Abstract

Objectives: The objective of this study was to identify the factors associated with suicidal ideation among the elderly living alone received the elderly care service in a rural area. Methods: This study was surveyed 206 the elderly living alone who received the elderly care service in G-gun, Jeollanamdo. The collected data were socio-demographic and health-related characteristics, family support and suicidal ideation. The used methods for statistical analysis were used t-test, analysis of variance, Pearson's correlational analysis and the multiple logistic regression analysis. Results: In univariate analysis, the suicidal ideation of the elderly living alone was statistically significant associated with age, monthly income, sufficiency of sleeping, depression, stress, activities of daily living, instrumental activities of daily living, perceived health status and family support. As a result of multiple regression analysis, the associated factors with suicidal ideation were age, depression, stress and the activities of daily living. Conclusions: The suicidal ideation of the elderly living alone in the rural area was associated with age, mental health and independency of living. It will be needed the multidisciplinary approaches to prevent the suicidal ideation and attempts of the elderly living alone.

본 연구는 농촌지역 독거노인을 대상으로 자살생각을 파악하고 자살생각에 영향을 주는 요인을 구명하고자 시행하였다. 연구대상자는 전라남도 G군에 거주하는 노인돌봄서비스를 제공받는 독거노인 206명을 대상으로 사회 인구학적 특성, 건강관련 특성, 가족지지와 자살생각과의 영향을 미치는 요인들을 살펴보기 위해 t-검정과 분산분석 그리고 상관분석을 이용하였고, 자살생각에 영향을 미치는 요인을 파악하기 위해 다중회귀분석을 실시하였다. 그 결과 사회인구학적인 특성에서는 연령이 65-74세가 75-84세(${\beta}$=-.181, p=.029)보다 자살생각을 많이 하며 유의하였다. 건강관련특성은 신체적 건강관련요인으로 우울(${\beta}$=.269, p<0.001)과 스트레스의 정도(${\beta}$=.211, p=.005)가 높을수록 자살생각을 많이 하는 것으로 나타났고 유의하였으며, 신체적 건강관련요인으로 일상생활동작(${\beta}$=.228, p=.003)이 자살생각과 유의한 관련이 있었다.

Keywords

• Activities of Daily Living;
• Aged;
• Depression;
• Stress;
• Suicidal ideation