• Korea journal of population studies
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• v.23 no.2
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• pp.167-187
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• 2000

The rates and numbers of elderly suicide in Korea have been increased during 1985-1998. This indicates the seriousness of the problems which the elderly are faced with. So many late-life problems may push older people across the edges. Those in unbearable situations may call out fur helps, they may try to cope with various ways, or they may commit suicides. Because it is widely believed that suicide among the elderly can be understood as a personal solution or alternative to late-life problems in old age, the elderly\`s suicides seem to be an appropriate indicator in estimating seriousness of late-life problems. A comparison of the history of suicide research with other populations shows that the several late-life problems have been found with placing an individual elder at risks for increasing suicidal behaviors Research has identified such problems as financial insecurity, retirement, loss of social roles, physical illness, lack of social supports, and loneliness as the problems that increase the incidence of suicidal behavior. Though it is difficult far us to explain and understand the phenomenon of the elderly\`s suicide because of its complexity, we need to ascertain problems and social conditions behind suicides and also to prepare for some appropriate policy-tasks in light of social welfare for the aged, through examining the phenomenon. For explaining the elderly\`s suicide, the theoretical orientations are based on sociological perspectives in the paper. From the standpoints of social integration theory and exchange theory, this study is to examine the relationship between late-life problems and suicide. These two may have been fruitfully employed in conjunction with each other. Finally, this study would identify urgent late-life problems related with the elderly\`s suicide and suggest the relevant policies for Korean elders. Sometime in the near future, the government should be required to provide social welfare programs for the elderly, particularly for those at risk for increasing suicidal behaviors.

• Korean Journal of Culture and Social Issue
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• v.25 no.4
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• pp.325-351
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• 2019

The present study examined patterns of co-occurrence between DSM-5 posttraumatic stress disorder(PTSD) symptoms and posttraumatic growth(PTG) among Korean populations(n= 860). Latent profile analysis was used to identify subclasses and suggested that the 3-class model fit best: (1) Low PTSD/Mild PTG group (2) Low PTSD/High PTG group; (3) High PTSD/High PTG group. Class membership was predicted by demographic variables, social isolation, and frequency of traumatic experiences. Classes also differed with respect to self-destructive behaviors(binge eating, non-suicidal self-injury, and problem drinking). These findings contribute to future research about the coexisting patterns of PTSD and PTG, and to identify high-risk individuals who suffer from trauma-related problems in clinical practice.

• Journal of agricultural medicine and community health
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• v.38 no.2
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• pp.116-129
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• 2013

Objectives: This study was performed to identify the associations of social capital with suicidal thoughts and attempts in Korean communities with poor health. Methods: We used the data from community health interviews conducted at 40 administrative sections (dong, eup, or myeon) with high mortality from August to October in 2010, 2011, and 2012 as part of the Health Plus Happiness Plus Projects in Gyeongsangnam-do Province. The 8,800 study subjects composed of 220 adults systematically sampled from each administrative section were asked if they had thought about suicide or had attempted suicide within 1 year. The social participation was measured with 'participation in formal and/or informal group' and trust using responses to three questions about trust of others. Results: The prevalence of suicidal ideation and attempt within 1 year were 10.4% and 0.8%, respectively. The logistic regression analysis revealed that those who participated in only informal groups, or had highest trust level reported less suicidal ideation, or attempt after adjusting for socio-demographic factors (sex, age, marital status, occupation, and food affordability), self-rated health, and health behaviors (smoking, alcohol drinking, and exercise). Conclusions: This study suggested social capital such as social participation and trust was associated with less suicide ideation and attempt. More studies are warranted for the association of social capital with suicidal behavior.

• Journal of the Korean Society of School Health
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• v.33 no.2
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• pp.125-138
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• 2020

Purpose: The study investigated the effect of adolescent health behavior on the prevalence of current allergic diseases. Methods: The subjects were 57,303 middle and high school youth. Data were analyzed using Rao-Scott χ² test and complex sample logistic regression analysis. Results: While controlling the affect of the general characteristics of the subjects, health behaviors affecting the current prevalence of allergic diseases were smoking, drinking, physical activity, eating habits, drug abuse, and mental health. Smoking behaviors affecting the current prevalence of allergic diseases were lifetime smoking experience, smoking days, liquid e-cigarette lifetime smoking experience, number of liquid electronic cigarette smoking days, e-cigarette lifetime smoking experience, e-cigarette smoking days, amount of smoking, second-hand smoking and drinking behaviors were lifetime drinking, drinking days, the amount of drinking, and severe drinking. Variables such as physical activity exceeding 60 minutes days, intake of energy and sweet drinks, water intake, habitual drug use and mental health behavior such as stress perception, weekday sleep time, subjective sleep satisfaction, depression, suicidal thoughts/ plan/ attempts affect current allergic diseases (p<.001). Conclusion: The results showed that current allergic disease related health behaviors in Korean adolescents. Therefore, considering these factors, it may be helpful to facilitate a health promotion plan for prevention and management of such diseases and to promote evidence-based health practices at school.

• The Journal of the Korea Contents Association
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• v.17 no.7
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• pp.557-570
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• 2017

This study, as a secondary analysis research, bases its source upon on raw data from the on-line survey of the Korean adolescents' health behaviors in 2015. This study was conducted to clarify the relevance of Korean adolescents' smoking with their health behaviors and mental health, and thus further to provide basic sources of effective education for their smoking prevention and for program development. The results of the study showed that Korean adolescents' smoking was significantly affected by the adolescents' sex, grades, school achievements, types of schools, allowances, economic status, parents' educational background (p<0.001). Meanwhile, smoking based on the characteristics of health behaviors was significantly different according to alcohol consuming experience, families' and friends' smoking, physical activity and subjective health status, and BMI (p<0.001). Smoking characterized by mental health showed the significant difference in their stress recognition, subjective sleep patterns, depressed experiences, suicidal ideation, and subjective sense of happiness (p<0.001). Based on all the factors regarding youth smoking, there should be development and provision of educational program for smoking prevention and cessation, including healthy behavior and mental health improvement for Korean adolescent.

• Korean Journal of Health Education and Promotion
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.75-91
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• 2007

Objectives: It is known that the majority of middle schoolers spend the substantial amount of time using the Internet. Despite the fact, little is known about which factors are related to an increase in Internet use and what could be the consequences of excessive Internet use. The aim of this study was to explore factors affecting an increase in Internet use among elementary schoolers representing the population of South Korean elementary schoolers. Method: Secondary data obtained from the Korea Youth Panel Survey were analyzed longitudinally. Results: The average minutes spent using the Internet was 73.43 in the first wave, and was 92.17 in the second wave. Also, the percentage of those who experienced illegal behaviors on the Internet was 22.86% in the first wave, and was 30.92% in the second wave. Second, increased Internet use was strongly associated with an attack tendency, depression, suicidal ideation, stress, and delinquent behaviors. Finally, gender(being female), and increased attacking tendency, and smoking experiences successfully predicted an increase in Internet use one year later. Conclusions: It is necessary to provide education programs to young people and to develop preventive strategies for them. Through providing education programs, children can form desirable attitudes regarding the Internet use. Through providing intervention strategies, children can prevent from experiencing negative consequences due to excessive Internet use.

• Korean Journal of Biological Psychiatry
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• v.23 no.4
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• pp.123-129
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• 2016

Depression has a relatively high lifetime prevalence rate in spite of a genetic influence on its etiology and a high mortality rate in untreated cases. This suggests the possibility that depression gives us evolutionary benefits which we do not exactly know yet. There have been several hypotheses which tell us what evolutionary advantages depression could give us. The psychic pain hypothesis considers sad or depressed mood as a negative reward just like physical pain which we have to avoid for our protection and survival. The social rank hypothesis holds that depressed mood is very similar to the emotional state of the defeated in social competition which prevents him from further protesting or fighting that might cause additional damage to him. The inclusive fitness hypothesis views suicide as a sacrifice phenomenon to contribute to inclusive fitness. These hypotheses gives us new insights into mood disorders and also some suggestions about the conditions in which depressed mood or suicidal behaviors increase and the ways to reduce them.

• Journal of the Korean Society of School Health
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• v.37 no.1
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• pp.33-41
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• 2024

Purpose: This study aims to investigate the factors associated with high-caffeine drink consumption among Korean adolescents. Methods: Secondary data analysis was conducted utilizing the 18th Korea Youth Risk Behavior Survey, with a total enrollment of 51,850 students. Descriptive statistics, x² tests, and multivariate logistic regression were performed using SPSS 23.0. Results: The study identified several factors associated with high-caffeine drink consumption, including school levels, tobacco or alcohol consumption, walking, perceived stress levels, feelings of sadness, loneliness, and anxiety, and the occurrence of suicidal thoughts. Conclusion: The findings suggest there is an association between unhealthy health behaviors or mental health issues, and consumption of high-caffeine drinks among adolescents. It emphasizes the need for increased attention and targeted educational interventions for adolescents at high risk.

• Korea Journal of Hospital Management
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• v.24 no.3
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• pp.27-37
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• 2019

Purpose: The Purpose of this study is to provide basic data for solving mental health problems of people with disabilities by analyzing the relationship between leisure activities and the mental health. Methods: We used the chi-square test and the logistic regression model to analyze the data of the National Survey of People with Disabilities in 2017. 6,437 responses of secondary processed data were used in the analysis, Socio-economic, health behaviors and risk variables that affect the mental health of people with Disabilities were used as control variables. Result: As a result of the analysis, People with disabilities who are satisfied with their leisure activities have less depression for two weeks and less suicidal impulses (Depression: [OR]=1.80 p-value<.0001, Suicide Impulse: [OR]=2.26 p-value<.0001). In the case of the experience of leisure activities, some significance was relevant to depression for two weeks (Depression: [OR]=1.65 p-value=0.0052). Conclusion: In order to improve mental health of people with disabilities, it is necessary to provide opportunities for participation in leisure activities by improving the socioeconomic status of them. In addition, a high quality leisure program should be provided that meets the individual's needs to increase the satisfaction of leisure activities for people with disabilities.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Culture
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• v.38 no.1
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• pp.38-47
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• 2023

In this study, we aimed to explore whether eating alone is associated with mental health conditions in Korean adolescents. The data of 2,012 Korean adolescents aged 12-18 years were obtained from the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2015-2019. Participants were classified into three groups based on the frequency of eating alone: none (all meals with others); 1 meal/day alone; and ≥2 meals/day alone. Mental health conditions were assessed based on stress recognition, depressive symptoms, and suicidal ideation. Multivariable logistic regressions were employed to calculate the adjusted odds ratios (AORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) of poor mental health conditions according to the frequency of eating alone. Adolescents who ate ≥2 meals/day alone had higher odds of stress recognition (AOR: 2.65, 95% CI: 1.94-3.63), depressive symptoms (AOR: 2.55, 95% CI: 1.47-4.42), and suicidal ideation (AOR: 2.53, 95% CI: 1.05-6.08) than those who ate all their meals with others. In addition, having breakfast or dinner alone increased the odds of stress recognition. Considering the continuous increase in the social phenomenon of eating alone, nutritional educations are needed to develop adolescents' ability to choose more nutritionally balanced and healthy meals when eating alone.