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Published in: International Journal of Public Health 4/2011

01-08-2011 | Original Article

Suicidal ideation and associated factors by sex in Korean adults: a population-based cross-sectional survey

Authors: Young Ran Chin, Hyo Young Lee, Eun Sun So

Published in: International Journal of Public Health | Issue 4/2011

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Abstract

Objective

This study investigates suicidal ideation and its associated factors by sex in Korean adults, focusing on health behaviors and health status.

Methods

Cross-sectional data of 6,969 adults (25–64 years) who completed the Fourth Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey were analyzed.

Results

In both sexes, those who were married, had higher educational attainment or were non-smokers experienced low stress and had good self-rated health showed lower suicidal ideation. Significant factors were age for men and subjective body image and sleep time for women. In men, those aged 45–54 years showed the highest suicidal ideation rate. The effects of stress and depression on suicidal ideation were higher in men than in women.

Conclusions

The development of a suicide prevention program for Korean adults requires different approaches for each sex. For working men aged 45–54 years, it should focus on the management of work-related stress and depression. For women, it should be a community support program for those who are less educated, have no job or experience a great deal of stress and depression.
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Metadata
Title
Suicidal ideation and associated factors by sex in Korean adults: a population-based cross-sectional survey
Authors
Young Ran Chin
Hyo Young Lee
Eun Sun So
Publication date
01-08-2011
Publisher
SP Birkhäuser Verlag Basel
Published in
International Journal of Public Health / Issue 4/2011
Print ISSN: 1661-8556
Electronic ISSN: 1661-8564
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s00038-011-0245-9

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