A recent study has revealed that individuals with lower levels of education are significantly more likely to make extreme choices.
A research team led by Ki Myung from Korea University’s College of Medicine found that among young men aged 30 to 44, those with only an elementary school education or less are 6.1 to 13 times more likely to attempt suicide compared to those with a college degree or higher.
Specifically, the study showed that the rate of extreme choices among men with elementary school education or less was 288.2 per 100,000 people in 2015 and 251.4 per 100,000 in 2020.
These figures are nearly ten times higher than the national average of 27.3 deaths per 100,000 due to extreme choices. Shockingly, they are more than double the rate recorded in Nunavut, Canada, which has the world’s highest rate of deaths related to suicide.
The researchers concluded that the likelihood of making extreme choices is exceptionally high among those with lower education levels.
Ki emphasized that socioeconomic inequality is a significant driver of mental distress and extreme choices. He argued that this issue should not be viewed solely as an individual mental health problem but recognized as a broader societal challenge.
He stated that policies aimed at preventing extreme choices need to address social crises, such as poverty and rental fraud, alongside mental health issues. He emphasized that an approach considering social vulnerabilities can reduce disparities and strengthen the social safety net.
He added that preventing extreme choices requires enhanced administrative support for social issues. He stressed the importance of reaching a point where vulnerable populations are approached with genuine respect and consideration.
These research findings will be published in the December 2024 Social Science & Medicine.
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