When the solution is part of the problem: problem solving in elderly suicide attempters.

Area of Science:

• Gerontology
• Psychiatry
• Suicidology

Background:

• Suicide in the elderly is linked to depression, loss, and illness.
• Individual vulnerability factors, particularly problem-solving deficits, are not well understood.
• Poor problem-solving is a potential risk factor for suicidal behavior in older adults.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate if elderly suicide attempters perceive their problem-solving abilities as deficient.
• To explore the relationship between perceived problem-solving deficits and suicidal behavior in the elderly.

Main Methods:

• A study involving 64 participants aged 60+ (depressed suicide attempters, depressed non-attempters, non-depressed controls).
• Utilized the Social Problem Solving Inventory-Revised (short version) to assess perceived social problem-solving.
• Measured adaptive (positive orientation, rational problem solving) and dysfunctional (negative orientation, impulsivity, avoidance) dimensions.

Main Results:

• Depressed elderly suicide attempters perceived overall problem-solving as deficient compared to other groups.
• Attempters showed more negative problem orientation and impulsive approaches.
• Both depressed groups exhibited lower rational problem solving and higher avoidance than non-depressed controls.

Conclusions:

• Perceiving life problems as threatening and unsolvable is linked to elderly suicide attempts.
• An impulsive approach to problem-solving appears to predispose vulnerable elderly individuals to suicide attempts.
• Deficits in problem-solving may be a key vulnerability factor in elderly suicide.