DETERMINANTS OF SUICIDAL IDEATION IN OLDER ADULTS WITH MAJOR DEPRESSION – ASSOCIATIONS WITH PERCEIVED STRESS

Abstract

Introduction Depression has been strongly linked to suicide ideation in older adults. However, the role of other factors is less clear. Perceived stress is a factor that is emerging as a potential contributing factor in suicide ideation in older adults. We hypothesized higher levels of perceived stress would be associated with increased self-reported suicidal ideation independent of depressive symptom severity in older adults with LLD. Methods This study used data from community-dwelling older adults aged 65 with current diagnosis of major depression. Eligible participants completed measures of depression symptom severity (Hamilton Depression Rating Scale-17 item), current suicidal ideation (Geriatric Suicide Ideation Scale; GSIS), and perceived stress (Perceived Stress Scale; PSS). Statistical analyses were conducted using SPSS version 20. Descriptive statistics, including demographic and clinical characteristics of the participants were obtained. A linear regression analysis was then conducted, assessing the relationship of perceived stress to suicidal ideation, controlling for the effects of age, education, gender, and depression symptom severity. R2 were then calculated based on standardized beta values in the final model. Results Participants were 225 older adults with a mean age of 71.4 (SD = 5.6), who were 64.9% female. Sixteen percent of the variance in suicidality (GSIS total score) was accounted for by the variables assessed. In particular, lower education (B = −.13, p = .04), male gender (B = −.13, p = .04), greater depression severity (B = .15, p = .02) and higher current perceived stress (B = .32, p Conclusions Our findings suggest that increased perceived stress might be a particularly important factor of those more likely to think about suicide. Perceive stress may thus be a useful factor that could improve early identification and intervention of suicide ideation among late life depression patients at a high risk for suicidal behaviors. Mechanisms and coping strategies to reduce perceived stress could be directly implemented in depressed patients with suicidal ideation. Further research is warranted on perceived stress in relation to suicidal ideation. This research was funded by This work was supported by R01 MH0977669: (PI:Mackin), R01 MH101472 (PI:Mackin); UCSF Epstein Endowment Fund