Citation

Kang BH, Kang JH, Park HA, Cho YG, Hur YI, Sim WY, Byeon GR, Kim K. Korean J. Fam. Med. 2017; 38(4): 213-219.

Affiliation

Department of Family Medicine, Inje University Seoul Paik Hospital, Inje University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2017, Korean Academy of Family Medicine)

DOI

10.4082/kjfm.2017.38.4.213

PMID

28775811

PMCID

PMC5541169

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Youth suicide is increasingly being recognized as a major social problem in South Korea. In this study, we aimed to explore the effects of parental support on the relationship between life stress and suicidal ideation among middle-school students.

METHODS: This study analyzed data from a cross-sectional study on mental health conducted by the South Korea National Youth Policy Institute between May and July of 2013. Questionnaire responses from 3,007 middle-school students regarding stress factors, thoughts of suicide during the past year, and parental support were analyzed in terms of 3 subscale elements: emotional, academic, and financial support.

RESULTS: Among the participants, 234 male students (7.8%) and 476 female students (15.8%) reported experiencing suicidal ideation in the past year. Life stress significantly influenced suicidal ideation (P<0.001), and parental support and all of the subscale elements had a significant influence on decreasing suicidal ideation. As shown in model 1, life stress increased suicidal ideation (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 1.318; P<0.001), and, in model 2, the effect of life stress on suicidal ideation decreased with parental support (aOR, 1.238; P<0.001).

CONCLUSION: Parental support was independently related to a decrease in suicidal ideation, and life stress was independently related to an increase in suicidal ideation. Parental support buffered the relationship between life stress and suicidal ideation.

Language: en

Keywords

Adolescent; Parent-Child Relations; Social Support; Stress, Psychological; Suicidal Ideation