The Lower the Income and the Tighter the Budget, the More Likely to Fall into Extreme Choices

Korea University Medical School Preventive Medicine Research Team
'Economic Factors and Suicide Ideation Study'

A study found that people with low income levels and who view their future economic situation negatively are nine times more likely to have persistent suicidal thoughts.

Researcher Lee Yohan and his team from the Department of Preventive Medicine at Korea University College of Medicine conducted an eight-year follow-up survey of 10,017 adults aged 20 and over. Among all participants, about 14% responded that they had experienced suicidal thoughts at least once during this period. Of these, 6% were found to have persistent suicidal thoughts.

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The persistence of suicidal thoughts was found to be greatly influenced by economic factors: ▲whether one is economically active ▲household income ▲and one’s perception of their future economic status.

In particular, it was confirmed that ▲those who are not economically active, ▲those with low household income, and ▲those who view their future economic status negatively are at higher risk of persistent suicidal thoughts.

This study indicates that the persistence of suicidal thoughts is highly related to economic factors. Especially, it shows that the risk of suicidal thoughts varies depending on how individuals perceive their own economic outlook.

When income is low and future economic status is viewed negatively, the risk of persistent suicidal thoughts increased by 9.2 times.

Professor Lee Yohan pointed out, "Our society, having experienced rapid growth alongside economic crises, has a strong desire for wealth and high standards for wealth. In situations where economic growth slows and inequality increases, the likelihood of negatively perceiving one’s future economic status can become even higher."

He also advised, "This atmosphere can increase the persistence of suicidal thoughts and the risk of suicide deaths. Therefore, our society should not only support individuals facing economic difficulties but also provide psychological and social support to address these issues together."

This study was published under the title "Trajectories of Suicidal Thoughts and Socioeconomic Predictors" in the latest issue of the international journal in social medicine, Social Science & Medicine.

Last year, Professor Lee Yohan’s team also published research showing that divorced men aged 25?34 who are not economically active have a 17.5 times higher risk of making extreme choices.

※ If you have difficult concerns such as depression or know family or acquaintances facing such difficulties, you can receive 24-hour expert counseling through the Suicide Prevention Hotline ☎1393, Mental Health Counseling Hotline ☎1577-0199, Lifeline ☎1588-9191, Youth Hotline ☎1388, the youth mobile counseling app 'Da Deureojul Gae,' KakaoTalk, and other services.