Factors Affecting the Experience of Suicidal Thoughts Among Korean Adolescents Under Significant Stress: Based on the Korea Youth Risk Behavior Survey

초록

Objectives: The study aims to identify risk factors influencing suicidal thoughts of adolescents experiencing significant stress and depressive symptoms in the Republic of Korea. Methods: The study utilizes the Korea Youth Risk Behavior Survey (KYRBS) data from 2013 to 2022 involving 619,331 nationally representative middle and high school students aged 12-18 years in South Korea. Stratified multicluster sampling was employed. Statistical analyses, including Rao-Scott χ2 tests and multiple logistic regression, were conducted to identify factors associated with suicidal thoughts among them. The variables examined included gender, academic performance, economic status, health perception, dietary habits, physical activity, and violence experience. Result: The study revealed significant associations between suicidal ideation and factors such as gender, city size, school grade, perceived academic performance, perceived economic status, self-perceived health, body image perception, breakfast frequency, sweetened beverage consumption frequency, fast-food consumption frequency, caffeine intake frequency, physically active days, walking days, participating physical education, effort to control weight, sleep satisfaction, alcohol consumption days, smoking days, time spent studying on weekdays, time spent studying on weekends, and violence experience (p < .001). Among those, females with low academic performance, negative perceptions of health, experiencing violence, and fast-food consumption were found to have higher odds of suicidal thoughts. Conclusions: Gender, academic achievement, health perception, fast-food consumption, and experiencing violence emerged as significant risk factors for suicidal thoughts among Korean adolescents facing substantial stress. Findings underscore the importance of tailored interventions and education to promote mental health awareness and prevent adverse outcomes.