The Impact of Family Social Support on Hopelessness and Suicidal Ideation through Multi-Group Analysis - Mediating Effects of Drinking and Depression among Middle-Aged Men in Their 40s and 50s

This study examined the structural relationships between hopelessness, drinking, depression, and suicidal ideation among middle-aged men and the further explored whether the pathways of the latent variables are affected differently by the level of family social support. The results of this study were based on 551 who participated in an online survey and show this: First, hopelessness, drinking, and depression increased suicidal ideation significantly. Second, hopelessness increased suicidal ideation through a path of drinking and depression through a sequential mediation effect. Third, there were significant group differences in suicidal ideation by the level of informational support in family. These results are interest in that they provided a specific exploration of information support among family social support should be taken to alleviate suicidal ideation. Finally, it is suggested that programmes should be developed to help create a positive cycle of information exchange among family members.