• Journal of The Korean Society of Integrative Medicine
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• v.11 no.1
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• pp.141-148
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• 2023

Purpose : This study examined the relationship between suicidal thoughts, hand grip strength, socioeconomic status, educational level, and disease occurrence. Methods : Korean national health and nutrition examination survey 2017 were used in this study. 5,449 were analysed. For comparison between groups, cross-tabulation analysis and mean comparison were performed. Logistic regression analysis were performed to analyze the influencing factors between grip strength and suicidal ideation. Results : Our results are consistent with the literature on the importance of socioeconomic status in health. The lower the level of education, the higher the suicidal thoughts. Being single or divorced was also significantly associated with suicidal ideation. Moreover, a lower income level was significantly associated with a higher suicide intention. Furthermore, older ages, lower educational levels, and lower income were significantly associated with a higher odds ratio of suicidal thoughts. Interestingly, suicidal thoughts were significantly lower among non-smokers. In contrast, suicide intention did not differ significantly according to gender, age, monthly drinking habit, aerobic physical activity, and disease occurrence. Suicidal thoughts decreased as grip strength increased and this was statistically significant. Socioeconomic status, disease occurrence, and handgrip strength level affected the security of an individual's livelihood and were significant risk factors for suicidal thoughts. These associations remained significant in multiple logistic regression even after controlling for all covariates. Conclusion : Future prevention intervention efforts to reduce suicide risks should consider handgrip strength. Studies to explore the possible proximal risk factors and mediators between handgrip strength and suicidal thoughts are also warranted.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Integrative Medicine
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• v.8 no.4
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• pp.67-77
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• 2020

Purpose : Recently, Korea has entered an aging society due to the steadily increasing proportion of the elderly population. Additionally, elderly suicidal rate in Korea is the highest among OECD member countries. Because old age is a time when all functions are weakened physically, mentally, and socially, negative experiences, including depression and poor quality of life in the elderly, may lead to suicidal intentions. This study attempts to understand the relationship between depression and quality of life experienced by the elderly and their suicidal intentions. Methods : The survey was conducted from January 2 to March 31, 2019 by administering a questionnaire targeting people aged ≥ 65 years, who were registered at public health centers located in U-city, Gyeonggi-do. In total, 1,015 copies of data were used for the final analysis. The collected data were analyzed using the SPSS/WIN 23.0 program. The χ2 test was performed to investigate the relationship between the demographic characteristics and the suicidal intentions of the elderly subjects. The t-test was performed to determine the relationship between suicidal intentions, depression, and quality of life in elderly subjects. Results : The study results revealed that 168 people (16.6 %) had thought of suicide and 3.2 % had actually tried to commit suicide. The reasons for suicidal thoughts were family problems in 60 (5.6 %), economic problems in 49 (4.6 %), and physical illness in 44 (4.1 %). Those with suicidal intentions had higher levels of depression (t=11.712, p<.001) and higher quality of life scores (t=-9.565, p<.001). Conclusion : Based on these results, it is proposed that a suicide prevention policy and program that can improve the elderly's depression and quality of life is necessary.

• Korean Journal of Psychosomatic Medicine
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• v.29 no.2
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• pp.199-206
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• 2021

Objectives : This study aimed to compare the characteristics of suicide attempts among Korean patients with mixed and non-mixed depression. Methods : Patients who visited the emergency room due to a suicide attempt and participated in the Korean Cohort for the Model Predicting a Suicide and Suicide-related Behavior study were included. Using the Montgomery-Asberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS) and Young Mania Rating Scale (YMRS), 111 patients were classified into the mixed depression (n=46) and non-mixed depression groups (n=65). The Koukopoulos Mixed Depression Rating Scale (KMDRS) score was calculated using the MADRS and YMRS scores. Suicide attempt characteristics were evaluated using the Columbia Suicidal Severity Rating Scale (C-SSRS) and Suicide Intent Scale (SIS). Results : In the mixed depression group, the reason item among the ideation intensity score of the C-SSRS was higher, and the deterrent item score was lower. Scores on the timing and suicide note items of the SIS were higher, and scores for overt communication items were lower in the mixed depression group. The KMDRS score was positively correlated with the C-SSRS ideation intensity and total SIS score. After adjusting for additional variables, the KMDRS scores had a significant effect on the C-SSRS ideation intensity and total SIS scores. Conclusions : The mixed depression group showed a difference in the intensity of suicidal ideation and suicidal intention compared to those in the non-mixed depression group. The overall suicidal ideation intensity and suicidal intention increased according to the degree of mixed depression.

• Korean Journal of Health Education and Promotion
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• v.31 no.3
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• pp.73-81
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• 2014

Objectives: This study examined how adolescents' cognitive stress relates to suicidal thought, thereby offering basic data about social and institutional ways to reduce adolescent suicide. Methods: In this study, data from an online survey on adolescents' health conducted by Korea Center for Disease Control(2013, 9th) was used after altering it to fit the purpose of the study. The data was analysed using the complex sampling method and structural equation model(SEM). Results: Whilst adolescents' cognitive stress had positive effects on suicidal thought, problem drinking and cognitive depression, it had a negative effect on physical activity. The structural equation model from cognitive stress, problem drinking, cognitive depression, physical activity influenced suicidal thought. Problem drinking on the other hand had an influence on cognitive depression. Conclusion: These findings suggest that future intervention programs for prevention of adolescents' suicidal thought should also address problem drinking, cognitive depression, and cognitive stress.

• The Journal of the Korea Contents Association
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• v.17 no.11
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• pp.29-38
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• 2017

The purpose of this study is to find out factors affecting intentions to seek help for suicidal ideation in Korean Army and to provide a basis for approaches to facilitate formal or informal help seeking for suicidal ideation. A total of 471 Korean soldiers participated in the current study. First, the question of whether suicidal ideation have a significant influence on general help seeking, and whether public stigma and self stigma mediate the relationship between suicidal ideation and general help seeking were examined. According to the results, public stigma and self stigma partially mediated the relationship between suicidal ideation and general help seeking, indicating that suicidal ideation not only has an indirect effect on general help seeking through public stigma and self stigma, but also has a direct influence on general help seeking.

• Journal of the Korea Convergence Society
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• v.13 no.4
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• pp.469-475
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• 2022

This study examined factors affecting the intention to formal and in formal help in adults with recent suicidal thoughts. 215 adults who were recruited through online community participated in the self-report online survey. The results showed that social support had a significant effect on the formal help seeking. Social support, suicide stigma, and self-Concealment had a significant effect on the informal help seeking. In conclusion, social support had a major influence on the intention of asking for help. These results highlight the need for interventions to increase social support and reduce self-concealment in order to increase the request for help for suicide in the high-risk group.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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• v.22 no.3
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• pp.208-214
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• 2021

It is necessary to consider the suicide problem of the senior citizens according to their occupation rather than simply dividing seniors according to whether they live in rural or urban areas to seek countermeasures against suicide. This study examines factors that influence the suicidal intentions of senior citizens engaged in the agriculture, forestry, and fishing industries using the ranking probit model. As a result, the suicidal intention of senior citizens working in the agriculture, forestry, and fishery industries who felt lonely increased by 3.0%, but the intention to commit suicide decreased by 1.1%, when they value their work, and the intent to commit suicide decreased by 2.7% when they feel a strong sense of belonging to their region. The more family members or relatives they meet every day, the suicide intentions of senior citizens in the agricultural, forestry, and fishing industries decreased by 2.5%. However, since the number of families living together is decreasing every year, there is an inevitable limit on face-to-face contact with family members or relatives. Therefore, it is necessary to establish policy that links the loneliness of senior citizens in the agricultural, forestry, and fishing industries with the effort of public institutions to promote social values.

• Research in Community and Public Health Nursing
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• v.32 no.4
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• pp.477-484
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• 2021

Purpose: Various intervention strategies are needed to reduce the suicide rate among late adolescents. Therefore, we aimed to investigate the factors that can help overcome suicidal tendencies in late adolescents from the perspective of case managers. Methods: This qualitative study explored the reinforcing factors that can help overcome suicidal behaviors in late adolescents, by conducting focus group interviews with case managers from the local community. Interviews with 10 case managers were recorded and transcribed, and the data were analyzed using the content analysis method. Results: The main theme of this study was "a step in a new direction". Three categories were derived: "inner changes", "another possibility opened up by the interest of significant others", and "connecting with community resources to help overcome". Each category had subcategories that influenced the intention and course of action of behaviors to overcome the suicide crises. Conclusion: Our findings, from the exploration of the experiences of case managers, provide an in-depth understanding of the reinforcing factors for overcoming suicide among late adolescents. They provide useful preliminary data for the development of effective suicide prevention programs for the adolescents.

• Journal of Korean Dental Hygiene Science
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• v.5 no.2
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• pp.73-83
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• 2022

Background: This study was aimed at reducing depression and improving the quality of life and oral health of the elderly Koreans by elucidating the effect of depression on their life quality and oral health. Methods: Original data from the 8th National Health and Nutrition Survey (2019) were analyzed and implemented. The elderly (age≥65years) Koreans were enrolled. The oral health status was determined using the Decayed, Missing, Filled Teeth (DMFT) index and subjective self-report. The quality of life was quantified as the sum of score of each item in the Euro Qol-5 dimension (EQ-5D) and Health-related Quality of Life Instrument with 8 Items (HINT-8). The t-test, one-way analysis of variance, correlation analysis, and multiple regression analysis were performed to statistically compare the quality of life, oral health status, and oral health status according to the depression status. Results: EQ-5D and HINT-8 scores differed significantly with the history of depression, current depression, stress perception, depression for 2 weeks, and annual suicidal intention (p≤0.05). The DMFT index score differed significantly with the depression diagnosis and depression for 2 weeks (p≤0.05). EQ-5D, HINT-8, and DMFT index differed significantly with all oral health behavior variables (p≤ 0.05). Conclusions: The results of this study could serve as a basis to formulate oral health programs for the elderly to reduce depression and improve the quality of life.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Clinical Toxicology
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• v.16 no.1
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• pp.42-48
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• 2018

Purpose: On November 15, 2012, sales of OTC (Over-The-Counter) drugs began at convenience stores, which changed the accessibility of some drugs. As a result, the exposure and access patterns of these drugs could have changed. In this study, we reviewed the changes in the characteristics of drug poisoning patients because of the reposition of nonprescription drugs according to the revised Pharmaceutical Affairs Act. Methods: A retrospective study was conducted to evaluate changes in characteristics of drug poisoning patients between 2008 and 2016. A registry was developed by an emergency medical center in a local tertiary teaching hospital, and patients who visited the center were enrolled in this registry. We compared two periods, from 2008 to 2012 (Pre OTC) and from 2013 to 2016 (Post OTC), for type of intoxicant, time from poisoning to visiting the emergency center, intention, psychiatric history, previous suicidal attempt, alcohol status, and emergency room outcomes. The primary outcome was the number of patients who took acetaminophen and NSAIDs (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs). Secondary outcomes were ICU admission rate, mortality rate, and number of patients who visited the ER when the pharmacy was closed after taking acetaminophen and NSAIDs (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs). Results: Among 1,564 patients, 945 and 619 patients visited the emergency room during pre and post OTC periods. The number of patients with acetaminophen and NSAIDs poisoning decreased from 9.2% to 6.1% (p=0.016). The ICU admission rate and mortality rate in the emergency room did not show significant results in the relevant patient groups, and so was the number of patients visiting ER when the pharmacy was closed taking acetaminophen and NSAIDs. Conclusion: Despite the sales of nonprescription drugs at convenience stores, the number of acetaminophen and NSAIDs poisoning patients decreased.