Characteristics of Korean Suicide: A Case-control Psychological Autopsy Study

Abstract

The pattern of psychological and clinical risk factors for suicide among Korean population is an important issue. This study aimed to identify the risk factor characteristics for Korean suicides. This case-control psychological autopsy (PA) study compared 56 suicide deceased with 36 living controls matched by age and gender. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with family members, cohabitants, and the next of kin of the subjects. Data were collected on a wide range of potential risk and protective factors, including demographic, life event, clinical and psychological variables. The relative contribution of these factors to suicide was examined using a binary logistic regression model. As a result, several factors were found to significantly and independently contribute to suicide: adjustment to work and school, trusting people, problem with cohabitants, unhappiness in childhood, history of past suicide attempts, psychiatric illness, psychological stress from life events, and difficulties with life in the aspect of object and duration. Though both case group and control group have life events and difficulties such as financial problem, relationship conflicts, and so on over the ratio of 90%, the level of stress in the case groups was significantly much more severe. Besides, psychological strain was found to play an important role in suicide. Risk factors for suicide in Korea are definitely similar to those in the West, China, and Japan.