Suicidal ideation and associated factors by sex in Korean adults: A population-based cross-sectional survey

Objective: This study investigates suicidal ideation and its associated factors by sex in Korean adults, focusing on health behaviors and health status. Methods: Cross-sectional data of 6,969 adults (25-64 years) who completed the Fourth Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey were analyzed. Results: In both sexes, those who were married, had higher educational attainment or were non-smokers experienced low stress and had good self-rated health showed lower suicidal ideation. Significant factors were age for men and subjective body image and sleep time for women. In men, those aged 45-54 years showed the highest suicidal ideation rate. The effects of stress and depression on suicidal ideation were higher in men than in women. Conclusions: The development of a suicide prevention program for Korean adults requires different approaches for each sex. For working men aged 45-54 years, it should focus on the management of work-related stress and depression. For women, it should be a community support program for those who are less educated, have no job or experience a great deal of stress and depression.