Profiles of suicide reasons and their associations with suicide-related behaviour in South Korea

Background: This study aims to classify suicide decedents in South Korea into distinct groups based on their reasons for suicide and examine differences in suicide-related behaviours. Methods: Data from a Korean suicide decedent investigation involving 102,593 individuals (2013-2020) were analysed. A latent class analysis was used to identify distinct subgroups based on eight suicide reasons (diagnosed mental illness, mental illness symptoms, physical disability, physical illness, interpersonal problems, family-related problems, economic problems, and work-related problems). Multivariate logistic regression analysis was conducted to examine associations between suicide-related behaviours and the latent classes. Results: Four distinct classes with varying patterns of suicide reasons were identified. Class 1 (18.9 %) was marked by mental health concerns, with nearly all individuals diagnosed with mental illness. Individuals in Class 1 had more previous suicide attempts. Class 2 (17.0 %) was characterised by physical health issues, with 100 % having physical illnesses and 56.0 % showing mental illness symptoms. Class 3 decedents (41.6 %) faced economic and social challenges, including economic and work-related difficulties, along with symptoms of mental illness in all decedents. In Class 4 (22.5 %), decedents also experienced economic and work-related issues, but no mental illness symptoms. Both Classes 3 and 4 were more likely to engage in alcohol use, leave suicide notes, and use gas poisoning. Class 4, particularly, showed less suicide intent disclosure but greater involvement in suicide pacts. Conclusion: Our findings highlight the need for multifaceted prevention strategies, including whole-society engagement within and beyond health sectors, to address the complex interactions of multiple factors.