Suicidal ideation associated with depression and social support: a survey-based analysis of older adults in South Korea

Abstract Background This study examined the effect of depression on suicidal ideation among older adults in South Korea. Furthermore, this study investigated how social support, as a factor that reduces depression among older adults, mediates the relationship between depression and suicidal ideation...

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Main Authors: Bum Jung KIM, Taesuk KIHL
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: BMC 2021-08-01
Series:BMC Psychiatry
Subjects:
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1186/s12888-021-03423-8
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author Bum Jung KIM
Taesuk KIHL
author_facet Bum Jung KIM
Taesuk KIHL
author_sort Bum Jung KIM
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Background This study examined the effect of depression on suicidal ideation among older adults in South Korea. Furthermore, this study investigated how social support, as a factor that reduces depression among older adults, mediates the relationship between depression and suicidal ideation. Methods Based on a survey of 260 older adults in Seoul and Gyeonggi Province, suicidal ideation, depression, and social support were evaluated using the Beck Scale for Suicidal Ideation, the Center of Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale, and the Measurement of Social Support in the Elderly, respectively. Results A multiple regression analysis confirmed that depression and social support were significantly associated with suicidal ideation. Based on path analysis, we found that social support mediated the relationship between depression and suicidal ideation. Conclusions Therefore, this study provides concrete insights for policymakers and social workers about how suicidal ideation among older adults may be diminished. Particularly, the role of depression and social support in suicidal ideation is a matter of concern for older adults in South Korea.
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spelling doaj.art-b64432d6ae1f47d7905b924b7c86f9612022-12-21T22:10:30ZengBMCBMC Psychiatry1471-244X2021-08-012111910.1186/s12888-021-03423-8Suicidal ideation associated with depression and social support: a survey-based analysis of older adults in South KoreaBum Jung KIM0Taesuk KIHL1Department of Social Welfare, Chung-Ang UniversityGraduate School, Sangmyung UniversityAbstract Background This study examined the effect of depression on suicidal ideation among older adults in South Korea. Furthermore, this study investigated how social support, as a factor that reduces depression among older adults, mediates the relationship between depression and suicidal ideation. Methods Based on a survey of 260 older adults in Seoul and Gyeonggi Province, suicidal ideation, depression, and social support were evaluated using the Beck Scale for Suicidal Ideation, the Center of Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale, and the Measurement of Social Support in the Elderly, respectively. Results A multiple regression analysis confirmed that depression and social support were significantly associated with suicidal ideation. Based on path analysis, we found that social support mediated the relationship between depression and suicidal ideation. Conclusions Therefore, this study provides concrete insights for policymakers and social workers about how suicidal ideation among older adults may be diminished. Particularly, the role of depression and social support in suicidal ideation is a matter of concern for older adults in South Korea.https://doi.org/10.1186/s12888-021-03423-8DepressionSocial supportSuicidal ideationOlder adultsSouth Korea
spellingShingle Bum Jung KIM
Taesuk KIHL
Suicidal ideation associated with depression and social support: a survey-based analysis of older adults in South Korea
BMC Psychiatry
Depression
Social support
Suicidal ideation
Older adults
South Korea
title Suicidal ideation associated with depression and social support: a survey-based analysis of older adults in South Korea
title_full Suicidal ideation associated with depression and social support: a survey-based analysis of older adults in South Korea
title_fullStr Suicidal ideation associated with depression and social support: a survey-based analysis of older adults in South Korea
title_full_unstemmed Suicidal ideation associated with depression and social support: a survey-based analysis of older adults in South Korea
title_short Suicidal ideation associated with depression and social support: a survey-based analysis of older adults in South Korea
title_sort suicidal ideation associated with depression and social support a survey based analysis of older adults in south korea
topic Depression
Social support
Suicidal ideation
Older adults
South Korea
url https://doi.org/10.1186/s12888-021-03423-8
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