Abstract

Based on Joiner’s Interpersonal Theory of Suicide(IPTS), this study attempted to determine whether thwarted belongingness, perceived burdensomeness, and acquired suicide potential had a moderating effect on suicide ideations and suicide attmepts. To this end, a survey was conducted on 260 elderly people over the age of 65 in Seoul, Gyeonggi-do, Gyeonsan-do, and other regions of Korea. A total of 254 copies were analyzed after excluding 6 questionnaires that did not meet the age criteria. IBM SPSS Statistics 23.0 and SPSS PROCESS Macro ver 2.16 were used for data analysis. Results are as follows. First, sub-variables of IPTS such as thwarted belongingness, perceived burdensomeness, and acquired suicidal capability all showed a direct effect on suicidal ideation. On the other hand, only acquired suicidal capability had a direct effect on suicide attempt. Second, the meaning in life showed a moderating effect on relationships of thwarted belongingness, perceived burdensomeness, and acquired suicidal capability with suicidal idation. Finally, the relationship between thwarted belongingness and perceived burdensomeness did not have a moderating effect on the meaning in life, although the meaning in life had a moderating effect on the relationship between acquried suicide capability and suicide attmept. Based on these results, risk factors and mechanisms that effect suicide ideation and suicide attempts of the elderly were identified. In addtiona, by confirming a moderating effect of the meaning in life, the purpose of this study was to provide basic data for preparing specific interventions that could reduce suicidal ideation and suicide attmepts in the elderly.