Abstract
This study investigates the suicidal ideation and the possible causes for suicidal behaviour in the elderly. Subjects were 150 patients aged 65 and older who were evaluated using the sociodemographic data collection forms, Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS), Suicidal Ideation Scale (SIS), Reasons for Living Inventory (RLI), and Beck Hopelessness Scale (BHS). Of 150 patients, 72.7% were women and 27.3% were men, ages ranged from 65 to 88 years. Suicidal ideation was noted in 30.7% of patients. When the mean of BHS total score between patients with and without suicidal ideation and the mean of BHS subscale's feelings and expectations regarding the future and loss of motivation and hope in terms of subscales were evaluated between the groups with and without suicidal ideation, the scores had a significant difference. When RLI was evaluated in terms of total scores, the suicidal ideation mean score was 243.74 ± 32.28, while the non-suicidal ideation mean score was 267.27 ± 24.36. There was a significant relationship between the two groups. We found low level of education, low level of reasons for living and higher psychiatric morbidity (generalized anxiety disorder and comorbid depressive disorder) in with suicidal ideation in the elderly.
Highlights
Old age is a stage in the human life cycle in which the suicide rate increases
This study aimed to investigate the factors that lead to suicidal ideation and the possible causes for suicidal behaviour in the elderly, thereby contributing to research in the area of hopelessness and suicidal ideation in the elderly
Suicidal ideation was noted in 30.7% of patients (n = 46), whereas no suicidal ideation was noted in 69.3% of patients (n = 104)
Summary
Old age is a stage in the human life cycle in which the suicide rate increases. The completed suicide rate of elderly men is 3-4 times higher than the overall average worldwide[1]. The risk increases when detailed suicidal ideas with clear and concrete plans continue for an extended period, and the suicidal individual has made his/her intentions clear to people around him/her. Making preparations, such as creating a will, leaving a suicide note and saying goodbye to relatives, for committing suicide are significantly higher risk indicators[3]. An ongoing sense of despair unrelated to depressive symptoms and lack of purpose to continue living are independent factors that increase suicide risk. Some studies have noted a mutual interaction between the emergence of mental disorders and biological, psychological and social conditions in the lives of the elderly[3]
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