É possível superar ideações e tentativas de suicídio? Um estudo sobre idosos

Control in relation to suicidal ideation and nonfatal suicidal behavior among older adults: a systematic review

OBJECTIVES

This review aims to evaluate and synthesize quantitative and qualitative findings on perceived control and value placed on control within the context of suicidal ideation or nonfatal suicidal behaviors in older adults.

METHOD

A comprehensive literature search was completed in June 2022, October 2022, and November 2023. Included studies focused on perceived control or value placed on control and on suicidal ideation or nonfatal suicidal behavior. Studies were published in English and included older adults (≥ 60 years) in separate analyses. Studies focusing on self-efficacy were excluded.

RESULTS

Twelve studies with 10 unique samples of 1487 total participants from eight countries were assessed. Quantitative studies indicated that perceived control and value placed on control are significant correlates of suicidal ideation and nonfatal suicidal behaviors, while qualitative studies highlighted that individuals who survive suicide attempts often specify decreased perceived control as a reason for their attempts.

CONCLUSION

Results of this review indicate that perceived control and value placed on control are relevant variables when studying suicidal ideation and nonfatal suicidal behavior. This conclusion should be considered preliminary. Future research should examine heterogeneous samples, adopt gold standard assessments, and assess covariates in the associations.

An International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health Model-Based Analysis of Suicidal Ideation among 9920 Community-Dwelling Korean Older Adults

BACKGROUND

Many complex factors contribute to suicide in older adults. The suicidal ideation that precedes suicide is an especially direct predictor of suicide. This study aimed to identify the effects between variables affecting suicidal ideation among older adults using the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) model and understand the causal relationships to systematize complex factors.

METHODS

This study used data from 9920 community-dwelling older adults who completed a national survey in 2020 to classify predictors of suicidal ideation (e.g., depression, subjective health status, sociodemographic factors, health factors, social support, instrumental activities of daily living (IADL), and social participation) by using the ICF model. To determine the causal relationship between variables, this study examined significance based on the critical ratio (C.R.) and squared multiple correlation (SMC) by using a path model.

RESULTS

Gender, education level, economic level, age, IADL, relationship satisfaction with a child, depression, and the number of chronic diseases significantly affected suicidal ideation, while age, employment status, participation in social groups, formal and informal support, satisfaction with a friend/neighbor relationship, and subjective health status did not significantly influence it. Moreover, depression mediated the relationship between each of these variables and suicidal ideation.

CONCLUSIONS

It was found that depression was the most direct and mediating factor in suicidal ideation among many factors affecting the suicidal ideation of community-dwelling older adults. Additional studies should be conducted to develop community-level strategies based on these factors and understand causal relationships.

Qualitative inquiry into the experience of suicide loss, aftereffects and coping strategies of suicide-bereaved Greek-speaking parents in Cyprus

PURPOSE

Studies on suicide-bereaved parents are scarce in South European and Eastern Mediterranean countries. We explored the experiences of Greek-speaking suicide-bereaved parents in Cyprus, with emphasis on the interpretations of their child's suicide, its aftereffects and their coping strategies.

METHODS

A qualitative methodology based on inductive content analysis of the interviews of ten mothers and two fathers was applied.

RESULTS

The participants described their efforts to make sense of the senseless, reporting numerous interpretations of their child's suicide. Some participants had achieved to move on by trying to keep the remaining family together. Others felt detached from their social network. The different coping strategies and support systems described, reflected participants' efforts to escape from obsessive, enduring and deeply traumatizing thoughts about their child's suicide. The analysis mirrored participants' ultimate desire to find existential relief and serenity through the management of distressing reminders of their child's suicide, and alleviate the burden of their own negative self-judgement and the criticism of others. They sought physical and emotional comfort in the inner realm of their psyche, through spiritual and psychological coping processes.

CONCLUSION

Further exploration is suggested about intervention planning aiming to strengthen effective coping strategies and external supportive resources in mourning parents.

Dogs and the Good Life: A Cross-Sectional Study of the Association Between the Dog–Owner Relationship and Owner Mental Wellbeing

Dog ownership is believed to benefit owner wellbeing but, contrary to popular belief, there is limited evidence to suggest that simply owning a dog is associated with improved mental health. This mixed-methods study investigates whether dog owners with stronger relationships with their dogs experience better mental health. Participants (n = 1,693, adult United Kingdom dog owners) completed an online survey. Owners’ health was measured using the validated PROMIS questions regarding depression, anxiety, emotional support, and companionship. The dog–owner relationship was measured using the validated MDORS scale, which has three subscales: interaction, emotional closeness, and perceived costs. Univariable and multivariable linear regression analyses were conducted, adjusting for confounding factors. Additionally, positive and negative impacts of dog ownership on mental wellbeing were coded from open questions using thematic analysis. A stronger dog–owner relationship was associated with greater feelings of emotional support and companionship but poorer mental health in terms of anxiety or depression. However, the perceived costs (burden) subscale was consistently associated with better mental health outcomes. Direction of causality cannot be inferred as people with poor mental health may acquire dogs to help relieve symptoms, which qualitative analysis supported. Key themes included positive impacts on owner wellbeing and happiness through providing purpose, companionship and self-acceptance, pleasure and distraction, as well as lessening emotional pain and suffering and reducing risk behaviors. However, negative impacts of a strong relationship include anticipatory grief over loss of the dog, and concerns regarding the burden of responsibility and ability to meet dog’s needs. Perceived ability to adequately meet dog’s needs promoted personal growth and positive relationships with others, whereas perceived inability led to feelings of guilt, or anger/frustration, and reduced autonomy and sense of environmental mastery. Dog ownership contributes to both hedonic and eudaimonic wellbeing in multiple ways, including supporting owners through periods of poor mental health and providing purpose. However, the burden of responsibility and owner and dog characteristics can create challenges, and owners may benefit from support in caring for their dogs and reducing problematic behaviors.

The applicability of the interpersonal-psychological theory of suicide among community-dwelling older persons

INTRODUCTION

This study examined the application of the interpersonal-psychological theory of suicide to community-dwelling older persons in South Korea.

METHODS

A cross-sectional study design was used. The data were collected by surveying 200 older persons (117 female, 83 male) aged over 65 years at welfare centers for older persons. The Interpersonal Needs Questionnaire, the Suicidal Ideation Scale, and the Acquired Capability for Suicide Scale were used to assess participants' thwarted belongingness, perceived burdensomeness, suicidal ideation, attempts, and the capability for suicide. Structural equation modeling was used to examine the fitness of a model based on the interpersonal-psychological theory of suicide. This theory described that perceived burdensomeness and thwarted belongingness lead to suicidal ideation, which is transformed into suicide attempts through an acquired capability for suicide.

RESULTS

Perceived burdensomeness was significantly associated with suicidal ideation among older persons, whereas thwarted belongingness was not. Furthermore, suicidal ideation influenced suicide attempts. The acquired capability for suicide moderated the relationship between suicidal ideation and suicide attempts.

CONCLUSIONS

To prevent suicidal ideation and suicide attempts among older persons, it is important to prevent them from feeling that they are a burden.

Determinants of Suicidal Ideation among Older Adults

Abstract. This study examined the relationship of depression and life satisfaction with suicidal ideation among older Iranian adults. In this cross-sectional study, a total of 159 older adults in Tehran (73% community-residing, 60 years or older) participated. The data were gathered using the Beck Scale for Suicidal Ideation (BSSI), the Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS), and the Life Satisfaction Index-Z (LSIZ). According to the results, depression and life satisfaction are significantly related to suicidal ideation; the two variables predict 0.39% of the variance of suicidal ideation in older adults ( p < .01). The interaction between depression and life satisfaction is a stronger predictor of suicidal ideation in older adults than each of the variables alone.

Caracterização das violências autoprovocadas cometidas pelas pessoas idosas na Região Sul do Brasil de 2009 a 2016

Resumo Objetivo Descrever as características das pessoas idosas que cometeram violência autoprovocada, notificados no Sistema de Informação de Agravos de Notificação (SINAN) na região Sul do Brasil, de 2009 a 2016. Método Trata-se de um estudo de abordagem quantitativa, retrospectivo, descritivo e com dados secundários. As variáveis em relação as características sociodemográficas dos locais e dos meios de agressão foram selecionadas com base nas fichas de notificação. As variáveis foram submetidas à análise estatística descritiva por meio de frequência simples e proporção (%), foi estratificado por faixa etária (60-69 anos; 70-79 anos; 80 anos ou mais) e realizado os intervalos de confiança (IC95%). A significância estatística foi testada através do teste qui-quadrado (χ2) e considerado o valor de Resultados Os resultados mostraram que, na região Sul do Brasil, o perfil das pessoas idosas que cometeram violência autoprovocada são predominantemente de 60 a 69 anos (61,3%), do sexo masculino (56,1%), cor de pele branca (90,9%), com baixo nível educacional (56,3%) e casadas (54,0%). Entre os estados, o Rio Grande do Sul registrou o maior número de notificações (50,7%), predominaram como local de ocorrência a zona urbana (81,8%) e a residência/habitação coletiva (90,2%). Os meios de agressão mais utilizados foram o enforcamento (29,9%) e o envenenamento (24,9%). Observou-se a ocorrência de dois desfechos, a repetição (31,5%) da violência autoprovocada e os registros de óbitos (43,8%). Conclusão O delineamento do perfil epidemiológico, na região Sul do Brasil, identificou grupos de pessoas idosas que necessitam de maior atenção nas ações de prevenção e ocorrência da violência autoprovocada, sendo eles os idosos do sexo masculino, mais jovens e com baixa escolaridade.

Chronic non-communicable diseases and their implications in the life of dependente eldery people

This study aims to investigate the implications of chronic noncommunicable diseases in dependent older adults. This is a multicenter, qualitative study in which semi-structured interviews were conducted with 59 dependent older adults diagnosed with chronic disease. The Thematic Analysis technique was used for analyzing the information. Most older adults were female, white, with low schooling level and lived with their daughters. All were undergoing drug treatment, and cardiocirculatory diseases were the most prevalent conditions. The implications of chronic diseases are manifested in the use of medications, which are also a risk factor; in the condition of dependence and in the experience with chronic diseases, which show more significant use of health services; the high economic impact of chronic diseases on families and the state; and the insufficient household income, which condition older adults to have few social and community support devices.

Testing the Effectiveness of a Salutogenic Model for Reducing Suicidal Tendencies in a Population of Elderly and Young Adults

Suicide is a leading cause of mortality worldwide, with the elderly having the highest suicide rates. This study tests the effectiveness of a salutogenic model in normative elderly people compared with young adults in protecting against risk behaviors and suicidal tendencies, based on two variables: locus of control and meaning in life (mediating variable between locus of control and suicidal tendency). Participants were 191 people aged 65 to 100 years and 200 young adults aged 18 to 28 years old. Participants completed questionnaires on locus of control and purpose in life and were assessed for suicidal tendencies. Findings reveal a negative effect of age on locus of control, purpose in life, and a negative correlation between purpose in life and internal locus of control and suicidal tendency. Purpose in life mediates between internal locus of control and suicidal tendency in both populations. The salutogenic model has significant implications and can be used to reduce suicidal tendencies.

Protective factors for older suicide attempters: Finding reasons and experiences to live

This paper describes the nature and scope of protective factors that give older people reasons and experiences to live following a suicide attempt. In order to understand more about what protective factors influenced them, we conducted a multiple-case study of seven older people who attempted suicide. The main category from the within-case analysis was the self. Between-case analysis identified four main categories: interpersonal relationships, meaningful activities and interests, community engagement, and involvement of mental health services staff. These findings offer valuable insight into the meanings behind the reasons and experiences that promote survival of older people following a suicide attempt.

Relationship between mortality in people with mental disorders and suicide mortality in China during 2000 to 2014: An observational study

Suicide is one of the top 10 causes of death in many countries. Although there are many studies on mental disorders, few studies have examined mortality in suicide population and mentally ill population. This study examined the association between mortality and mental disorders using data on suicides and mental disorders in China. Data from China's Health and Family Planning Statistical Yearbook for 2000 to 2014 were used to analyze the relationship between mortality associated with suicide and mental disorders. The analyses found that mortality among people with mental disorders dropped from 5.42/10 million in 2000 to 2.68/10 million in 2014, decreased more among females than males, and differed between urban and rural areas; that suicide mortality dropped from 10.79/10 million in 2000 to 6.79/10 million in 2014; the decrease was greater in women than in men, with suicide being highest among male residents of cities; and no significant correlation was found between mortality among persons with mental disorders and suicide mortality. There was no correlation between suicide mortality and mental-disorder mortality during 2000 to 2014; however, overall mortality decreased more among females than males during this period.

Religion and Suicide: New Findings

Suicide rates and risk and protective factors vary across religions. There has been a significant increase in research in the area of religion and suicide since the article, "Religion and Suicide," reviewed these issues in 2009. This current article provides an updated review of the research since the original article was published. PsycINFO, MEDLINE, SocINDEX, and CINAHL databases were searched for articles on religion and suicide published between 2008 and 2017. Epidemiological data on suicidality and risk and protective factors across religions are explored. Updated general practice guidelines are provided, and areas for future research are identified.

Aging, mental health, and suicide. An integrative review

Abstract Objective: this integrative literature review aimed to systematize scientific production regarding the process of aging, mental health, and suicide. Method: the LILACS, MEDLINE, and PubMed databases were used to search for papers published between 2007 and 2017. The final analysis included 34 papers. Result: descriptive North American studies in English were most prevalent. The largest number of papers on the theme was published in 2013. The researchers used questionnaires and interviews as instruments for questions involving aging and suicidal ideation. The papers revealed an association of suicide or suicidal ideation in elderly persons who manifested anxiety, depressive symptoms, depression, physical diseases, low educational and socioeconomic levels, and chronic diseases. Conclusion: this integrative review reinforces the need for investment in public policies and spaces that offer receptiveness, listening, and safety for the aged population, as well as surveys with more robust methodologies to investigate the phenomenon under analysis.

Suicide and suicide attempts by the elderly in film: related factors as shown in feature films

Abstract Objective: to analyze cases of suicide and suicide attempts by elderly persons in feature films. Method: a survey of specialized internet cinema portals was carried out. A total of 19 feature films produced between 1950 and 2014 were identified. After the authors watched the films, synopses were written describing the circumstances of the suicide and dialogue that described the profile of the elderly character was transcribed. Results: films that described suicide among the elderly were classified as follows: male gender in 13 films (68%), depression with hopelessness in 12 (63%), existence and efficiency of health services, physical illness and absence of familiar support in ten (for each category) (53%), cognitive rigidity in eight (42%), suicidal thinking in seven (37%), dysfunctional assumptions and a self-perception of negativity in six (32%), problem-solving deficits in five (26%) and a lack of social support in five (26%). Conclusion: the portrayal of suicide among the elderly in films helps to raise awareness of this subject and prevent it.