DOI QR코드

DOI QR Code

The Moderating Effect of Gender on the Relationship Between Self-neglect and Suicidal Ideation in Older Adults of Korea

  • Jeong, Kyuhyoung (Department of Social Welfare, Semyung University) ;
  • Jang, Daeyeon (Graduate School of Social Welfare, Yonsei University) ;
  • Nam, Boyoung (Department of Social Welfare, Yonsei University) ;
  • Kwon, Soyoung (Graduate School of Social Welfare, Yonsei University) ;
  • Seo, Eunsol (Graduate School of Public Health, Seoul National University)
  • Received : 2022.02.17
  • Accepted : 2022.07.13
  • Published : 2022.09.30

Abstract

Objectives: Previous studies have reported that self-neglect, which may be a sign of elder abuse, can result in suicide among older adults. The signs of self-neglect and its impact on the risk of suicide may differ by gender. Thus, this study explored the association between self-neglect and suicide risk in older Korean adults and examined the potential moderating effect of gender on this relationship. Methods: Data were collected from 356 Korean adults aged 65 or older through an online survey. Multiple regression analysis was used to test the research hypothesis. First, the associations between 4 sub-dimensions of self-neglect (i.e., daily life management issues, personal hygiene issues, financial management issues, and relational issues) and suicidal ideation were examined. Then, the moderating effect of gender on these relationships was investigated by including interaction terms. Results: Self-neglect was significantly associated with suicidal ideation in older adults. Aspects of self-neglect related to daily life management and relational factors were key predictors of suicidal ideation. Gender significantly moderated the effect of the relational dimension of self-neglect on suicidal ideation. The relational dimension of self-neglect was more strongly associated with suicidal ideation in older women than in older men. Conclusions: The findings suggest the importance of screening older adults with signs of self-neglect for suicide risk. Special attention should be paid to older women who experience relational issues as a high-risk group for suicidal ideation. Public programs and support systems should be established to improve daily life management and promote social relationships among older adults.

Keywords

References

  1. Ministry of Health and Welfare; Korea Foundation for Suicide Prevention. 2021 White paper on suicide prevention [cited 2022 Jan 27]. Available from: https://www.bokjiro.go.kr/ssisteu/cms/pc/news/promotion/__icsFiles/afieldfile/2021/08/30/162547124180998.pdf (Korean).
  2. Statistics Korea. Statistics on causes of death in 2019; 2020 [cited 2022 Jan 27]. Available from: https://kostat.go.kr/portal/korea/kor_nw/1/6/2/index.board?bmode=read&bSeq=&aSeq=385219&pageNo=1&rowNum=10&navCount=10&currPg=&searchInfo=&sTarget=title&sTxt= (Korean).
  3. Van Orden K, Conwell Y. Suicides in late life. Curr Psychiatry Rep 2011;13(3):234-241. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11920-011-0193-3
  4. Park MJ, Kim J. Development and validation study of self-neglect scale for older adults: focusing on community-living elderly adults. Korean J Gerontol Soc Welf 2015;69(69):99-121 (Korean). https://doi.org/10.21194/kjgsw..69.201509.99
  5. Dyer CB, Franzini L, Watson M, Sanchez L, Prati L, Mitchell S, et al. Future research: a prospective longitudinal study of elder self-neglect. J Am Geriatr Soc 2008;56 Suppl 2:S261-S265. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1532-5415.2008.01978.x
  6. Orem DE. A concept of self-care for the rehabilitation client. Rehabil Nurs 1985;10(3):33-36. https://doi.org/10.1002/j.2048-7940.1985.tb00428.x
  7. Kown JD, Kim Y, Lim TY. The meaning and pathways of suicidal experiences among older adults: a grounded theory method. Korean J Gerontol Soc Welf 2011;52:419-446 (Korean).
  8. Wakabayashi C, Donato KM. Does caregiving increase poverty among women in later life? Evidence from the Health and Retirement survey. J Health Soc Behav 2006;47(3):258-274. https://doi.org/10.1177/002214650604700305
  9. Abrams RC, Lachs M, McAvay G, Keohane DJ, Bruce ML. Predictors of self-neglect in community-dwelling elders. Am J Psychiatry 2002;159(10):1724-1730. https://doi.org/10.1176/appi.ajp.159.10.1724
  10. Dong X, Simon MA, Wilson RS, Mendes de Leon CF, Rajan KB, Evans DA. Decline in cognitive function and risk of elder selfneglect: finding from the Chicago Health Aging Project. J Am Geriatr Soc 2010;58(12):2292-2299. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1532-5415.2010.03156.x
  11. Ministry of Health and Welfare. Elder abuse status report 2020; 2021 [cited 2022 Jan 27]. Available from: http://www.mohw.go.kr/react/gm/sgm0701vw.jsp?PAR_MENU_ID=13&MENU_ID=1304081001&CONT_SEQ=366538 (Korean).
  12. Seok JE. New elderly culture and the potential of reciprocal relationship resource on elderly-friendly community design integrated with generations in super-aged society. Seoul: Meerae Forum; 2016, p. 89-114 (Korean)
  13. Kim MY, Lee JJ. Risk factors for self neglect of elderly males in the community. Korean J Gerontol Soc Welf 2016;71(3):29-51 (Korean). https://doi.org/10.21194/kjgsw.71.3.201609.29
  14. Qin P, Agerbo E, Westergard-Nielsen N, Eriksson T, Mortensen PB. Gender differences in risk factors for suicide in Denmark. Br J Psychiatry 2000;177:546-550. https://doi.org/10.1192/bjp.177.6.546
  15. Payne S, Swami V, Stanistreet DL. The social construction of gender and its influence on suicide: a review of the literature. J Mens Health 2008;5(1):23-35. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jomh.2007.11.002
  16. Kim HS. A study on epistemology of Korean elder's suicidal thought. J Korean Gerontol Soc 2002;22(1):159-172 (Korean).
  17. Harlow LL, Newcomb MD, Bentler PM. Depression, self-derogation, substance use, and suicide ideation: lack of purpose in life as a mediational factor. J Clin Psychol 1986;42(1):5-21. https://doi.org/10.1002/1097-4679(198601)42:1<5::AID-JCLP2270420102>3.0.CO;2-9
  18. Moon DK. A meta-regression analysis on related triggering variables on the suicidal ideation of older adults. Korean J Geronto Soc Welf 2012;55:133-157 (Korean). https://doi.org/10.21194/kjgsw..55.201203.133
  19. Dong X, Xu Y, Ding D. Elder self-neglect and suicidal ideation in an US Chinese aging population: findings from the PINE study. J Gerontol A Biol Sci Med Sci 2017;72(Suppl_1):S76-S81. https://doi.org/10.1093/gerona/glw229
  20. Lee MS. Does the social activity of the elderly mediate the relationship between social isolation and suicidal ideation? Ment Health Soc Work 2012;40(3):231-259 (Korean).
  21. Kim MH, Moon JW. The impact of family and social relationships on depression and suicidal ideation of the elderly. Korea Acad Care Manag 2013;10:1-26 (Korean).
  22. Lee I. Moderating effects of life problems, social support on the relationship between depression and suicidal ideation of older people. Health Soc Welf Rev 2011;31(4):34-62 (Korean). https://doi.org/10.15709/hswr.2011.31.4.34
  23. Kim KT, Choi SS, Park MJ, Park S, Ko SH, Park H. The effect of family structures and psycho-social factors on suicidal ideation of senior citizens. Korean J Gerontol Soc Welf 2011;52:205-228 (Korean).
  24. Kim HS, June KJ, Kim YM. Gender differences in factors affecting suicidal ideation among the Korean elderly. J Korea Gerontol Soc 2013;33(2):349-363 (Korean).
  25. Abrams RC, Lachs M, McAvay G, Keohane DJ, Bruce ML. Predictors of self-neglect in community-dwelling elders. Am J Psychiatry 2002;159(10):1724-1730. https://doi.org/10.1176/appi.ajp.159.10.1724
  26. Hwang JW, Lee KU, Kim JY, Lee DH, Kim DM. The affection of depression of the elderly living together and the elderly living alone on suicidal ideation and the moderating effects of personal relation. Ment Health Soc Work 2017;45(1):36-62 (Korean). https://doi.org/10.24301/MHSW.2017.03.45.1.36
  27. Lee MJ, Kim MH. Problems and improvement plan of customized care service for the elderly. Daejeon: Daejeon Public Agency for Social Service; 2020 (Korean).