Psychiatry Investigation
Volume 14, Issue 6, 2017, Pages 762-769

Gender differences in suicidal ideation and related factors among North Korean refugees in South Korea (Article) (Open Access)

Noh J.-W. , Park H. , Kwon Y.D. , Kim I.H. , Lee Y.H. , Kim Y.J. , Kim S.G.*
  • a Department of Healthcare Management, Institute of Global Healthcare Research, Eulji University, Seongnam, South Korea
  • b Department of Healthcare Management, Eulji University, Seongnam, South Korea
  • c Department of Humanities and Social Medicine, College of Medicine, Catholic Institute for Healthcare Management, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, South Korea
  • d Department of Healthcare Management, Eulji University, Seongnam, South Korea
  • e Department of Public Healthcare Services, Seoul Bukbu Hospital, Seoul, South Korea
  • f Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Department of Internal Medicine, Hallym University Hangang Sacred Heart Hospital, Seoul, South Korea
  • g Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Department of Internal Medicine, Korea University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea

Abstract

Objective According to previous social survey, a high number of North Korean refugees (NKRs) in South Korea had suicidal ideation. The purpose of this study is to examine the related factors for suicidal ideation among NKRs by gender in South Korea. Methods We examined the sample of NKRs, 701 subjects (men=160, women=-541) residing in South Korea, the participants were enrolled from October 2008 to May 2014. The related factors with suicidal ideation in NKRs were analyzed via a logistic regression analysis. Results Refugee women were more likely to have suicidal ideation than men were. Although thoughts of suicide do not necessarily mean that they will follow through, however, there is an association that the higher rate of suicide also results in a higher rate of attempted suicide. In both genders, they tended to think more frequently about suicide who had stayed in South Korea for more than 5 years. In addition, higher frequencies of suicidal ideation also associated with higher level of perceived stress in both genders. Conclusion The gender difference should be addressed when designing suicide prevention interventions among the North Korean population in South Korea. © 2017 Korean Neuropsychiatric Association.

Author Keywords

Suicidal ideation Gender differences North Korean refugees

Index Keywords

male controlled study sex difference female South Korea depression comparative study major clinical study refugee chronic disease logistic regression analysis body mass prevalence medical examination Article human suicidal ideation
Link
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-85034232699&doi=10.4306%2fpi.2017.14.6.762&partnerID=40&md5=553947011291c1c1fad19ad700bdfa4c
DOI: 10.4306/pi.2017.14.6.762
ISSN: 17383684
Cited by: 1
Original Language: English