A Study of Psychosocial Factor Affecting Attitude Toward Suicide of Adult Male and Female Inhabiting in a Province

Lee, Wook; Jang, Seung Ho; Rho, Seung Ho; Lee, Hye Jin; Lee, Seul Bi; Lee, Sang Yeol

Abstract

BACKGROUND
Individual attitudes toward suicide are known to markedly influence suicidal ideation and suicidal behavior. Therefore, this study aimed to determine the factors associated with attitudes toward suicide.
METHODS
This study was conducted on 3,213 adult men and women living in a province of Korea. After excluding 281 participants because of unreliable responses, the remaining 2,932 were included in the data analysis. Demographic factors were investigated, and psychological factors were evaluated. Attitudes toward suicide were evaluated using the Attitudes Towards Suicide-20, physical symptoms were evaluated using the Patient Health Questionnaire-15 (PHQ-15), self-compassion was evaluated using the Korean Self-Compassion Scale, and stress was evaluated using the Global Assessment of Recent Stress (GARS) scale. One-way analysis of variance was used to examine the psychological characteristics of attitudes toward suicide.
RESULTS
Differences in various factors based on demographic characteristics were observed regarding attitudes toward suicide. Significant differences in attitudes toward suicide were observed based on severity of suicide, acceptability (F=20.332, p<0.001), prevention of suicide (F=7.700, p<0.001), and universality (F=13.741, p<0.001). The duration of suicidal ideation, self-kindness, self-judgment, common humanity, isolation, and over-identification showed differences, as did the GARS and PHQ-15 scores.
CONCLUSION
This study explored the demographic and psychological factors affecting attitudes toward suicide. Adequate mediation of these factors is needed to prevent suicidal ideation and behavior.