Suicidal ideation risk levels among the elderly living alone in South Korea: focusing on the subjective memory complaint and social support

Background: Suicidal ideation among elderly individuals living alone is influenced by both psychological and social factors. While previous studies often classify suicidal ideation as a binary outcome, this study categorizes it into three risk levels to better capture its severity.Methods: Using data from 1,099 participants in the IMCELA program, suicidal ideation risk was assessed with the Suicidal Ideation Scale (SIS). Key independent variables included subjective memory complaints (SMC), depression, and social support. Logistic regression and Generalized Ordered Logit Regression (GOLR) were employed to analyze risk factors.Results: Depression was the strongest predictor of suicidal ideation risk (OR = 7.169, p < 0.001). SMC was significantly associated with suicidal ideation only in females, while tangible social support significantly reduced suicidal ideation risk, particularly in males.Conclusions: Depression remains the most critical factor in suicidal ideation, with gender differences observed in the effects of SMC and social support. These findings highlight the need for targeted mental health interventions, gender-sensitive social support programs, and efforts to improve digital literacy and self-sufficiency among older adults.