한국 초등학생들의 자살 생각 관련 요인

Suicidal Ideation and Associated Factors among Korean Elementary School Students

제주지역 초등학생에서 자살 사고를 경험한 비율은 29.2%로 조사되었다. 초등학생의 경우 우울 증상과 가족 환경적 요소가 자살 사고와 밀접한 관련성을 보였다. 본 연구 결과는 부모의 지지, 양육 태도, 부모자녀 간 의사소통 등의 가족 관련 요인들을 평가하는 것이 초등학생의 자살 잠재 가능성을 명료화하는 데 도움이 될 것임을 시사한다. 또, 초등학생 자살 문제의 예방과 치료를 위해서는 우울과 같은 심리적 요인뿐 아니라 부모 상담 및 가족 치료 등을 통해 가족 내 갈등을 줄이고 양육 태도 및 의사소통방식의 개선하는 등의 보다 포괄적인 접근이 필요할 것이다.

Objective This study evaluated the occurrence and associated factors with self-reported suicidal ideation within the last 12 months among Korean elementary school students. Methods In a school-based cross-sectional survey, a total of 657 students were recruited from elementary schools (age range: 11-12 years) in Jeju area. They filled out self-completing questionnaires on suicidality (suicidal ideation and suicidal attempt), depression (Kovacs' Children's Depression Inventory), and sociodemographic characteristics, including school and family factors. Results A total of 192 (29.2%) students reported suicidal ideation, and the rate of suicidal attempt was 6.1% (n=40). Logistic regression analysis identified factors associated with recent suicidal ideation. Female had higher rates of suicidal ideation than male [odds ratio (OR)=1.81, p=0.005], and students with depression (OR=3.23, p<0.001) and experience of abuse in the home (OR=6.77, p<0.001) were at high risk for suicidal ideation. Conclusion These results suggest that suicidal ideation and actions are relatively common in Korean elementary school students, and have implications for prevention and intervention.