치매노인의 우울과 자살의도

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to identify the depression and suicidal ideation of the elderly with dementia and to investigate the correlation between them and factors influencing on suicidal ideation. The subjects were 298 the elderly people with dementia over 65 years under the Long Term Care Insurance whose MMSE-KC score was 15 to 23. Data collection from February to March, 2011. The instruments were the Geriatric Depression Scale Short-form Korea developed by Sheikh & Yesavage (1986) and translated by Kee (1996), and the suicide ideation scale developed by Harlow, et al, (1986) and translated by Kim (2002). Data were analyzed by using frequency, means, Chi-square, t-test, Duncan test, ANOVA, Pearson correlation coefficients, and stepwise multiple regression with SPSS Win 18.0 version.

The results of this study were as follows: 1. The mean score of elderly depression was 8.64. Of the subjects 86.2% experienced depression. Subjects in moderate depression status were 54.7% and in severe depression status was 31.5%. 2. The mean score of suicidal ideation for elderly with dementia was 5.70. 3. In the general characteristics of the elderly with dementia, depression was significantly different by experience of their family' or significant persons' death (t=-2.02, p=.045), perceived economic status (F=7.08, p=.001), and activities of daily living (t=2.01, p=.045). 4. In the general characteristics of the elderly with dementia, suicidal ideation was significantly different by present location for care (t=-3.61, p<.001), the number of comorbidities (F=4.00, p=.008), whether or not attempting suicide (t=5.48, p<.001), and activities of daily living (t=2.05, p=.041). 5. Correlations were observed between depression and suicidal ideation (r=.51, p<.001). 6. From the results of this study, four specific factors influencing on the suicidal ideation emerged: depression, suicidal attempt experience, present location for care, and activities of the daily living. These factors explained 35.8% of suicidal ideation. The depression explained 25.2% as a major factor of suicidal ideation.

Based on these findings, the followings might be suggested: 1. Further research will be needed to investigate depression and suicidal ideation level of the elderly with dementia. 2. Comparative study is required to examine suicidal ideation between two elderly groups with and without dementia. 3. It is necessary to develop management program for depression, suicidal attempt experience, present location for care, and activities of the daily living influencing suicidal ideation.