Suicidal Ideation and Attempt among North Korean Refugee Women in South Korea: Factors that Distinguish Suicide Attempt from Suicidal Ideation

Abstract

Background North Korean Refugee Women (NKRW) are at a high risk for suicide. However, few studies have examined risk factors for suicide among NKRW in South Korea. This study aimed to examine factors increasing risk for suicidal ideation and to identify factors differentiating suicide attempt from ideation among NKRW in South Korea. Methods A sample of 140 NKRW was analyzed; multinomial logistic regression was conducted to identify factors distinguishing respondents with (1) no suicidal ideation, (2) isolated suicidal ideation (without attempts), and (3) ideation with attempts. Results About 46% of the sample reported suicidal ideation, and about 18% attempted suicide during the past year. NKRW without any suicidal risk had significantly lower levels of social isolation (OR = 0.86, p = 0.02) and less exposure to traumatic events (OR = 0.89, p = 0.02) than those with suicidal ideation. NKRW who attempted suicide were more likely to have higher levels of stress than those with only suicidal ideation (OR = 1.40, p = 0.03). Conclusion This study provides insights into suicide prevention among refugees and emphasized that post‐migration life stress significantly differentiates suicidal ideation from attempt among NKRW. Intervening to address current life stress, traumatic experiences, and social isolation may help prevent refugee suicidal ideation and further attempt.

The effect of common mental disorders on suicidal attempts by women, during pregnancy and six to nine years after birth

“…The study by Nam et al ( 2021) 34 showed one of the highest levels of SA prevalence (18%) among a sample of North Korean refugees in South Korea. In a manner adverse to the current study, the consumption of alcohol was not statistically significant for SA.…”

Suicidality Among Syrian Refugee Children in Jordan

“…Of the available studies, the incidence of suicidality among refugees appears to vary greatly, estimated at 3.4 to 34% according to a 2010 review (Vijayakumar & Jotheeswaran, 2010 ) and even as high as 91% in a study of Afghan refugee women (Rahman & Hafeez, 2003 ). Since that review in 2010, suicidality rates continue to vary greatly between studies (Nam et al, 2021 ; Norredam et al, 2013 ; NPR, 2017 ; Rahman & Hafeez, 2003 ; Tekeli-Yesil et al, 2018 ; UNHCR, 2021 ). Most research has focused on small groups of specific refugee communities within specific host countries (Nam et al, 2021 ; Norredam et al, 2013 ; NPR, 2017 ; Rahman & Hafeez, 2003 ; Tekeli-Yesil et al, 2018 ; UNHCR, 2021 ; Vijayakumar & Jotheeswaran, 2010 ).…”

“…Since that review in 2010, suicidality rates continue to vary greatly between studies (Nam et al, 2021 ; Norredam et al, 2013 ; NPR, 2017 ; Rahman & Hafeez, 2003 ; Tekeli-Yesil et al, 2018 ; UNHCR, 2021 ). Most research has focused on small groups of specific refugee communities within specific host countries (Nam et al, 2021 ; Norredam et al, 2013 ; NPR, 2017 ; Rahman & Hafeez, 2003 ; Tekeli-Yesil et al, 2018 ; UNHCR, 2021 ; Vijayakumar & Jotheeswaran, 2010 ). In Denmark, a large population-based study reported suicide rates being lower among male refugees than males in the general population, but there was no difference among women (Norredam et al, 2013 ).…”

“…In Denmark, a large population-based study reported suicide rates being lower among male refugees than males in the general population, but there was no difference among women (Norredam et al, 2013 ). Recently, a study of North Korean refugee women living in South Korea found that a very high percentage (46%) reported suicidal ideation (Nam et al, 2021 ). Such incongruence highlights how nuanced the topic of suicidality is and demonstrates the need for studies of individual refugee communities to better understand the prevalence of suicidality within each of them in order to create interventions that will have a positive impact.…”

Differences in Guilt, Shame, Self-Anger, and Suicide Cognitions Based on Recent Suicide Ideation and Lifetime Suicide Attempt History

“…From the perspective of the FVT, differences between SI and suicidal action can be most usefully understood by explicitly considering temporality. Unfortunately, the preponderance of studies informed by IAF theories utilize cross-sectional designs that compare participants based on lifetime history of SI or SAs (examples include Nam et al, 2021; Ordóñez-Carrasco et al, 2021; Stoliker and Abderhalden, 2021; Wetherall et al, 2018; Wiebenga et al, 2021; Yang et al, 2019). This restricts conclusions about how historical factors and current context can synergistically impact suicide risk.…”