COVID-19 유행 상황에서 자살 시도의 세대별 비교

Abstract

Objectives This study aimed to comparatively analyze the demographic characteristics and vari ous other factors influencing those attempting suicide from the younger and older generations during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods The study included subjects who visited the emergency room of the Gachon Univer sity Gil Medical Center in Incheon after attempting to cause self-harm or commit suicide. Of the total of 598 cases, the characteristics of 383 subjects belonging to the younger generation (39 years old or younger) and 215 to the older generation subject (40 years old or older) were retro spectively compared. Results The younger generation subjects who attempted suicide had significantly higher rates of psychiatric disorders such as bipolar disorder and histories of past suicide attempts com pared to the older generation. Those attempting suicide among the younger generation were less planned in their attempts to commit suicide than the older generation, and the authenticity of their suicide attempts was significantly lower. Conclusion The younger generation subjects who attempted suicide were more affected by mental illnesses and more impulsive than those of the older generation, and the authenticity and medical lethality of their suicide attempts were low. An individual-centric intervention strategy for suicide prevention is needed in consideration of these generational characteristics.