The Structural Relationships among Depression, Hopelessness and Suicidal Ideation in the Elderly
AUTHOR : 강난미,정현희
INFORMATION : page. 37~54 / 2014 Vol.21 No.2
ABSTRACT
This study aimed at examining the structural relationship in which depression and hopelessness affected
suicidal ideation among the elderly. A total of 271 senior citizens (over the age of 60) inhabiting D city
and K province participated in the present study. The measures included the Geriatric Depression Scale,
Beck Hopelessness Scale, and the Scale for Suicide Ideation. Based on previous research, a full/partial
mediator model with depression as a mediating variable and the full/partial mediator model with
hopelessness as a mediating variable were constructed. Hypothesized models were tested respectively in
order to investigate which model best explained the relationship among the three variables. The collected
data was analyzed with SPSS 18.0 and AMOS 18.0 and structure equation model analysis was then
conducted. When the validity of the pathway was analyzed, the model with depression as a full mediator
was adopted. Therefore, the significance of depression as a mediating variable between hopelessness and
suicidal ideation was relevant. The significance of this study lies in the fact that it validates the pathway
in which depression and hopelessness develop and affect suicidal ideation. The results suggest that early
intervention and the specialized treatment for depression are necessary in preventing suicidal ideation
amongst the elderly.