A Systematic Review of Social Factors and Suicidal Behavior in Older Adulthood

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health

Madeleine Mellqvist Fässberg⁴  Kimberly A. van Orden²  Paul Duberstein²  Annette Erlangsen⁵  Sylvie Lapierre¹  Ehud Bodner⁶  Silvia Sara Canetto⁷  Diego De Leo⁸  Katalin Szanto³ 

[1] Département de Psychologie, Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières, 3351 des Forges blvd., Trois-Rivières, QC G9A 5H7, Canada;Department of Psychiatry, University of Rochester Medical Center, 300 Crittenden Boulevard, Rochester, NY 14642, USA;Western Psychiatric Institute and Clinic, University of Pittsburgh, 3811 O’Hara Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15260, USA;Department of Psychiatry and Neurochemistry, Neuropsychiatric Epidemiology Unit, Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Wallinsgatan 6, 43141 Mölndal, Sweden;Department of Mental Health, Johns Hopkins School of Public Health, 624 North Broadway, S850, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA;The Interdisciplinary Department of Social Sciences and the Music Department, Bar-Ilan University, Ramat-Gan, Israel;Department of Psychology, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO 80523, USA;Australian Institute for Suicide Research and Prevention, National Centre of Excellence in Suicide Prevention, WHO Collaborating Centre for Research and Training in Suicide Prevention, and Life Promotion Clinic, Mt Gravatt Campus, Griffith University,176 Messines Ridge Road, Mt Gravatt, QLD 4122, Australia;

关键词: death wishes;    suicidal ideation;    non-fatal suicidal behavior;    suicide;    social factors;    social support;    systematic review;    older adults;   

DOI  :  10.3390/ijerph9030722

来源: mdpi

【 摘 要 】

Suicide in later life is a global public health problem. The aim of this review was to conduct a systematic analysis of studies with comparison groups that examined the associations between social factors and suicidal behavior (including ideation, non-fatal suicidal behavior, or deaths) among individuals aged 65 and older. Our search identified only 16 articles (across 14 independent samples) that met inclusion criteria. The limited number of studies points to the need for further research. Included studies were conducted in Canada (n = 2), Germany (n = 1), Hong Kong (n = 1), Japan (n = 1), Singapore (n = 1), Sweden (n = 2), Taiwan (n = 1), the U.K. (n = 2), and the U.S. (n = 3). The majority of the social factors examined in this review can be conceptualized as indices of positive social connectedness—the degree of positive involvement with family, friends, and social groups. Findings indicated that at least in industrialized countries, limited social connectedness is associated with suicidal ideation, non-fatal suicidal behavior, and suicide in later life. Primary prevention programs designed to enhance social connections as well as a sense of community could potentially decrease suicide risk, especially among men.

【 授权许可】

CC BY   
© 2012 by the authors; licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland.