Abstract
BackgroundsSuicidal ideation is an important public health issue due to devastating mortality. In the meantime, interpersonal trust was found to be negatively associated with mental disorder and physical health. Although there is increasing evidence that interpersonal trust is a significant predictor of suicidal ideation, evidence of this association is still lacking in the developing world. The aim of this study was to test the association between interpersonal trust and suicidal ideation among older adults in China.MethodsUsing a multi-stage stratified sampling strategy, 7070 older adults aged 60 and above from Shandong Province, China were recruited in this study. Socio-demographic characteristics, health status, family relationship, psychological distress, interpersonal trust and suicidal ideation in the last 12 months were obtained through face to face interviews. The association between interpersonal trust and suicidal ideation was assessed using multiple logistic regression models adjusting for socio-demographic characteristics, health status, family relationship and psychological distress.Results7.1% of participants reported suicidal ideation in the past 12 months, which was related to gender, resident area, marital status, educational level, self-rated economic, chronic disease, self-rated health status and family relationship within 1 month, psychological distress and interpersonal trust. After adjusting for sociodemographic factors, health status, family relationship and psychological distress, interpersonal mistrust was associated with two times odds of suicidal ideation when compared to interpersonal trustConclusionsThe interpersonal trust was associated with suicidal ideation among elderly in Shandong, China. Intervention approaches regarding inducing and promoting interpersonal trust should be developed to prevent suicide.
Highlights
In previous research, the factors associated with suicidal ideation can be divided into three groups: sociodemographic characteristics, psychological factors and social environmental factors [1, 2]
The interpersonal trust was associated with suicidal ideation among elderly in Shandong, China
There was a significant difference in suicidal ideation regarding to gender (p < 0.001), residence (p < 0.001), marital status (p < 0.001), educational level (p < 0.001), reported economic level (p < 0.001), chronic diseases (p < 0.001), self-rated health (p < 0.001) and the relationship with family (p < 0.001) in 1 month
Summary
The factors associated with suicidal ideation can be divided into three groups: sociodemographic characteristics, psychological factors and social environmental factors [1, 2]. A growing body of evidence in developed countries suggests that interpersonal trust is associated with mental disorder and physical health. In Australian, Phongsavan reported that after controlling socio-demographic characteristics and health conditions, those who have higher levels of trust were inversely associated with psychological distress [9]. There is much less evidence indicating that interpersonal trust is linked to the health condition. Older adults who mistrust people were more likely to suffer from poor physical and mental health at the same time These negative influences may, in turn, increase the probability that one would consider suicide. In Japan, Masayuki found individuallevel mistrust was associated with suicidal ideation after adjusting for social support and psychological distress among the elderly living in the rural area [18]. Because research on interpersonal trust and suicidal ideation are still in an early stage, it is necessary to record the possible relationships
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