Citation

Kim BJ, Kihl T. BMC Psychiatry 2021; 21(1): e409.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2021, Holtzbrinck Springer Nature Publishing Group - BMC)

DOI

10.1186/s12888-021-03423-8

PMID

34407801

PMCID

PMC8375215

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.

Language: en

Keywords

Humans; Risk Factors; Aged; Depression; Social Support; Suicidal Ideation; Surveys and Questionnaires; Older adults; Suicidal ideation; Social support; Republic of Korea; South Korea