Citation

Shin JU, Baek S. J. Agr. Med. Community Health 2013; 71-84.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2013, Korean Association of Agricultural Medicine and Community Health)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

OBJECTIVES: As suicide among the elderly population has been a critical issue in Korea, this study aimed to evaluate correlations of suicidal ideation with protective and risk factors among elderly who reside in a rural community.

METHODS: A total of 157 elders from Gyeongju city, who had attended senior centers in, were enrolled to answer questionnaires including the Geriatric Depression Scale Short Form-Korea and the Scale for Suicidal Ideation. Data were analyzed using SPSS 18.0K for Windows, and included t-test, Pearson correlation, and a three-step hierarchical multiple regression analyses.

RESULTS: Using the hierarchical regression analyses for predicting the elderly's suicidal ideation, male gender and social group variables were entered as predictors in the first step(adjusted R2=0.107, P<0.05). Pain, ADLs, family support variables were not entered in the second step. Depression variable was the only predictor in the third step(adjusted R2=0.384, P<0.001).

CONCLUSIONS: Although this study confirmed the impact of depression on the suicidal ideation, elderly with risk factors including male gender and social isolation should receive a special attention from community health care professionals.

Language: ko

Keywords

Depression; Elderly; Suicidal ideation; Pain; Family support