Keywords

aged, living alone, suicide

 

Authors

  1. Kim, Ok Sun RN, MA
  2. Yoon, Hee Sook RN, MA
  3. Park, Hyon Shin RN, MA
  4. Sok, Sohyune R. PhD, RN

Abstract

This study was designed to examine the factors influencing suicide ideation among older adults living alone in Korea. This was a cross-sectional descriptive design. The study sample consisted of 224 older adults living alone in 2 metropolitan cities in Korea. Measures included the Geriatric Depression Scale Short Form Korea Version, the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support, and the Suicide Ideation Scale. Data were analyzed by SPSS PC+ version 21.0: descriptive statistics, Pearson correlation coefficient, and multiple regression. The analyses showed an explanatory power of 38.1% in the prediction model (F = 8.386, P < .001). The factor with the greatest influence on suicide ideation was depression ([beta] = .395), followed by perceived health state ([beta] = -.198), faith ([beta] = -.175), economic state ([beta] = -.156), and social support ([beta] = -.145). The study shows that suicide ideation among older Korean adults living alone is related to depression, perceived health state, faith, economic state, and social support. Thus, it is necessary to develop programs that create multilateral approaches to reduce depression and improve perceived health state, faith, economic state, and social support in actual nursing environments.