• Journal of The Korean Society of Clinical Toxicology
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.69-80
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• 2023

Purpose: Suicide ranks among the top causes of death among youth in South Korea. This study aimed to identify the characteristics of suicidal individuals treated at emergency departments between 2011 and 2020. Methods: A retrospective analysis was conducted using data from January 2011 to December 2020 in the Injury Surveillance Cohort, a prospective registry. Patients' sex, age, mortality, methods of self-harm, and previous suicide attempts were analyzed. The methods of self-harm were categorized into falls, asphyxiation, blunt injuries, penetrating injuries, poisoning, and others. Sub-groups with and without poisoning were compared. Results: The proportion of self-harm/suicide attempts increased from 2.3% (2011) to 5.0% (2020). The mortality rate decreased from 10.8% (2011) to 6.3% (2020). Poisoning was the most common method (61.7%). Mortality rates ranged from 42.0% for asphyxiation to 0.2% for blunt injuries. Individuals in their 20s showed a marked increase in suicide/self-harm attempts, especially in the last three years. A large proportion of decedents in their 70s or older (52.6%) used poisoning as a method of suicide. The percentage of individuals with two or more previous attempts rose from 7.1% (2011) to 19.7% (2020). The death rates by poisoning decreased from 7.7% (2011) to 2.5% (2020). Conclusion: Our findings underscore the urgent need for targeted interventions and suicide prevention policies. Managing and reducing suicide and self-harm in emergency settings will require a focus on poisoning, the 10-29 age group, and the elderly. This paper will be valuable for future policies aiming to reduce the societal burden of suicide and self-harm.

• Korean Journal of Biological Psychiatry
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• v.11 no.2
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• pp.110-116
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• 2004

Objectives:Recently, polymorphisms of several serotonin genes have been suggested to be associated with suicide, but the results are still unclear. We examined whether the T102C polymorphisms of the serotonin 2A receptor gene and the G861C polymorphisms of the serotonin 1B receptor gene were associated with suicidal behavior using drug intoxication. Methods:The subjects were 52 patients who visited emergency room with suicidal behaviors. Fifty controls were selected from healthy volunteers matched for sex and age to the suicide subjects. The polymorphisms were analyzed with TaqMan$^{(R)}$ assay using primers based on previous studies. Results:The T102C polymorphism of the serotonin 2A receptor gene showed no significant difference between the suicidal attempters and controls in both genotype and allele frequency analyses(p=0.179 and p=0.422, respectively). There was no statistically significant difference between the suicidal attempters and the controls in the G861C polymorphism of the serotonin 1B receptor gene and any significant effect of the genotype distributions or the allele frequencies was not observed(p=0.092 and p=0.987, respectively). Conclusion:These findings suggest that the T102C polymorphism in serotonin 2A receptor gene and the G861C polymorphism in serotonin 1B receptor gene are not related to the susceptibility to suicide attempts using drugs. To clarify the genetic influences of the serotonergic system on suicidal behavior, the polymorphisms of other candidate genes in the serotonergic system should be studied with larger numbers of subjects.

• Women's Health Nursing
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.128-138
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• 2015

Purpose: This cross-sectional study was designed to identify anger-expression types of adolescent women and investigate the relationship between the identified anger-expression types and their problem behaviors and suicide probability. Methods: The participants were 942 students at two female high school located in Gwangju. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, cluster analysis, t-test, ANOVA, and $Scheff{\acute{e}}$ multiple comparison test. Results: Cluster analysis revealed 4 distinct anger expression types; Anger-out, Low anger expression, Anger-control, and Anger-in/out types. Female adolescent women had a higher level of trait anger or who frequently used the anger-in/out type reported internalized-externalized problem behaviors and suicide probability more frequently compared to those who frequently used the other three types of anger expression. Conclusion: Female adolescent women who had the low anger expression type and anger control type managed anger most effectively. The findings suggest the necessity of a development of the program for lowering the trait anger level and controlling the unfavorable anger expression types such as the anger-in/out.

• Journal of the Korean Society of School Health
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• v.20 no.1
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• pp.11-24
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• 2007

Purpose : Health Risk behaviors are a leading cause of preventable morbidity and mortality. Adolescents is a critical transitional period for establishing health behavior for healthy life. The purpose of this study was to describe the types and frequency of the health risk behaviors being performed by middle school students, examine the gender and grade differences of health risk behaviors, and identify the relationship among health risk behaviors. Methods : A total of 1952 early adolescents recruited from 7 middle schools in a district of urban setting completed questionnaires. Youth Risk Behavior Survey-Middle school questionnaires was used to identify the types of health risk behaviors among early adolescents. Data were analyzed by descriptive statistics and Chi-Square test using SAS program . Results : The results showed the frequency for most health risk behaviors and increased with advancing grade level. Males were more likely than females to behaviors related to smoking and violence, whereas females were more likely than males to have suicidal thoughts, be physical inactive and attempt to lose weight. Among health risk behaviors, the relationship of alcohol experience, smoking, and suicide was high. Conclusion : The findings identify a high risk target group among middle school adolescents and suggest that preventive intervention strategies should take into consideration the types with gender and grade, and provided the evidence that one of health risk behaviors may induce the other health risk behaviors.

• Korean Journal of Biological Psychiatry
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• v.12 no.2
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• pp.189-195
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• 2005

Objects:Some studies have suggested that brain-derived neurotrophic factor(BDNF), one of the most important neurotrophins, is involved in pathophysiology of depression and suicide. This study was performed to determine whether there is an abnormality in plasma BDNF concentration in suicidal attempters. Methods:The subjects were 71 suicidal attempters who visited emergency rooms in multi-medical centers. All subjects had been interviewed by using Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV(SCID), Hamilton Depression Rating Scale(HDRS), Young Mania Rating Scale(YMRS), and Positive And Negative Syndrome Scale(PANSS). The severity of the suicidal behavior was measured by Lethality of Suicide Attempt Rating Scale(LSARS) and Risk-Rescue Rating(RRR) system. Seventy-one age, sex, and diagnosis matched non-suicidal psychiatric patients who were consecutively admitted to a psychiatric ward during the same period recruited as psychiatric controls. They were drug-naive or drug-free at least more than 2 months. In addition, 80 healthy controls were randomly selected as normal controls. Plasma BDNF level was measured by the enzyme linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA) methods. Results:In overall F-test, differences of the plasma BDNF levels among the groups were statistically significant(F=20.226, p<0.001). In the multiple comparisons(Scheffe), while mean levels of plasma BDNF between normal controls and non-suicidal psychiatric patients were similar(p=0.984), the BDNF levels of suicidal attempters were lower than those of other two groups(p<0.001). LSARS and RRR did not reveal any significant correlations with BDNF levels in suicidal attempters. Conclusion:These results suggest that reduction of plasma BDNF level is related to suicidal behavior and BDNF level may be a biological marker of suicidal behavior.

• Anxiety and mood
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• v.14 no.2
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• pp.88-98
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• 2018

Objective : The purpose of this study was to establish a school-based mental health intervention. The success of which was indexed by its effects on the social anxiety symptoms of the enrolled adolescents. Methods : This program for promoting mental health among adolescents in the community was adopted by three middle schools that volunteered to participate in the project. The program included screening for emotional problems related to social anxiety, depression, suicide, and post-traumatic stress disorder. Case management was provided for groups considered high-risk for depression, suicide, or post-traumatic stress disorder; cognitive-behavior therapy was provided for those at high-risk of developing social anxiety. Additionally, educational programs for the prevention of suicide, a "loving life" module, and mental health promotional campaigns were also included. In total, 1,100 middle school students completed self-report questionnaires. Twenty-five students in the high-risk group for social anxiety participated in a cognitive-behavior therapy program, comprising eight sessions, and conducted by two clinical psychologists. Results : Following the suicide prevention education program, suicide awareness among students increased and coping strategies were improved. In addition, the loving life program was associated with positive self-perceptions by many students. Furthermore, social anxiety symptoms showed a statistically significant difference after the cognitive-behavior therapy program. After the therapy, not only did social anxiety symptoms improve, depressive symptoms and suicidal ideation decreased significantly, while self-esteem and psychological resilience significantly increased. Conclusion : A school-based mental health intervention was successfully implemented in three middle schools and improved the mental health of the participating students. Therefore, this intervention could be widely implemented to promote positive mental health among middle school students.

• 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.

• The Journal of Korean Society for School & Community Health Education
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• v.17 no.3
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• pp.11-25
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• 2016

Background & Objectives: There were increasing evidence about the relationship between allergy related disease such as asthma, atopic dermatitis and allergic rhinitis and suicide ideation. However little was known about the concrete relatedness between severity and comorbidity of allergy related disease with suicide ideation. The objective of this study was to investigate the cases of the prevalence of suicide ideation among adolescents with allergy related disease such as asthma, atopic dermatitis and allergic rhinitis, and examine the association between allergy related disease and suicidal ideation among adolescents in South Korea. Methods: Data was based on Korean Youth Risk Behavior Web-based Survey(2014) which was a cross-sectional study containing 34,874 Korean middle and high school students who diagnosed with allergy related disease. We used the weights, strata and primary sampling unit information provided by the public use dataset to compute descriptive statistics and logistic regressions. Computations were done with SPSS version 20.0. Results: 19.9%, 15.6%, 13.8% of adolescents who suffered from one, two and three of allergy related diseases respectively reported having been thought of suicide ideation. Socio-demographic factors were adjusted as control variables. Students with greater severity of disease were more likely to have suicide ideation. Odds ratio for students who were absent one to three days from school because of allergies was 1.96(95% CI 1.51-2.46), and odds ratio for those who were absent more than four days from school was 3.60(95% CI 2.46-5.28). Conclusions: Given that adolescents' severity and comorbidity of allergy related disease were clearly associated with suicide ideation, suicide prevention programs for adolescents with allergy related disease should be improved by strategic approaches towards the severity and comorbidity of disease.

• Journal of the Korean Society of School Health
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• v.32 no.2
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• pp.105-115
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• 2019

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to compare the mental health factors related to health risk behaviors between multicultural and monocultural adolescents. Methods: The study subjects were selected from the 2018 Korea Youth Risk Behavior Web-Based Survey Dataset. A total of 60,040 multicultural and monocultural adolescents were included in the analysis. A $x^2$ test and logistic regression were conducted, using SPSS 18.0, to compare the general characteristics, mental health, and health risk behaviors of the multicultural and monocultural adolescents. This process involved a complex sample design. Results: There was a significant difference in the rates of suicidal behaviors. Multicultural adolescents showed a significantly higher rate of suicidal ideation (8.6% vs. 8.5%, p=.004), suicidal plan (3.2% vs. 2.4%, p=.004), and suicidal attempt (5.0% vs 3.1%, p=.04) than monocultural adolescents. Perceived stress had a significant impact only on monocultural adolescents. Monocultural adolescents with high levels of perceived stress were at a greater risk of drinking (high stress=reference; low stress OR=0.91, p=.025) and smoking (high stress=reference; low stress OR=0.90, p=.029) than those with low stress. Multicultural adolescents who had made suicide attempts were at a higher risk of drinking (multicultural OR=7.879, p<.001; monocultural OR=2.481, p<.001) and smoking (multicultural OR=4.011, p=.015; monocultural OR=2.800, p<.001) than monocultural adolescents. Conclusion: To implement an effective smoking and drinking prevention program, it is necessary to consider how we can reduce the risk factors. Stress management is important for monocultural adolescents and a proactive suicide-screening program and a suicide prevention program should be included in the program for both multicultural and monocultural adolescents.

• Journal of the Korean Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry
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• v.32 no.3
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• pp.104-111
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• 2021

Objectives: Adolescent suicide is a serious national issue in Korea. Recently, life satisfaction has been recognized as a major factor related to this issue. The main purpose of this study was to identify the domains of life satisfaction that affect suicidal behavior in adolescence. Methods: Data were collected from eight middle schools in Incheon, Korea. A total of 1297 students answered questions regarding their demographic characteristics, happiness, self-related life satisfaction domains (appearance, leisure time, physical health, and mental health), depressive symptoms, and suicidal behavior. Results: In the Spearman correlation analysis, female sex, perceived socioeconomic status (SES), happiness, and all four self-related satisfaction scores showed significant correlations with depression and suicidality. Multivariate regression analysis suggested that suicidality was significantly affected by perceived SES, satisfaction with appearance, mental health satisfaction, and depression. Finally, depression was identified as a partial mediator of the association between mental health satisfaction and suicidality, and a complete mediator of the association between female sex and suicidality. Conclusion: Perceived SES, satisfaction with appearance, and mental health satisfaction significantly affected students' suicidality, with or without the effect of depression. Health authorities, educators, and family members must be aware of this to identify adolescents at suicide risk earlier.