Description of suicide ideation among older adults and a psychological profile: a cross-sectional study in Turkey

Abstract

This study investigates the suicidal ideation and the possible causes for suicidal behaviour in the elderly. Subjects were 150 patients aged 65 and older who were evaluated using the sociodemographic data collection forms, Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS), Suicidal Ideation Scale (SIS), Reasons for Living Inventory (RLI), and Beck Hopelessness Scale (BHS). Of 150 patients, 72.7% were women and 27.3% were men, ages ranged from 65 to 88 years. Suicidal ideation was noted in 30.7% of patients. When the mean of BHS total score between patients with and without suicidal ideation and the mean of BHS subscale’s feelings and expectations regarding the future and loss of motivation and hope in terms of subscales were evaluated between the groups with and without suicidal ideation, the scores had a significant difference. When RLI was evaluated in terms of total scores, the suicidal ideation mean score was 243.74 ± 32.28, while the non-suicidal ideation mean score was 267.27 ± 24.36. There was a significant relationship between the two groups. We found low level of education, low level of reasons for living and higher psychiatric morbidity (generalized anxiety disorder and comorbid depressive disorder) in with suicidal ideation in the elderly.

Association of objective visual impairment with suicidal ideation and suicide attempts among adults aged ≥50 years in low/middle-income countries

“…To date, several risk factors of suicidal thoughts and behavior have been identified among older adults, and include factors such as mental health complications, sleep problems, mobility problems, lower quality of life, and severe functional impairment [7][8][9][10][11][12][13][14][15]. One other potential but under-studied risk factor in older adults is that of visual impairment.…”

Risk factors for suicidal behaviour in late-life depression: A systematic review

“…Moreover, the level of education was negatively associated with a higher risk of suicide behaviour engagement ( i.e. , suicidal ideation and attempt), as Aslan et al [ 3 ] reported.…”

“…Most studies (60%) selected examined suicidal ideation outcome[ 3 , 10 , 20 - 22 , 25 , 36 , 38 - 52 ]. On the other hand, suicide attempt was assessed in 40% of studies[ 2 , 3 , 21 , 35 , 37 , 41 , 44 , 52 - 57 ].…”

“…Most studies (60%) selected examined suicidal ideation outcome[ 3 , 10 , 20 - 22 , 25 , 36 , 38 - 52 ]. On the other hand, suicide attempt was assessed in 40% of studies[ 2 , 3 , 21 , 35 , 37 , 41 , 44 , 52 - 57 ]. Finally, nine studies (25.71%) addressed death by suicide[ 2 , 33 , 34 , 37 , 54 , 56 ], three (8.57%) assessed wish to die[ 22 , 39 , 58 ], two (5.71% of studies) focused on suicidality risk[ 59 , 60 ], and only one evaluated suicide planning[ 45 ].…”

Contribuição da literatura sobre a temática violência e saúde nos 25 anos da Ciência & Saúde Coletiva

“…The majority emphasized the need to promote public policies for the care of mental health problems resulting from violence such as depression, aggressive behavior, and suicidal ideation and suicide attempts. Violence against elderly persons was highlighted in the issue of suicide and attempted suicide, with a study in Turkey 39 . Two studies from Latin American and Caribbean addressed political violence and the effects of armed conflicts on the population's mental health.…”