Latent Subtypes and Characteristics of Suicide Risk Among Korean Adults

We aimed to identify subgroups of suicide risk and their characteristics among Korean adults.

We used data from the National Mental Health Survey of Korea 2021. Participants were 5,511 adults aged 18-79 years. Latent class analysis was conducted to identify patterns of suicide risk using suicidal thoughts, plans, attempts, and self-harm. Sociodemographic and health-related characteristics according to the subtype of suicide risk were compared.

Suicide risk was classified into three latent classes: low suicide risk (89.5%, Class 3 [C3]), high suicidal ideation and low suicidal behavior (8.7%, Class 2 [C2]), and high suicidal thoughts and behavior (1.8%, Class 1 [C1]). Risk factors associated with C1 and C2 were the absence of a spouse, low educational and economic status, and unstable occupational status. C1 and C2 had more physical and psychological problems than did C3. Prevalence of mental disorders and mental health service use were higher in C1 than in C2.

Suicide risk types have different demographic, physical health-related, and mental health-related characteristics. Therefore, a focused and individualized suicide preventive strategy should be implemented.