Psychosocial characteristics of suicide deaths by regional types in Korea: An analysis based on population inflow and...

This study aims to investigate the psychosocial characteristics of suicide deaths in Korea according to population inflow and outflow, and to identify high-risk suicide groups by regional type in order to establish tailored suicide prevention plans for each region.

The analysis included 4193 suicide deaths from four regional types in Korea. The data source was a comprehensive survey of suicide deaths through police investigation records from the Korean government. The analysis involved collecting demographic variables, suicide-related variables, and stress variables at the time of death for suicide deaths in each region and conducting cross-analysis and multinomial logistic regression analysis.

Across all regions, factors such as male gender, unemployment, hanging in one's own home, and mental health problems were prevalent. However, in population-inflow urban areas, early-middle age and economic problems were higher, in population-outflow urban areas, late-middle age and economic problems were more prominent. Additionally, in both inflow and outflow rural areas, there was a relatively higher proportion of old age and physical health problems.

This study is significant for confirming common and specific factors influencing suicide in each region, and for proposing considerations when formulating tailored suicide prevention plans for local communities.