Associations of Self-Reported Deterrents to Suicide Attempts in Depressed Older Adults

This study examined deterrents to suicide in depressed older adults with and without a lifetime suicide attempt.

Older adults (N=264, M±SD age = 62.5±7.9 years) participating in a study on late-life suicide risk provided deterrents to suicide via free-response item. Two independent raters categorized participant responses based on Linehan's Reasons for Living scale. Logistic regression compared deterrent categories between attempters and nonattempters.

Survival/coping beliefs (54%) and relationships (52%) were the most cited deterrents. Neither the number of categories endorsed, nor the type of deterrent categories were differentially associated with lifetime suicide attempt. Among attempters (n=106) individuals who attempted suicide more recently were less likely to endorse relationship deterrents compared to individuals who attempted suicide in the distal past.

Beliefs in one's ability to deal with stressful situations may have long-standing positive effect on suicidal behavior, while social disconnectedness is associated with recent suicide attempts.