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Correlates of suicidal ideation among an elderly depressed sample
T R Lynch1, C S Johnson, T Mendelson
1Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC 27710, USA. lynch011@mc.duke.edu
Journal of Affective Disorders
|January 8, 2000
Summary
Suicidal ideation is common in older adults. Feelings of guilt or worthlessness significantly increase the risk of suicidal thoughts in this population.
Area of Science:
- Geriatric Psychiatry
- Mental Health Research
Background:
- Suicidal ideation is a significant concern in the elderly, who have the highest suicide completion rates.
- Understanding risk factors for suicidal ideation in older adults is crucial for prevention.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate clinical and phenomenological factors associated with suicidal ideation in a sample of elderly individuals.
- To identify potential warning signs for suicidal thoughts in depressed older adults.
Main Methods:
- Examined 167 elderly subjects from the Duke Clinical Research Center for the Study of Depression in Late Life.
- Utilized bivariate and multivariate analyses to identify correlates of suicidal ideation.
Main Results:
- Psychomotor retardation, dysthymia history, prior psychiatric hospitalization, and younger age were linked to increased suicidal ideation.
- Feelings of guilt, sinfulness, or worthlessness were associated with over six times higher odds of suicidal thoughts.
Conclusions:
- Correlational findings do not establish causality but highlight important associations.
- Identified specific 'red flags' for clinicians to recognize suicidal ideation in depressed older adults.