Factors of Affecting Suicidal Ideation in Elders Living in own Home

Park, Youngrye; Wee, Hwee

Abstract

PURPOSE
The aim of this study was to investigate factors affecting suicidal ideation in elders who lived in their own home.
METHODS
A correlative research design was used. Survey was conducted in Jeonbuk province in Korea. Data were collected from July 1 to 30, 2013. Descriptive statistics, Pearson correlation coefficients, and multiple regressions with SPSS 18.0 program were used for data analysis.
RESULTS
The major findings are summarized as follows: (1) Meaning in life had a positive relation to gratitude and a negative relation to depression and suicidal ideation. Gratitude had a negative relation to depression and suicidal ideation. Depression had a significantly positive relation to suicidal ideation. (2) The significant factors affecting suicidal ideation were depression, residential area, subjective economic level, and subjective health status which together explained 36% of the variance. The results indicate that depression was a significant factor associated with suicidal ideation among elders.
CONCLUSION
In order to decrease suicidal ideation among elders, active intervention for depression is needed. Nurses should consider individual conditions of the client - residential area, subjective economic level, and subjective health status. Also nurses should consider mental, as well as physical health when caring for elders.