Factors affecting suicidal ideation among premenopausal and postmenopausal women
Authors: Kim Go‐Un , Son Hae Kyoung , Kim Mi‐Young 
Published: August 2020

Accessible summary

What is known on the subject?

Pre‐ and postmenopausal women (PPW) experience changes in physical, psychological and social health. South‐East Asia’s female suicide rate is the highest compared with other countries, and the suicide rate of PPW in these countries continues to increase.

The most influential factor in Asian women’s suicidal ideation is family conflict; specifically, if PPW in South Korea cannot express their anger, it results in a culture‐bound syndrome called “Hwa‐Byung.” However, there is a lack of research on Asian PPW.

What the paper adds to existing knowledge?

This study found differences in individual‐ and community‐level factors affecting suicidal ideation between pre‐ and postmenopausal women.

Individual factors that commonly affected suicidal ideation were experiencing violence, stress and depression. Individual factors that affected the suicidal ideation of premenopausal women more than postmenopausal women were religious beliefs, alcohol use and chronic disease.

Community level factors affecting suicidal ideation were locational depression and locational counselling for stress in premenopausal women and locational counselling for depression in postmenopausal women.

What are the implications for practice?

Mental health nurses could help prevent suicide by developing and applying community‐based programmes for PPW, considering the specific socio‐economic and cultural context and characteristics of Asian women.

Mental health nurses could help PPW participate in programmes by preparing various interventions such as case management, personal counselling, physical activity, home‐based mental health services, cognitive behavioural therapy and digital interventions for self‐management.

Mental health nurses need to prepare various methods such as online, offline, individual and group methods to work effectively in any social situation.

Introduction

Pre‐ and postmenopausal women (PPW) experience physical and psychological changes with hormonal changes. Among Asian middle‐aged women, family and culture affect suicidal ideation, and the suicide rate among this population is increasing. There are few existing research on suicidal ideation among Asian PPW.

Aim

We examined individual‐ and community‐level factors that predict suicidal ideation among PPW.

Method

Large‐scale panel data from 5,154 South Korean PPW aged 35–64 years were used in a series of multilevel logistic regression analyses to examine factors associated with suicidal ideation at individual and community levels.

Results

Among premenopausal women, religious beliefs, alcohol use, chronic disease, experience of violence, stress and depression were individual‐level factors. Locational depression and locational counselling for stress were community‐level factors. Among postmenopausal women, experience of violence, stress, depression and perceived health status were individual level factors, and locational counselling for depression was a community level factor.

Discussion

Suicidal ideation among PPW is affected by both individual and community level factors. Nurses must comprehensively determine what risk factors affect suicidal ideation through various intervention methods—including online, offline, individual and group methods—while considering socio‐economic situations.

Implications for Practice

Mental health nurses should provide targeted biopsychosocial interventions targeting psychosocial and physical problems and promoting the use of community resources to reduce PPW’s suicidal ideation.