The Relationship between the Prevalence of Suicidal Ideation among Older Adults and Individual · Regional Factors

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to find out the suicidal ideation rate of the elderly including individual and regional factors by sex. Methods: This is secondary analysis study that combines the data of the 2017 Community Health Survey with the e-indicator data set of the National Statistical Office, and a descriptive correlation study. Statistical analysis used hierarchical logistic regression by SAS 9.4. Results: The 11.5% of the elderly had suicidal ideation within the last year, and 18.4% in Chungnam is the highest. Individual characteristics include females, older people, lower education levels, no job or housewife, no spouse, less than seven hours of sleep per day on the average, low subjective health, high subjective stress, and the worse their economic conditions, the more they had suicide ideation. Considering regional characteristics, suicidal ideation tended to increase significantly as the number of hospital beds per 1,000 people and the rate of obesity was lower, the rate of stress perception was higher, and the odds value was small. When both individual and regional factors were considered, the model conformity of the suicidal ideation improved (ICC=0.0814). Conclusion: In order to lower the suicidal rate of the elderly, it seems that both individual and community factors need to be comprehensively approached from the stage of suicidal ideation in the community.

Factors Related to Suicidal Ideation and Prediction of High-Risk Groups among Youngest-Old Adults in South Korea

“…Suicide is directly related to suicide attempts, which occur in the reciprocal process of various risk factors, including socioeconomic, biological, and psychological factors [ 8 ]; those who have contemplated suicide are at higher risk for suicide attempts compared to those who have not [ 9 ]. Suicidal ideation is the most salient short-term warning sign preceding suicidal attempts [ 10 , 11 ].…”

Identifying the suicidal ideation risk group among older adults in rural areas: Developing a predictive model using machine learning methods

“…Furthermore, the rate of suicidal ideation is expected to increase further, particularly considering the increase and rapid ageing of the older adult population in rural areas. In contrast to urban areas, the rate of suicide or suicidal ideation in older adults is higher in rural areas (Chin et al, 2020 It is well known that suicide occurs after suicidal ideation and plans. However, there is limited knowledge underscoring the association between suicidal ideation and suicide in older adults (Van Orden et al, 2010).…”

“…Therefore, early detection of suicide risk groups and intervention is crucial in the prevention of suicide in older adults, especially individuals in rural settings (Berry et al, 2020;Chin et al, 2020).…”

“…Studies have suggested that suicidal ideation among old adults is significantly associated with several factors. They are (1) socio‐demographic factors such as gender and region (Chin et al, 2020), age (i.e. under the age of 74 years), higher education and lower economic status, living alone (Kang et al, 2014; Ko et al, 2021), social disconnectedness (Kang et al, 2014) and loneliness (McClelland et al, 2020); (2) physical factors, including physical illness, pain, the activity of daily living (Kang et al, 2014; Kim, 2016; Ko et al, 2021), poor perceived health status (Choi et al, 2015) and sleep disturbance (Chin et al, 2020) and (3) psychological factors such as depression (Ge et al, 2017; Kang et al, 2014), perceived burdensomeness (Cukrowicz et al, 2011; Shim et al, 2021) and meaning of life (Heisel et al, 2016; Lutzman & Sommerfeld, 2021).…”

“…Consequently, there has been increased emphasis for communication regarding suicidal ideation in risk assessment in primary care (Silverman & Berman, 2014). Furthermore, older adults living in rural areas are more likely to neglect their care needs, thereby increasing their susceptibility to suicide due to social isolation and reduced access to mental health services (Chin et al, 2020; Reccord et al, 2021). Therefore, early detection of suicide risk groups and intervention is crucial in the prevention of suicide in older adults, especially individuals in rural settings (Berry et al, 2020; Chin et al, 2020).…”