A Study on Factors Affecting the Elderly Suicidal Ideation in Korea

The suicide rate in the elderly is continually increasing. Effective suicide prevention requires that factors affecting suicidal ideation are specifically identified and personalized intervention programs are developed. This study aimed to identify the influencing factors of suicidal ideation in Korean elderly. The data of the 2012 Korean National Health & Nutrition Examination Survey was analyzed by using the SPSS program. Frequency, percentile, Chi-square test, multiple logistic regression were used. The influencing factors of suicidal ideation were education, income, exercise, perceived stress and depression. The Odds Ratio of the depression was 5.68 and the Odds Ratio of the perceived stress was 3.45. This study suggested that elderly suicidal prevention programs should be developed in preventing an