Exploratory study on safe factor, anxiety stressor and coping for local elderly people in an area in North Tohoku with high rates of suicide

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  • PARK SangJoon
    Physical Education and Medicine Research Foundation
  • WATANABE Naoki
    Department of Human Psychology, Faculty of Human Sciences, Kansai University of International Studies
  • COLUCCI Erminia
    Center for International Mental Health, University of Melbourne, Australia
  • TAGUCHI Manabu
    Guest Researcher of Department of Neuro-Psychiatry, Saint Marianna University School of Medicine
  • TAKIZAWA Tohru
    Department of Human Health Sciences, Hachinohe University
  • OKADA Shinpei
    Physical Education and Medicine Research Foundation
  • UMEDA Youko
    Institute for the Promotion of Excellence in Higher Education, Kyoto University

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Other Title
  • 地域高齢者が日常で感じる「安心要因，不安要因および解決法」に関する探索的研究
  • 地域高齢者が日常で感じる「安心要因,不安要因および解決法」に関する探索的研究 : 自殺の多い北東北地方の高自殺率地区高齢者への訪問調査から
  • チイキ コウレイシャ ガ ニチジョウ デ カンジル 「 アンシン ヨウイン,フアン ヨウイン オヨビ カイケツホウ 」 ニ カンスル タンサクテキ ケンキュウ : ジサツ ノ オオイ キタトウホク チホウ ノ コウジサツリツ チク コウレイシャ エ ノ ホウモン チョウサ カラ
  • 自殺の多い北東北地方の高自殺率地区高齢者への訪問調査から

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Abstract

As a strategy for primary prevention of suicide, we have been providing intervention aiming to empower the protective factors of suicide among inhabitants in High rate suicide area of North Tohoku region, a Japanese city that, since 1997, has recorded high suicide rates. Using participatory action research and a qualitative data analysis approach called SCAT (Steps for Coding and Theorization), we examined the inhabitants' views towards “meaning for life”. The results of these studies showed that the elderly living in the area have a specific value that “working creates meaning for life”. They also have a specific feeling of comfort when the mutual communication between family members and the neighbors exists. Participants also reported having a feeling concerned when they found the decrease of body functions and loss of communication with younger inhabitants. We also found that the mutual bonding among family members and neighbors could solve such difficult situations and feelings. Empowering this mutual bonding may play an important role for preventing suicide in this area, and to build an ideal community with joy and comfort. Similar to the report by Oka, activities aimed to strengthen the bonding among the inhabitants would contribute to the empowerment of the protective factors of suicide.

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