Korea journal of population studies (한국인구학)

The Population Association of Korea (한국인구학회)
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Social Integration and Suicide: The Effects of Holidays on a Decrease in Suicide

사회적 통합과 자살: 연휴가 자살자수 감소에 미치는 영향

  • 한승용 (한양대학교 인구 및 고령사회연구소)
  • Published : 2008.04.25
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Abstract

The main purpose of this study is to examine the suicide pattern during major holidays which are considered to be in high social integration - New Year's Day, Lunar New Year's Day, Harvest Festival (Chuseok) and Christmas. To confirm suicide patterns, this study hypothesized firstly, the number of suicides would decrease before and on each holiday, and secondly, the number of suicides would increase after each holiday. In detail, this study postulated different patterns by marital status and age groups. Utilizing "Causes of Death Statistics" from 2000 to 2005, the number of suicides by marital status and age group on each day is calculated and categorized by holiday. There are four major findings. First, the decrease in the number of suicides during holiday periods is significant. Second, different suicide patterns by marital status are not found. Third, the difference in suicide patterns by age groups is significant. Specifically, there is a decrease in the number of suicides of the old during Lunar New Year's Day and Harvest Festival (Chuseok). On the other hand, there is no changes in the number of suicides of the young during the same periods. Fourth, a decrease in the number of suicides regardless of marital status and age is found at the end of a year. These results mean that increased social integration is functioned as a "suicide immune system." However, each generation has its own main factor that increases social integration.

이 연구의 주된 목적은 사회적 통합이 평소에 비해 강해질 것으로 생각되는 특정 연휴기간에 자살자수의 양상이 어떻게 변화하는가를 파악하는 것이다. 이 연구는 2000-2005년 사망원인 통계 자료를 활용하여 한국의 대표적인 연휴인 신정, 구정, 추석, 성탄절 등을 연구의 대상이 되는 연휴로 설정하고 일별 자살자수의 변화를 분석하였다. 이론적 배경과 기존 연구결과를 토대로 연휴 이전 3일과 연휴 당일에는 자살자수의 감소가, 연휴 이후 3일에는 자살자수의 증가가 나타날 것이라는 기본가설을 설정하였다. 세부적으로는 혼인상태별, 연령별 자살양상의 차이를 가정하였다. 분석결과 첫째, 연휴기간의 자살자수 감소는 유의미한 것으로 확인되었다. 둘째, 혼인상태에 따른 자살양상의 차이는 발견되지 않는다. 셋째, 고령자 집단에서 연휴기간 자살자수 감소양상이 명확히 나타난다. 단, 성탄절에는 젊은 연령대의 자살자수 감소가, 높은 연령대의 자살자수 증가가 나타난다. 넷째, 성탄절 이후의 자살자수 감소는 혼인상태 및 연령과 관계없이 나타난다. 이러한 결과는 증대된 사회적 통합이 자살을 방지하지만, 사회적 통합을 증대시키는 요인이 세대에 따라 확연히 다르다는 것을 보여준다.

Keywords

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