Factors Influencing Suicidal Ideation in Korean Female Adolescents with Sexual Intercourse Experience

Suicide rate in South Korea is the highest among Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development countries. Particularly it is a major public health concern among adolescents. We investigated the factors affecting suicidal ideation among female Korean adolescents who had experienced sexual intercourse.

This study was a secondary data analysis using the 18th Korea Youth Risk Behavior Survey, conducted using a complex sampling design in 2022. A complex sample multiple logistic regression was performed to analyze data of 1,166 female students who had experienced sexual intercourse.

Among the general characteristics, significant differences in suicidal ideation depending on grade, household income, living with family, academic achievement, and allergic dermatitis were observed (P<0.05). Additionally, the factors significantly associated with suicidal ideation were contraceptive use, mental health (generalized anxiety disorder, depressive symptoms, loneliness, and stress), current smoking, drinking, insufficient sleep, and insufficient breakfast consumption (P<0.05). Multiple logistic regression analysis revealed that the factors affecting suicidal ideation were generalized anxiety disorder, perceived stress, loneliness, depressive symptom, and smartphone addiction.

For female adolescents with sexual experience, negative mental health and smartphone addiction needed to be managed to reduce suicidal ideation.