Self‐harm in an older adult population during the <scp>COVID</scp>‐19 pandemic

Obidoa, Michael; Bello, Rakiya; Hardman, Stephen

doi:10.1002/pnp.747

Cited by 3 publications

(4 citation statements)

References 28 publications

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“…From another viewpoint, the data at hand are silent about what has happened during the COVID-19 pandemic, a period not included in our data but one that might have affected intentional poisoning as it influenced self-harm in general [ 20 ]. Some have indicated, though, that the effects in older populations might have been mixed: protective among those who benefited from strengthened (albeit small) social networks and aggravating among others who did not, for example those living alone [ 21 ].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Trends in intentional and unintentional poisonings among older adults - A national register-based study in Sweden

et al. 2023

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Background Among older people intentional poisoning outnumber unintentional ones. While there are indications that time trends differ by poisoning intent, studies are scarce. We assessed how the annual prevalence of intentional and unintentional poisoning changed over time, overall and by demographic groups. Methods We conducted a national open cohort study of individuals aged 50–100 years, resident in Sweden during 2005–2016. Individuals were followed up in population-based registers for their demographic and health attributes from 2006–2016. Annual prevalence of hospitalization and death by poisoning intent (unintentional vs. intentional or undetermined; ICD-10 definitions) were compiled for the categories of four demographic attributes (age, sex, marital status, and birth cohort “baby boomers”). The time trends were assessed by multinomial logistic regression with year as an independent variable. Results The annual overall prevalence of hospitalization and death by intentional poisonings consistently exceeded that of unintentional poisonings. There was a significant downward trend in intentional poisonings but not in unintentional ones. This difference in trends also applied when considering men and women separately, married and unmarried people, the young-old individuals (but not the older- or oldest-old ones), and the baby boomers and non-baby boomers. The largest demographic differences within intent were found between married and unmarried people, and the smallest one between men and women. Conclusion As expected, the annual prevalence of intentional poisonings considerably exceed that of unintentional ones among Swedish older people. The recent trends reveal a significant reduction of intentional poisonings, consistent across a range of demographic attributes. The scope for action regarding this preventable cause of mortality and morbidity remains considerable.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Trends in intentional and unintentional poisonings among older adults - A national register-based study in Sweden

et al. 2023

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“…As new articles are published, there are contrasting views in terms of the changes in suicide rates after COVID-19 in older adults. Some literature reports that COVID-19 has increased both self-harm (65) and suicide rates in the older population (59,61,62,66). Self-harm is considered an important risk factor for suicide, as there is a 67-fold increase in the chance of dying by suicide for older adults with a history of self-harm (65).…”

Section: Impacts Of Covid-19 On Suicide Ratesmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Some literature reports that COVID-19 has increased both self-harm (65) and suicide rates in the older population (59,61,62,66). Self-harm is considered an important risk factor for suicide, as there is a 67-fold increase in the chance of dying by suicide for older adults with a history of self-harm (65). Increased periods of social isolation are thought to increase the likelihood of self-harm; however, this relationship is largely understudied and could benefit from more extensive research (65).…”

Section: Impacts Of Covid-19 On Suicide Ratesmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Self-harm is considered an important risk factor for suicide, as there is a 67-fold increase in the chance of dying by suicide for older adults with a history of self-harm (65). Increased periods of social isolation are thought to increase the likelihood of self-harm; however, this relationship is largely understudied and could benefit from more extensive research (65). The relationship between suicide rates and COVID-19 is complex in nature, but many articles refer to the Interpersonal Theory of Suicide (ITS) to help explain the increased desire and risk for suicide.…”

Section: Impacts Of Covid-19 On Suicide Ratesmentioning

confidence: 99%

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A narrative review: suicide and suicidal behaviour in older adults

Sadek,

Diaz-Piedra,

Saleh

et al. 2024

Front. Psychiatry

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Globally, suicide is a public health concern that claims the lives of many each year. The complex etiology and factors contributing to the risk of suicide make it hard to predict the likelihood of death by suicide. Suicide rates have been increasing over the past 25 years in patients aged 65 years and older, and with the expected increases in the size of the older adult population and the under-detection of suicide risk, these rates may continue to increase. To mitigate and attempt to limit this expected increase, it is important to understand the risk and protective factors of suicide in older adults. This narrative review focuses on individuals above the age of 65 and encompasses relevant peer-reviewed publications from the past 25 years to cover fatal and non-fatal suicidal behaviour. It summarizes several important risk factors for suicide and suicidal behaviors while considering how risk can be detected, assessed, prevented, and mitigated. Screening methods to detect suicide and depression in older adults were examined based on their effectiveness and suitability for use in this population. Lastly, the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on suicide rates in older adults were described.

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Conceptualizing Self-Harm through the Experiences of Psychogeriatric Experts

Van Hove,

Baetens,

Vanderstichelen

2024

Psychopathology

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Introduction: Fewer studies thus far have focused on self-harm and its specific forms among older adults. Moreover, the limited available literature applies varying terminology. The categorization of self-harm used in younger populations may not be as appropriate for this population. This means that less is known about this phenomenon in older adults. The current study aimed to reduce this gap. Methods: Nine Flemish psychogeriatric experts participated in a semi-structured interview. Transcripts were thematically analyzed. Results: Themes emerging from the interviews suggest that self-harm in older adults may also include distinct elements, such as the omission of certain behaviours and engagement in indirect self-harm to cause bodily harm. According to the experts, self-harm may be engaged in to cope with emotions, express life fatigue, hasten death, and communicate a cry for help. Discussion: Self-harm is prevalent in older adults, and some characteristics may be specific to self-harm in an older age group. These findings may enable clinicians to be more alert to self-harm in older adults and consequently prevent serious suicidal behaviour. More research is needed to further uncover this phenomenon.

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Self‐harm in an older adult population during the COVID‐19 pandemic

Cited by 3 publications

References 28 publications

Trends in intentional and unintentional poisonings among older adults - A national register-based study in Sweden

Trends in intentional and unintentional poisonings among older adults - A national register-based study in Sweden

A narrative review: suicide and suicidal behaviour in older adults

Conceptualizing Self-Harm through the Experiences of Psychogeriatric Experts

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