The Association of Depression and Sense of Belonging with Suicidal Ideation Among Older Adults: Applicability of Resiliency Models

Abstract

Suicide among older people, especially men, is a significant problem. In this study the applicability of the compensatory, the risk-protective, the challenge, and the protective-protective models of resiliency for the prediction of suicidal ideation from depression (the risk factor) and sense of belonging to the community (the protective factor) was investigated. A total of 351 retired Australians (130 males and 221 females), with a mean age of 71.31 years (SD = 7.99), completed the Zung Depression Scale, the suicide subscale of the General Health Questionnaire, and the Sense of Belonging Instrument. When sense of belonging (psychological) was the protective factor, results indicated support for the risk-protective model for men and women, and for the compensatory model for women only. In contrast, when sense of belonging (antecedents) was the protective factor, support was evident for the compensatory model for men and women, and for the challenge model for women only. Results indicate that interventions should be developed to enhance sense of belonging among aging adults.

The relationship between living alone and depressive symptoms among older gay men: the moderating role of sense of belonging with gay friends

“…Low levels of a sense of belonging have been associated with depressive symptoms among older adults (McLaren et al, 2007) and among gay men (McLaren et al, 2008). The relationship has not been investigated among older gay men.…”

Racial Group Identity, Psychosocial Resources, and Depressive Symptoms: Exploring Ethnic Heterogeneity among Black Americans

“…For instance, prevalence estimates indicate that nearly 10 percent of adults suffer one or more symptoms of depression at any given time, with recent estimates of about 40 million American adults having diagnosable major depression (Pelham 2009;Strine et al 2008). Depressive symptoms include frequent sadness, feelings of hopelessness, suicidal ideation, poor concentration, decreased interest in activities, social isolation, and major changes in eating and sleeping habits (McLaren et al 2007;Mizell 1999;Ross and Mirowsky 2003). Such symptoms disrupt family cohesion, cause difficulties in sexual relationships, lead to poor performance in employment, and result in social isolation (U.S. Department of Health and Human Services 1999).…”

“…Some studies have detected a direct impact (e.g., Sellers et al 2003), while other research concludes that the effects of racial group identity, after controlling for other pertinent covariates (e.g., discrimination and socioeconomic status), are either not significant or largely indirect through others factors (see, for example, Neblett, Shelton, and Sellers 2004). In this paper, we explore another alternative explanation by examining whether positive racial group identity may actually better mental health by amplifying the maximize the effects of other protective factors-thereby further lowering negative outcomes (Brook et al 1998;Hollister-Wagner et al 2001;Masten et al 1988;McLaren et al 2007). This process is similar to the one specified by the stress process model, in which psychosocial resources, such as self-esteem, mastery, and social support, moderate or mediate stressors (Pearlin 1999;Pearlin et al 1981).…”

“…With respect to the current study, we examine whether racial group identity (i.e., closeness to other blacks and black group evaluation-both protective factors) modifies the effects of psychosocial resources (i.e., self-esteem, mastery, and social support-all protective factors) on depressive symptoms (the negative outcome). Few studies have tested the protective-protective paradigm using a sample of adults (for an exception, see McLaren et al 2007). …”

Do Meaning in Life and Purpose in Life Protect Against Suicide Ideation Among Community-Residing Older Adults?

“…Shneidman (1996) posited that intolerable psychological pain drives suicide ideation, referring to thoughts and plans for suicide. A body of research supports associations between late-life suicide ideation and indices of psychological pain, including depression, hopelessness, impulsivity, social disconnection, and experienced or anticipated health problems (Almeida et al 2012;Cukrowicz et al 2011;Jahn et al 2011;McLaren et al 2007;Vanderhorst and McLaren 2005). Yet, most distressed older adults do not die by suicide, suggesting a need to assess risk factors in conjunction with adaptive processes that might confer resiliency to suicide (Edelstein et al 2009;Heisel 2006).…”