J Korean Neuropsychiatr Assoc.  2022 Nov;61(4):291-296. 10.4306/jknpa.2022.61.4.291.

Comparison of Suicide Attempt by Generation During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Focusing on the Younger Generation

• Park ER
• Kang JM
• Chae H
• Lim YS
• Kang SG
• Na KS
• Cho SE
• Cho SJ

• KMID: 2536669
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.4306/jknpa.2022.61.4.291

Abstract

Objectives
This study aimed to comparatively analyze the demographic characteristics and various other factors influencing those attempting suicide from the younger and older generations during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Methods
The study included subjects who visited the emergency room of the Gachon University Gil Medical Center in Incheon after attempting to cause self-harm or commit suicide. Of the total of 598 cases, the characteristics of 383 subjects belonging to the younger generation (39 years old or younger) and 215 to the older generation subject (40 years old or older) were retrospectively compared.
Results
The younger generation subjects who attempted suicide had significantly higher rates of psychiatric disorders such as bipolar disorder and histories of past suicide attempts compared to the older generation. Those attempting suicide among the younger generation were less planned in their attempts to commit suicide than the older generation, and the authenticity of their suicide attempts was significantly lower.
Conclusion
The younger generation subjects who attempted suicide were more affected by mental illnesses and more impulsive than those of the older generation, and the authenticity and medical lethality of their suicide attempts were low. An individual-centric intervention strategy for suicide prevention is needed in consideration of these generational characteristics.

Keyword

COVID-19 pandemic; The younger generation; The older generation; Suicide attempt; Risk factors