• Journal of the Korean Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry
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• v.26 no.3
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• pp.149-158
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• 2015

Objectives : The objective of this study was to identify the risky behavior subtypes in adolescents with depression, and the relationship between those subtypes and suicide attempt. Methods : Ninety adolescents who met the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders-4th edition criteria for major depressive disorder, dysthymia, or depressive disorder not otherwise specified participated in the study. Participants were interviewed about suicidal attempts, non-suicidal self-injuries. Smoking, drinking behaviors, and searching for the word "suicide" on the internet, negative life events including bulling-bullied experiences, and history of abuse were also included with questionnaires. Results : The results of cluster analysis showed that four risky behaviors were divided into three clusters : non-risky type, characterized by few risky behaviors ; delinquency type, which was characterized by smoking and drinking ; non-suicidal self-injury type. In non-suicidal self-injury type, percentage of girls was higher and clinical symptoms were more severe than delinquency type. In addition, delinquency type members could be a bully, while non-suicidal self-injury type members could be abused by a family member. Logistic regression analysis showed that both risky behavior subtypes were significant predictors of suicide attempt. Conclusion : These results suggest that two types of risky behaviors of depressed adolescents have an effect on the suicide attempts independently. Then, the implications and limitations of the study were discussed and directions for future studies were suggested.

• The Journal of Korean Society for School & Community Health Education
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• v.22 no.2
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• pp.1-14
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• 2021

Objectives: The study aimed to analyze the effects of household financial difficulties caused by COVID-19 (2019 coronavirus disease) on suicidal tendencies of adolescents. Methods: We selected 54,948 middle and high school students who were surveyed based on the Korean Youth Risk Behavior Web-based Survey 2020. To analyze the data, we used the STATA 16.0 program to conduct propensity score matching (PSM). Results: After controlling for selection effects by using PSM, the household financial difficulties caused by COVID-19 maintained a significant predictive effect on increasing suicidal ideation, suicide attempts, and decreasing tendency in hospital-treated after suicide attempts. However, depressive symptoms and suicide plan did not show a significant correlation with household financial difficulties associated with COVID-19. Conclusions: It was found that the rate of suicidal ideation and suicide attempts among adolescents who experienced a household financial difficulties due to COVID-19. Therefore, It can provide empirical evidence for estimating the impact of COVID-19 on adolescent suicide rates.

• Health Policy and Management
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• v.33 no.2
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• pp.194-292
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• 2023

Background: This study aimed to update suicide-related indicators, including the number of suicidal deaths, suicide rate, and the prevalence of suicidal ideation and suicide attempts. We observed trends in suicide-related indicators based on up-to-date information. Methods: This study used five data sources to evaluate the trends of suicide-related indicators: Statistics Korea (1983-2021), Korean Wealth Panel Study (KOWEPS, 2012-2021), and Korea Health Panel Survey (KHP, 2010-2013, 2016-2019), Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination (KNHANES, 2007-2013, 2015-2021), Korean Community Health Survey (KCHS, 2008-2009, 2013, 2017, 2021). Results: The suicide rate per 100,000 population increased from 25.7 in 2020 to 26.0 in 2021. The rates of suicidal ideation from recently available data were 4.28% (KNHANES, 2021), 6.52% (KCHS, 2021), 1.61% (KOWEPS) and 7.10% (KHP, 2019). The suicidal attempts rates were 0.46% (KNHANES, 2021) and 0.34% (KCHS, 2021). The annual percentage change (APC) of suicide rate showed that suicide rates increased in the younger population (APC=9.02% in <19 years, APC=5.13 in 20-39 years) although the rates decreased in the older population (APC=-3.37 in 60-79 years, APC=-2.25 in >80 years). Conclusion: The suicide rate and related indicators increased in 2021 compared to 2020. Thus, continuous observation and appropriate suicide prevention policies as well as studies about the factors that affected the increase in 2021 are needed.

• Journal of the Korean Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry
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• v.30 no.1
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• pp.26-33
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• 2019

Objectives: Suicide is the most frequent cause of death among Korean adolescents, and adolescents who have experienced trauma have an increased risk of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms, depression, and suicide attempts. However, resilience and self-esteem are protective factors. We examined the effects of resilience and self-esteem on the relationship among traumatic experiences, PTSD symptoms, depression, and suicidal ideation. Methods: Middle-school students (n=403) completed questionnaires assessing traumatic experiences, PTSD symptoms, depression, suicidal ideation, resilience, and self-esteem. Path analysis was performed to investigate the mediating effects of PTSD symptoms, resilience, self-esteem, and depression on the relationship between trauma exposure and suicidal ideation. Results: Traumatic experience was positively correlated with PTSD symptoms, depression, and suicidal ideation. PTSD symptoms and depression were positively correlated with suicidal ideation. The relationship between traumatic experiences and suicidal ideation was mediated by PTSD symptoms, which had both direct and indirect effects on suicidal ideation; the indirect effect was mediated by resilience, self-esteem, and depression. Conclusion: Korean adolescents who had experienced trauma were more likely to develop PTSD symptoms, increasing their risk of depression and suicidal ideation. However, self-esteem and resilience may help protect against depression and suicidal ideation. Our findings could inform suicide prevention initiatives.

• Journal of the Korea Convergence Society
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• v.9 no.11
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• pp.549-559
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• 2018

The purpose of this study was to investigate the risk factors of pregnancy and the relationship between pregnancy experience and suicidal behavior in 284 pregnancy experienced adolescents aged 13-19 years. The suicidal ideation was 57.8%, the suicide plan was 37.7% and the suicide attempt was 37.3% among female adolescents with pregnancy experience. By multivariate logistic regression analysis, female adolescents who experienced pregnancy had 1.44 times more suicidal ideation, 2.39 times more suicide plans, and 2.38 times more suicide attempts than those without suicidal thoughts, plans and attempts. Because of the high correlation between pregnancy experience and suicidal behavior in female adolescents, school and education authorities need systematic education and countermeasures to prevent adolescents' pregnancy and risk of suicide after pregnancy. And above all, convergent support and interest in home, school and community comprehensive area should be supported.

• Korean Journal of Psychosomatic Medicine
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• v.24 no.2
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• pp.236-243
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• 2016

Objectives : The aim of this study was to clarify the role of alcohol use disorders and acute alcohol consumption in suicide attempts by gender. Methods : Data of 1,152 suicide attempters(487 males and 742 females) who had visited an emergency center was gathered. Suicide attempts were categorized into three groups according to alcohol use: an alcohol use disorder group(AUD), an acute alcohol use group(AAU), and a no-alcohol use group(NAU). The intent and lethality of suicide attempts were evaluated by Suicidal Intents Scale and Risk-Rescue Rating Scale. Results : For Suicidal Intents Scale score, the male AUD group revealed a significantly lower mean score than the male AAU one. However, there were no statistically significant differences for female subjects across subgroups. With regard to the Risk-Rescue Rating Scale score, there were no significant differences for males, while the AUD group showed both the lowest highest rescue scores and lowest risk-rescue scores within female groups. Conclusions : AUD in females was more likely regarding impulsive suicide attempts with high rescue chances. Consuming alcohol might have different effect on suicide attempts by gender and our study shows that alcohol use is an important risk factor according to gender, particularly with regard to female suicide attempts.

• The Korean Journal of Health Service Management
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• v.8 no.2
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• pp.209-220
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• 2014

The purpose of this study was to identify the effects of depression, self-efficacy and social support on suicidal ideation in people with mental disorder. The participants for this study were 165 patients from psychiatric hospital, day hospital, community mental health center and nursing home, located in Busan. A self-report survey was used for data collection, which was carried out from May 1 to 30, 2011. The collected data were analyzed using SPSS21.0 program. According to results, Suicidal ideation was influenced by age, number of admission, psychiatric diagnosis and history of suicidal attempts. This study showed that suicide ideation had positive correlation with depression, negative with social support. History of suicidal attempt, depression, self-esteem and social support accounted for 52.8% regarding suicidal ideation. Based on the outcomes of this study, it is necessary to design an intervention program that emphasizes decreasing depression and suicidal attempt and increasing the self-esteem and social support in order to decrease suicidal ideation.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Clinical Toxicology
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• v.3 no.1
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• pp.33-39
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• 2005

Purpose: Nowadays the Korean society is in the center of time of the social change. Because of dissociation of traditional family, IMF (International Monetary Fund) crisis and economic recession, the mortality rate of suicidal attempts are increasing annually. The majority of suicidal attempts were by poisoning considering the characteristics of korean society. Therefore we studied to find out the characteristics of suicidal poisoning before and after social economic stress, and to suggest the direction for the proper management. Methods: We reviewed medical records of 547 patients of suicide by poisoning who visited the emergency medical centers of St. Mary's hospitals from 1997 to 2004. For the annual trends analysis, we analyzed the demographic and toxicologic data of these patients compared with before and after IMF crisis (1998) and the economic recession ($2003\~2004$). Results: At the time of IMF and the economic recession, the number of suicidal poisoning increased, especially in fifth decade. The refusal rate of toxicological emergency treatment increased. Also the mortality rate and the admission rate to ICU (Intensive Care Unit) increased during the same period. In the result of the comparison analysis, clinical severity and mortality of social problem group were higher. However they couldn't be treated appropriately because of financial problem and the family indifference. Conclusion: At the economic recession period, the severity of suicidal poisoned patients was high. But the refusal rate of toxicologic treatment also increased, so the patients had lost the chance for proper toxicologic treatment. Therefore they would be supported by medical institution and public health.

• Child Health Nursing Research
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• v.17 no.4
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• pp.264-271
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• 2011

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to compare self-esteem, perceived life satisfaction, depression and aggression according to the experience of suicidal impulse in adolescents. Methods: Data were collected from 249 middle and high school students in J city. The constructed questionnaires included items on self-esteem, perceived life satisfaction, depression and aggression. Results: Self-esteem, perceive life satisfaction, depression, and aggression differed significantly between the suicidal impulse group and non-suicidal impulse group. The suicidal impulse group experienced lower self-esteem (OR=3.27), higher depression (OR=12.38) and higher aggression (OR=5.72) than the non-suicidal impulse group. Conclusion: The findings indicate that integrated and effective interventions are needed to prevent suicidal attempts by adolescents who had experiences of suicidal impulse. Information on the cognitive, psychological and social characteristics of adolescents must be considered when developing the interventions.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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• v.18 no.5
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• pp.308-317
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• 2017

This study aims to determine the current status of experiences of suicidal attempts of Korean women and to evaluate related factors and provide basic sources for distinguishing high risk group. The primary data of the 6th period of national health and nutrition survey by KCDC, between 2013 and 2015,wereutilized in this study.Women were selected;general characteristics, psychological characteristics, and relevant information of daily activities were collected. The collected data wereanalyzed by applying the complex sample analysis method,using the SPSS 20.0 program with an application of weighted values. The resultsof this study revealed that 1% of the study population had previously attempted suicide; the suicidal attempts in subjects with prior psychological counselling within 1 year was 5.25 times higher than those without prior counselling.Subjectswith too much stress were 14.92 times more likely to attempt suicide than those without stress. Moreover, subjects with higher-intensity work in daily lives was 4.85 times more likely to attempt suicide than those with less intense work. In addition, subjects who sat for longer period of time was 3.76 times more likely to attempt suicide. All of these were statistically significant. Therefore, these subjects should be considered as high risk for suicidal attempt.In order to prevent female suicide, guidelines that considers the psychological health status and daily activities are required. In addition, it is necessary to approach this issuewith individualized prevention programs as part of social policies.