide attempts, while 10 addressed completed suicides. Low income, unemployment, and financial difficulties were identified as risk factors for all suicidal behaviors. Working in precarious conditions, long working hours, self-employment, changes in employment status, shift work/night-time work, and occupational stress were associated with an increased risk for suicidal ideation. Low educational attainment appears to increase the risk for suicide attempts and completed suicide, but the significance of educational attainment on the reporting of suicidal ideation could not be verified. The primary studies were unable to ascertain whether the place of residence impacts on suicidal behaviors. Conclusions The results highlight the relevance of socioeconomic factors for suicidal behaviors in South Korea. Governmental social spending must be increased and redirected more efficiently so that the economically most vulnerable groups are financially protected and income inequality does not widen. Furthermore, comprehensive prevention strategies at the community level are needed. Future research needs to focus on identifying vulnerable groups for whom the effects of low socioeconomic status may have particularly serious consequences with regard to suicidal behaviors.

Machine learning prediction of suicidal ideation, planning, and attempt among Korean adults: A population-based study

“…Our findings confirm the evidence that depressive symptoms and negative self-perception are salient risk factors for suicide ( Bhar et al, 2008 ; Ducasse et al, 2018 ; Fredriksen et al, 2017 ; Raschke et al, 2022 ). Additionally uncovered in this study was that the ML algorithms could attain a satisfactory classification performance with a number of key mental traits of respondents.…”

“…A survey of more than 18000 Korean adults indicated that about 3.8% seriously considered suicide at some point in any given year and 0.5% planned or attempted suicide ( Pak & Choung, 2020 ). The high suicide rate in Korea is often termed a “suicide epidemic,” highlighting a large fraction of the population at risk for suicide ( Raschke et al, 2022 ). Previous studies have indicated that suicide completers rarely seek psychiatric treatment before they commit suicide, although they often visit primary care providers to address physical symptoms associated with poor mental health ( Zalsman et al, 2016 ).…”

“…Emerging evidence also pointed to subjective assessment of life conditions as possible mechanisms through which other risk markers may operate ( Heisel & Flett, 2004 ; Suh et al, 2021 ). In the Korean context, various dimensions of economic insecurity were associated with suicidal ideation and behaviors ( Kim & You, 2019 ; Raschke et al, 2022 ; Yoon et al, 2017 ). Researchers have found that no single factor is sufficient to explain suicide, but several interacting factors jointly contribute to suicide risk ( Kuroki & Tilley, 2012 ).…”