• Korean Journal of Psychosomatic Medicine
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• 제32권1호
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• pp.24-33
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• 2024

Objectives : The purpose of this study was to investigate individual- and community-level factors on suicidal ideation and suicide attempt among Korean adults. Methods : This study was conducted on 225,965 adults collected through data from the 2021 Community Health Survey and the Korean Statistical Information Service (KOSIS). The general characteristics, suicidal behavior (e.g., suicidal ideation, and suicide attempts), and community-level characteristics of the study subjects were analyzed using frequency (%) and mean (standard deviation). The effects on individual- and community-level factors on suicidal ideation and suicide attempts was analyzed using multilevel logistic regression models. Results : The community-level factor associated with suicidal ideation was unmet health care (Odds Ratio [OR]=1.053, 95% CI=1.035-1.071), and the community-level factor associated with suicide attempt was the aging rate (OR=1.015, 95% CI=1.001-1.030). Regarding health-related variables, the individual-level factors associated with suicidal ideation were stress status (OR=9.388, 95% CI=8.629-10.213), depressive experience in the past year (OR=6.737, 95% CI=6.454-7.032), and the predominantly individual-level factors associated with suicide attempt were also stress status (OR=5.213, 95% CI=3.699-7.347), and depressive experience in the last one year (OR=13.433, 95% CI: 11.247-16.044). Conclusions : We confirmed individual-level and community-level factors influencing suicidal ideation and suicide attempt. Through these findings, we need to establish suicide prevention policies, considering managing individual-level factors such as stress and depression as well as community-level factors such as unmet health care.

• Sleep Medicine and Psychophysiology
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• 제24권1호
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• pp.55-61
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• 2017

Objectives: Suicide is one of the leading causes of death among young adults. We investigated whether anxiety level and sleep quality were related to suicide ideation among university students. Methods: Questionnaires were distributed to 1094 students at a local college. The scale for suicide Ideation, the Hospital Anxiety-Depression scale, the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, and Morningness-eveningness questionnaires were used. Multiple linear regression analysis was conducted to examine the relationship between these variables and suicide ideation. Results: Among the 292 students who answered the suicide ideation questionnaire, 31 students had a high suicide ideation score and 261 patients had a low suicide ideation score. Demographic variables that showed significant differences between the two groups were gender, exercise, chronotype, sleep quality, depression and anxiety. The results of multiple linear regression analysis showed that suicidal ideation increased as the level of sleep quality decreased. There was no significant relationship between depression and suicidal ideation. Another multiple linear regression analysis was performed to evaluate the relationship between sleep quality sleep related factors. This suggested the quality of sleep decreased as weekend oversleep increased. Conclusion: The results of this study showed that when anxiety was higher and the quality of sleep was lower, the more suicide ideation increased. Therefore, improving sleep quality and reducing anxiety are important strategies for reducing suicidal ideation.

• Journal of the Korean Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry
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• 제32권1호
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• pp.17-27
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• 2021

Objectives: Deliberate self-poisoning (DSP) is the most common suicide method and can be life-threatening. The purpose of this study was to investigate the factors related to the lethality of DSP and the characteristics of the adolescent group. Methods: A retrospective study was conducted on patients who had visited an academic hospital's regional emergency medical center between 2015 and 2018. The data reviewed through their medical records included sociodemographic factors, clinical variables, and psychiatric treatment. Four groups (Q1-Q4) were categorized by descriptive analysis using the risk-rescue rating scale. Results: A total of 491 patients were enrolled in this study. This study showed that high lethality had statistically significant associations with male sex, older age, admitting suicidal intentions, and the use of herbicides for suicide. Logistic regression analyses showed a significant association between high-lethality and female [odds ratio (OR)=0.50, 95% confidence interval (CI)=0.30-0.81, p=0.01], non-psychiatric drugs (over-the-counter drug: OR=2.49, 95% CI=1.08-5.74, p=0.03; herbicide: OR=8.65, 95% CI=3.91-19.13, p<0.01), and denial of suicide intent (OR=0.28, 95% CI=0.15-0.55, p<0.01). Conclusion: This study showed the clinical factors associated with the high lethality of DSP and suggested that efforts were needed to care for and thoroughly examine patients with DSP.

• Journal of Hospice and Palliative Care
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• 제6권1호
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• pp.58-64
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• 2003

Cancer is a life crisis which inflicts major psychological and physical trauma upon the victim. Most of the cancer patients suffer from major depression, profound frustration, and impaired social adjustment. Therefore suicidal ideation and suicidal attempt are also becoming a serious threat to cancer patients and their families. Hospice is patient-centered, and accepts the inevitability of 'death' while simultaneously being life-affirming. Even though there is no chance of physical cure, there is much scope for psychosocial and spiritual healing. Most of cancer patients who commit suicide suffer hem many mental problems. Hospice specialists must play an important role in evaluating and managing emotional or behavioral problems associated with suicidal ideatior and are also are expected to serve as informed commentators regarding suicide. It is crucial that hospice specialists define their role and develop clinical skills to intervene in suicidal event effectively. A systematic approach to suicidal cancer patients is a essential, and there is need for specific training for all hospice professionals. In this case report, the author introduced knowledge and clinical guidelines for a desirable approach to suicidal cancer patient.

• Journal of the Korean Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry
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• 제30권1호
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• pp.26-33
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• 2019

Objectives: Suicide is the most frequent cause of death among Korean adolescents, and adolescents who have experienced trauma have an increased risk of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms, depression, and suicide attempts. However, resilience and self-esteem are protective factors. We examined the effects of resilience and self-esteem on the relationship among traumatic experiences, PTSD symptoms, depression, and suicidal ideation. Methods: Middle-school students (n=403) completed questionnaires assessing traumatic experiences, PTSD symptoms, depression, suicidal ideation, resilience, and self-esteem. Path analysis was performed to investigate the mediating effects of PTSD symptoms, resilience, self-esteem, and depression on the relationship between trauma exposure and suicidal ideation. Results: Traumatic experience was positively correlated with PTSD symptoms, depression, and suicidal ideation. PTSD symptoms and depression were positively correlated with suicidal ideation. The relationship between traumatic experiences and suicidal ideation was mediated by PTSD symptoms, which had both direct and indirect effects on suicidal ideation; the indirect effect was mediated by resilience, self-esteem, and depression. Conclusion: Korean adolescents who had experienced trauma were more likely to develop PTSD symptoms, increasing their risk of depression and suicidal ideation. However, self-esteem and resilience may help protect against depression and suicidal ideation. Our findings could inform suicide prevention initiatives.

• Journal of Korean Academy of Rural Health Nursing
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• 제16권1호
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• pp.18-28
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• 2021

Purpose: This study attempted to confirm whether the suicide prevention effect could be achieved by managing the frailty of the elderly in rural areas. Methods: This study is a single-group pre-post study design. The frailty management program was applied twice a week for 12 weeks for the vulnerable elderly in the rural area from 16th April to 31st May in 2020. The program consisted of physical exercise, health education on nutrition management and disease control, cognitive training, and protein drink provision. Results: The average age of the participants was 77.1 years, and they lived alone (88.6%). As a result of providing the program, there were positive results such as increase in body strength (pre 12.27: post 13.27) and weight (pre 58.51: post 59.13), and decrease in depression (pre 4.66: post 1.20), and there was no statistically significant change in quality of life, Time Up & Go, and BMI. Conclusion: Frailty should be managed to prevent suicide in the elderly. It is necessary to expand and apply various programs that combine physical functions and emotional interventions such as health education, and exercise to maintain muscle strength.

• Journal of the Korean Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry
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• 제34권1호
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• pp.21-29
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• 2023

This paper reviews the global effect of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic on the mental health of children and adolescents in South Korea, the U.S., Japan, and China. We reviewed research on deteriorated mental health, including increased suicide, suicidal thoughts, and self-harm. Various studies have shown that students' mental health issues, such as depression and anxiety, have worsened during the COVID-19 pandemic. Furthermore, the number of students who committed suicide has significantly increased in the U.S. and Japan. Factors such as prior mental health status, change in daily routine, reduced physical activity, excessive screen time, overuse of electronic devices, and reduced social support have been reported to have a significant effect. The chain of deteriorating mental health among the youth began at the onset of COVID-19, social distancing, and school closure. As youths began to stay at home instead of going to school, they lost opportunities to connect with their friends or teachers, who could provide support outside of their homes. Young people spent less time on physical activity and more time online, which damaged their sleeping schedule and daily routine. In preparing for the post-pandemic phase, we should thoroughly analyze the long-term effects of the pandemic on youth mental health, while simultaneously tackling current imminent issues.

• Journal of the Korean Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry
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• 제34권4호
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• pp.250-257
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• 2023

Objectives: Adolescents are at risk of suicide. As suicide is a multifactorial process, risk and protective factors are relevant constructs for suicide prediction. This study explored the effects of risk and protective factors on suicidal ideation in adolescents on the island of São Miguel (Azores). Methods: A sample of 750 adolescents (male: n=358; 47.7%; mean age=14.67 years; standard deviation=1.85 years) from the island of São Miguel (Azores) completed several measures related to suicidal ideation and associated factors. Using a cross-sectional design, this study conducted descriptive, correlational, predictive, mediation, and moderation analyses. Results: Adolescents generally displayed high levels of risk and protective factors; an indicative proportion exhibited significant suicidal ideation with females presenting the greatest vulnerability. Furthermore, the results highlight that depression is the best predictor of suicidal ideation, however, the association between these variables is mediated. Conclusion: The data corroborate that the suicidal reality of adolescents in the Autonomous Region of the Azores is worrisome. Having substantiated the complexity of the suicidal context in young people in the present research, the need to continue studying risk/protective factors in this area is supported.

• Korean Journal of Biological Psychiatry
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• 제6권1호
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• pp.81-88
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• 1999

Objectives : Significant progress has been made in understanding psychosocial, psychological, and environmental factors associated with suicide. However it is only recently that attention has been paid to the understanding of the neurobiology of suicide. The aim of this study was to examine the relationship between platelet serotonin level and suicidal behavior and psychological features of the suicidal attempters. Methods : After a suicidal attempt platelet serotonin level was measured from 21 patients and compared it with those from depression patients and normal controls. Also MMPI, HAM-D, Barratt impulsiveness scale(BIS) were done to evaluate their psychological features. Results : 1) There was no significant difference in sex ratio of the suicidal attempters. 2) There was no significant difference in platelet serotonin levels among three groups. 3) The analysis of MMPI revealed that the scores of D, Hs, Pt in clinical scales were significantly higher in suicide patients and scores of D, Pa, Si were in depression patients. 4) The HAM-D score was significantly higher in depression and suicide patients, especially in depression patients. 5) The analysis of Barratt impulsiveness scale revealed that the scores of nonplanning, motor and cognitive impulsiveness scale were significantly higher in suicide patients. Conclusions : There was no significant difference in platelet serotonin levels among three groups. However the analysis of psychological features revealed significant differences. Therefore we concluded that psychological examinations are benefit to evaluate the suicidal tendency.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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• 제21권8호
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• pp.315-324
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• 2020

The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between emotional traumatic experience, stress, depression, and anxiety and to identify factors influencing suicide ideation. Data collection was carried out using a questionnaire survey administered to students from four health colleges in B city and a total of 289 questionnaires. Collected data were analyzed by frequency and percentage, mean, standard deviation, t-test, ANOVA, and multiple regression analysis using the SPSS/WIN program. The results show that there were significant differences in emotional trauma according to the general characteristics of the study subjects (p=.005) and stress related to grades (p=.029). Depression showed significant differences for gender (p=.020), religion (p=.022), and anxiety related to gender (p=.047). Suicidal thinking was not significantly different from the general characteristics. The suicidal ideation of the subjects was significantly correlated with emotional trauma (p<.001), stress (p<.001), depression (p<.001) and anxiety (p<.001). Factors affecting the suicidal ideation of the subjects were emotional trauma (t=4.117, p<.001), stress (t=2.909, p=.004), depression (t=3.421, p=.001), and anxiety (t=2.875, p=.004), and the explanatory power was 34.1%. This study can be used as basic data for the development of a suicide prevention program by identifying correlations between emotional traumatic experience, stress, depression, and anxiety related to suicide ideation and identifying factors affecting suicide ideation. Based on these results, the development of programs to reduce the college student suicide rate is necessary.