Urban and rural differences in suicidal ideation and associated factors among older Koreans: Results from the Korean National Survey 2012–2013

• Published in: Current psychology (New Brunswick, N.J.) Vol. 42; no. 9; pp. 7002 - 7011
• Main Authors: Park, Eunok, Lee, Hyo Young
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: New York Springer US 01.03.2023; Springer; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Aged; Behavioral Science and Psychology; Chi-square test; Comparative analysis; Demographic aspects; Forecasts and trends; Health aspects; Older people; Psychological aspects; Psychology; Rural areas; Rural population; Social Sciences; Suicidal ideation; Suicides & suicide attempts; Urban areas; Urban population; South Korea; Rural; Urban; Residential area; Suicidal ideation; Older people
• ISSN: 1046-1310; 1936-4733
• DOI: 10.1007/s12144-021-01962-7

At present, majority of studies have focused only on high suicide rates in cities or rural areas. This study investigated sociodemographic factors, health-related factors, and suicidal ideation among older Koreans and compared the risk factors for suicidal ideation in urban and rural areas. A secondary analysis was conducted using data from a nationwide cross-sectional survey of the Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey from 2012 to 2013. Subjects aged >65 years (2630) were included, and pooled sampling weights were applied to all data analysis processes. Chi-square tests and multiple logistic regression analyses were performed. The contribution of each factor to suicidal ideation differed significantly between urban and rural areas. Older people living in urban areas cited more contributing factors than those living in rural areas. The factors associated with suicidal ideation among elderly Koreans were primarily health-related in both residential areas. Only two factors, bedridden status and experience of melancholic mood, were common to both areas. The impact of melancholic mood on suicidal ideation was the greatest among all the related factors in both areas, and was larger in urban areas than in rural areas. Subjective unhealthy status, including mental health status, was more influential on suicidal ideation in urban areas. Gender and marital status did not influence suicidal ideation among older people. Factors associated with suicidal ideation must be considered when developing suicide prevention programs tailored to residential areas.