Profiles of suicide reasons and their associations with suicide-related behaviour in South Korea.

BACKGROUND

This study aims to classify suicide decedents in South Korea into distinct groups based on their reasons for suicide and examine differences in suicide-related behaviours.

METHODS

Data from a Korean suicide decedent investigation involving 102,593 individuals (2013-2020) were analysed. A latent class analysis was used to identify distinct subgroups based on eight suicide reasons (diagnosed mental illness, mental illness symptoms, physical disability, physical illness, interpersonal problems, family-related problems, economic problems, and work-related problems). Multivariate logistic regression analysis was conducted to examine associations between suicide-related behaviours and the latent classes.

RESULTS

Four distinct classes with varying patterns of suicide reasons were identified. Class 1 (18.9 %) was marked by mental health concerns, with nearly all individuals diagnosed with mental illness. Individuals in Class 1 had more previous suicide attempts. Class 2 (17.0 %) was characterised by physical health issues, with 100 % having physical illnesses and 56.0 % showing mental illness symptoms. Class 3 decedents (41.6 %) faced economic and social challenges, including economic and work-related difficulties, along with symptoms of mental illness in all decedents. In Class 4 (22.5 %), decedents also experienced economic and work-related issues, but no mental illness symptoms. Both Classes 3 and 4 were more likely to engage in alcohol use, leave suicide notes, and use gas poisoning. Class 4, particularly, showed less suicide intent disclosure but greater involvement in suicide pacts.

CONCLUSION

Our findings highlight the need for multifaceted prevention strategies, including whole-society engagement within and beyond health sectors, to address the complex interactions of multiple factors.