Suicidality Among Bereaved Families After the Sewol Ferry Disaster: A Longitudinal Study

This study aimed to investigate the relationship between suicidality and various mental health problems using longitudinal follow-up data in bereaved families after the Sewol ferry disaster. Data from 226 participants gathered over 7 years (2015–2021) were used. Suicidal risk was measured and mental health variables including depression, insomnia, post-traumatic embitterment disorders(PTED), complicated grief were gathered. A series of Generalized Estimating Equation models were developed to identify the factors associated with potential suicide risk among the bereaved family members of the Sewol ferry disaster. Participants with depression, clinically significant PTED, and complicated grief were associated with suicidal ideation, suicide plan, and having suicide preventive factors. Participants with prolonged PTED were also associated with suicide plan and having suicide preventive factors. The probability of having suicide ideation (from the fourth to the seventh year) and suicide preventive factors (in the fifth year) was significantly decreased compared to the first year since the disaster occurred. This study provided evidence by illuminating the long-term prognosis of suicide risk in disaster-affected families and its correlation with mental health factors. It offered a valuable insight that interventions addressing depression, PTED, and complicated grief are necessary in the long term to reduce their suicide risk.