The Impact of Cultural Factors on Suicide Stigma: A Korean Cultural Perspectives

• In Event: ICA Interactive Paper/Poster Session II
  In Interactive Poster Session: Health Communication Interactive Poster Session

Abstract

The suicide rate in South Korea continues to be the highest among member countries of the OECD. Despite the high rate, most Koreans tend to perceive suicide as something unrelated to them or a problem for someone else. Stigma surrounding suicide is associated with increasing suicide rates. Although suicide stigma affects blind recognition of suicide risk across culture, the existence of stigma itself is a complex sociocultural issue. Above all, since stigma is formed and reinforced through social interaction, understanding the sociocultural context can help address the underlying structure of suicide stigma and antecedents of suicide stigma. The purpose of this study was to examine the cultural attributions affecting suicide stigma in Korea. Specifically, this study explored impacts of Korea’s unique cultural factors such as “Chemyon sensitivity,” “conformity tendency” and “Interdependent self.” Results showed that cultural factors played significant roles in predicting suicide stigma levels for Koreans.

Author

• Hannah Lee, Ewha Womans University