Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health

Boyoung Nam

1 Article

The Moderating Effect of Gender on the Relationship Between Self-neglect and Suicidal Ideation in Older Adults of Korea: Kyuhyoung Jeong, Daeyeon Jang, Boyoung Nam, Soyoung Kwon, Eunsol Seo; J Prev Med Public Health. 2022;55(5):436-443. Published online August 3, 2022; DOI: https://doi.org/10.3961/jpmph.22.083

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Objectives
Previous studies have reported that self-neglect, which may be a sign of elder abuse, can result in suicide among older adults. The signs of self-neglect and its impact on the risk of suicide may differ by gender. Thus, this study explored the association between self-neglect and suicide risk in older Korean adults and examined the potential moderating effect of gender on this relationship.
Methods
Data were collected from 356 Korean adults aged 65 or older through an online survey. Multiple regression analysis was used to test the research hypothesis. First, the associations between 4 sub-dimensions of self-neglect (i.e., daily life management issues, personal hygiene issues, financial management issues, and relational issues) and suicidal ideation were examined. Then, the moderating effect of gender on these relationships was investigated by including interaction terms.
Results
Self-neglect was significantly associated with suicidal ideation in older adults. Aspects of self-neglect related to daily life management and relational factors were key predictors of suicidal ideation. Gender significantly moderated the effect of the relational dimension of self-neglect on suicidal ideation. The relational dimension of self-neglect was more strongly associated with suicidal ideation in older women than in older men.
Conclusions
The findings suggest the importance of screening older adults with signs of self-neglect for suicide risk. Special attention should be paid to older women who experience relational issues as a high-risk group for suicidal ideation. Public programs and support systems should be established to improve daily life management and promote social relationships among older adults.

Summary

Korean summary
본 연구는 노인의 자기방임과 자살생각의 관계에서 성별의 조절효과를 검증하는 데에 목적이 있다. 연구결과를 토대로 성별에 따른 노인의 자살위험 영향요인을 고려한 정책 개입의 필요성과 사회적 고립 완화를 위한 프로그램 도입 등을 제안하였다.

Citations

Citations to this article as recorded by

Subgroups of self-neglect and effects on suicidal ideation among the older adults
Hyun Lee, Eunjin Lee
Development and Psychopathology.2023; : 1. CrossRef

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