Risk factors for suicidal ideation in Korean middle-aged adults: the role of socio-demographic status.
BACKGROUND
The investigations of the risk factors for suicidal ideation among middle-aged adults may be especially important for predicting suicidal actions, given the steep increase in suicide among Koreans aged 45-54. Few studies have sought to investigate the effect of socio-demographic status on suicidal ideation among middle-aged adults.


OBJECTIVE
This study investigated the influence of socio-demographic status on suicidal ideation among middle-aged adults in South Korea.


METHODS
The sample consisted of middle-aged men (n = 3,214) and middle-aged women (n = 4,087) aged 40-64 years who had participated in the 2005 cross-sectional Seoul Citizens Health and Social Indicators Survey. Using multiple logistic regression analysis, we examined the effect of socio-demographic status, health behaviours and health status on suicidal ideation in middle-aged adults.


RESULTS
The outstanding finding was that suicidal ideation was most prevalent among middle-aged women who engaged in manual labour (i.e. blue-collar workers) (OR = 2.77, 95% CI = 1.20-6.42). The absence of a spouse was significantly associated with suicidal ideation among middle-aged men (OR = 2.10, 95% CI = 1.30-3.40).


CONCLUSIONS
The effect of enhanced security related to stable employment was strongest among middle-aged women in blue-collar jobs, and the effect of intensive counselling services was strongest among divorced or widowed middle-aged men.
Faculty of Health Administration, Hanyang Women's University, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
Sang-Sik
SS
Moon
Sang-Mi
SM
Park
D000328:Adult; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004651:Employment; D005260:Female; D015438:Health Behavior; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D017533:Marital Status; D008875:Middle Aged; D016017:Odds Ratio; D015995:Prevalence; D056910:Republic of Korea / Q000453:epidemiology; D012307:Risk Factors; D017678:Sex Distribution; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D059020:Suicidal Ideation