Factors associated with thoughts of death and suicidal ideation owing to human relations, health, and financial problems in community-dwelling residents of a rural town in Japan

Abstract

Abstract Objective To identify factors associated with thoughts of death and suicidal ideation among rural residents in Japan. Methods In 2015, a cross-sectional home visit survey was conducted in a rural town in Akita Prefecture. A total of 1,844 residents aged ≥ 20 years answered a questionnaire about thoughts of death and suicidal ideation in the past month. Multivariate logistic regression analyses were used to investigate socioenvironmental factors associated with suicidal ideation in models according to accompanying reasons for human relations problems (HRP), health problems (HP), and financial problems (FP). Results In total, 218 (men 9.4%, women 13.8%) had thoughts of death and suicidal ideation with accompanying reasons for HRP (5.6%), HP (6.1%), and FP (3.9%). The risk factors were Kessler Psychological Distress Scale scores ≥ 9 in models with HRP, HP, and FP or without no accompanying reasons; being a woman in models of HP and FP or without accompanying reasons; current smoking without accompanying reasons; absence of a person for help in a model of FP; absence of family member for help in a model of HRP or without accompanying reasons; and absence of social network and cohesion in a model of HRP. The mitigating factor were being optimistic in models of HRP, and HP or without accompanying reasons; being aged 70–79 in models of HRP and HP; and being aged ≥ 80 in a model of HRP. Conclusions Thoughts about death and suicidal ideation among rural residents in Japan were associated with multifactorial and socio-environmental factors.