Factors of Affecting Suicidal Ideation in Elders Living in own Home / 정신간호학회지

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to investigate factors affecting suicidal ideation in elders who lived in their own home. METHODS: A correlative research design was used. Survey was conducted in Jeonbuk province in Korea. Data were collected from July 1 to 30, 2013. Descriptive statistics, Pearson correlation coefficients, and multiple regressions with SPSS 18.0 program were used for data analysis. RESULTS: The major findings are summarized as follows (1) Meaning in life had a positive relation to gratitude and a negative relation to depression and suicidal ideation. Gratitude had a negative relation to depression and suicidal ideation. Depression had a significantly positive relation to suicidal ideation. (2) The significant factors affecting suicidal ideation were depression, residential area, subjective economic level, and subjective health status which together explained 36% of the variance. The results indicate that depression was a significant factor associated with suicidal ideation among elders. CONCLUSION: In order to decrease suicidal ideation among elders, active intervention for depression is needed. Nurses should consider individual conditions of the client - residential area, subjective economic level, and subjective health status. Also nurses should consider mental, as well as physical health when caring for elders.