Maeng Je Cho

Objective This study aimed to examine how marital status, occupational status, and individual personality influence suicidal ideation and suicide attempts among Korean middle-aged adults, and explore the effects of their interaction.Methods A total of 2,464 middle-aged adults were surveyed about suicidality in the past year (1-year suicidality). Participants’ current marital and occupational status, including other demographic and clinical variables were investigated. Personality traits were assessed using the Big Five Inventory. The dependent variable was the presence of 1-year suicidality. Independent variables were current marital and occupational status. Generalized linear model (GLM) analysis was performed to adjust for other covariates.Results The group with 1-year suicidality had significantly lower income. It had a lower proportion of full-time employment, and higher percentages of part-time employment and unemployment. The GLM analysis results showed that marital and occupational status had no significant association with 1-year suicidality. Neuroticism and openness were positively associated with 1-year suicidality, whereas conscientiousness and extraversion had a negative association. Interactions between marital status and neuroticism, conscientiousness, and occupational status were significant.Conclusion Individualized social and psychological interventions for suicide prevention are required according to individual personality traits.

Park JE, et al. J Korean Med Sci. 2019 Oct;34(44):e293. https://doi.org/10.3346/jkms.2019.34.e293

Cho SJ, et al. Psychiatry Investig. 2016 Nov;13(6):595-600. https://doi.org/10.4306/pi.2016.13.6.595

Kim BS, et al. J Korean Med Sci. 2016 Nov;31(11):1814-1821. https://doi.org/10.3346/jkms.2016.31.11.1814

Near-elderly adults go through many changes in socioeconomic status, such as retirement, which may affect their mental health differently according to when they live. We aimed to compare the prevalence of major depressive disorder (MDD) and its changes according to sociodemographic factors using nationally representative surveys of Korean near-elderly adults conducted 10 years apart. Nationwide community samples of individuals aged 55–64 years living in 2001 (n = 1256) and 2011 (n = 1066) were compared. Face-to-face interviews were conducted using the Korean version of the Composite International Diagnostic Interview to diagnose MDD. Sociodemographic data were collected using self-reported questionnaires including questions on employment and economic status. We examined differences in MDD prevalence and its association with sociodemographic factors over time by calculating 2011-to-2001 odds ratios (ORs) using multivariable logistic regression models. Among near-elderly people, MDD tended to be more prevalent in 2011 than in 2001. However, only near-elderly men in 2011 showed a higher risk of MDD compared with those in 2001 (2011-to-2001 OR 4.19), while women did not. The prevalence ratio by gender decreased from 7.04 in 2001 to 2.34 in 2011. Among vulnerable sociodemographic groups, a significant increase in MDD was observed in unemployed men (adjusted OR 8.35), but not in unemployed women or other vulnerable groups. This study provides evidence of a substantial increase in MDD in Korean near-elderly men and suggests that unemployment should be considered as an important correlate of MDD in this group.

Sohn JH, et al. J Korean Neuropsychiatr Assoc. 2015 Nov;54(4):578-586. http://dx.doi.org/10.4306/jknpa.2015.54.4.578

Seong SJ, et al. J Korean Med Sci. 2015 Nov;30(11):1675-1681. https://doi.org/10.3346/jkms.2015.30.11.1675

Park S, et al. Psychiatry Investig. 2015 Apr;12(2):171-176. http://dx.doi.org/10.4306/pi.2015.12.2.171

Cho MJ, et al. Psychiatry Investig. 2015 Apr;12(2):164-170. http://dx.doi.org/10.4306/pi.2015.12.2.164