Socioeconomic factors associated with suicidal behaviors in South Korea: systematic review on the current state of evidence

Abstract

Background The economic and human costs of suicide to individuals, families, communities, and society make suicide a major public health problem around the world. Suicide rates in South Korea are among the highest in the world. This paper is the first systematic review investigating socioeconomic risk factors for suicidal behaviors (suicidal ideation, attempted suicides, and completed suicides) in South Korea. Methods We performed a systematic review in Medline and Web of Science. Empirical studies and peer-reviewed articles on the association between individual socioeconomic factors and suicidal behaviors have been included. A total of 53 studies were included in a descriptive synthesis. Results Overall, 35 studies focused on the association between individual socioeconomic factors and suicidal ideation, 16 were related to suicide attempts, while 10 addressed completed suicides. Low income, unemployment, and financial difficulties were identified as risk factors for all suicidal behaviors. Working in precarious conditions, long working hours, self-employment, changes in employment status, shift work/night-time work, and occupational stress were associated with an increased risk for suicidal ideation. Low educational attainment appears to increase the risk for suicide attempts and completed suicide, but the significance of educational attainment on the reporting of suicidal ideation could not be verified. The primary studies were unable to ascertain whether the place of residence impacts on suicidal behaviors. Conclusions The results highlight the relevance of socioeconomic factors for suicidal behaviors in South Korea. Governmental social spending must be increased and redirected more efficiently so that the economically most vulnerable groups are financially protected and income inequality does not widen. Furthermore, comprehensive prevention strategies at the community level are needed. Future research needs to focus on identifying vulnerable groups for whom the effects of low socioeconomic status may have particularly serious consequences with regard to suicidal behaviors.

Factors Related to Suicidal Ideation and Prediction of High-Risk Groups among Youngest-Old Adults in South Korea

“…Although suicide rates vary from country to country, suicide among older adults is a global public health issue, as they commit suicide at higher rates than other age groups [ 3 , 4 ]. Notably, South Korea’s suicide rate has ranked high among Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) countries for over ten years [ 5 , 6 ]. In 2020, the suicide rate among older adults was 41.7 per 100,000 people in South Korea [ 7 ].…”

Psychiatric and Psychosocial Factors of Suicide Decedents and Survivor of Suicide Loss: Psychological Autopsy Study of Incheon City in South Korea

“…In addition, there is a significant correlation in which suicidal thoughts become stronger as financial difficulties increase [45]. As economic difficulties are common stressors for suicide deaths, it is necessary to establish a stronger social safety net for vulnerable groups to cope with Korea's socioeconomic polarization and welfare blind spots [46,47]. Quantitative analysis, such as statistical data alone, makes it difficult to grasp the risk factors for suicide and the personal meaning of people who took their own life.…”

Relationship between parental psychological control and suicide ideation in Chinese adolescents: Chained mediation through resilience and maladjustment problems

“…Second, the focus of this study was limited to PPC. Some studies have suggested that other family factors, such as parental warmth ( Li et al, 2016 ) and family socioeconomic status ( Raschke et al, 2022 ), might be strongly associated with suicide risk. Future studies should also consider these variables.…”