Korean J Fam Med.  2017 Jul;38(4):213-219. 10.4082/kjfm.2017.38.4.213.

The Mediating Role of Parental Support in the Relationship between Life Stress and Suicidal Ideation among Middle School Students

• Kang BH
• Kang JH
• Park HA
• Cho YG
• Hur YI
• Sim WY
• Byeon GR
• Kim K

• KMID: 2390342
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.4082/kjfm.2017.38.4.213

Abstract

BACKGROUND
Youth suicide is increasingly being recognized as a major social problem in South Korea. In this study, we aimed to explore the effects of parental support on the relationship between life stress and suicidal ideation among middle-school students.
METHODS
This study analyzed data from a cross-sectional study on mental health conducted by the South Korea National Youth Policy Institute between May and July of 2013. Questionnaire responses from 3,007 middle-school students regarding stress factors, thoughts of suicide during the past year, and parental support were analyzed in terms of 3 subscale elements: emotional, academic, and financial support.
RESULTS
Among the participants, 234 male students (7.8%) and 476 female students (15.8%) reported experiencing suicidal ideation in the past year. Life stress significantly influenced suicidal ideation (P<0.001), and parental support and all of the subscale elements had a significant influence on decreasing suicidal ideation. As shown in model 1, life stress increased suicidal ideation (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 1.318; P<0.001), and, in model 2, the effect of life stress on suicidal ideation decreased with parental support (aOR, 1.238; P<0.001).
CONCLUSION
Parental support was independently related to a decrease in suicidal ideation, and life stress was independently related to an increase in suicidal ideation. Parental support buffered the relationship between life stress and suicidal ideation.

Keyword

Stress, Psychological; Parent-Child Relations; Suicidal Ideation; Social Support; Adolescent

MeSH Terms

Adolescent
Cross-Sectional Studies
Female
Financial Support
Humans
Korea
Male
Mental Health
Negotiating*
Odds Ratio
Parent-Child Relations
Parents*
Social Problems
Stress, Psychological*
Suicidal Ideation*
Suicide