Journal article
Risk factors for late-life suicide: a prospective, community-based study
The American journal of geriatric psychiatry, Vol.10(4), pp.398-406
07/2002
DOI: 10.1097/00019442-200207000-00006
PMID: 12095899
Abstract
Despite the fact that people age 65 and older have the highest rates of suicide of any age-group, late-life suicide has a low prevalence, making it difficult to conduct prospective studies. The authors examined risk factors for late-life suicide on the basis of general information collected directly from older subjects participating in a community-based prospective study of aging, the Established Populations for Epidemiologic Studies of the Elderly. Demographic variables, presence of a relative or friend to confide in, alcohol use, and sleep quality were assessed at baseline interview. Baseline and follow-up data were used to determine physical, cognitive, and affective functioning, as well as medical status. Of 14,456 people, 21 committed suicide over the 10-year observation period. Depressive symptoms, perceived health status, sleep quality, and absence of a relative or friend to confide in predicted late-life suicide. Suicide victims did not have greater alcohol use and did not report more medical illness or physical impairment. This study provided additional information about the context of late-life depression that also contributes to suicidal behavior: poor perceived health, poor sleep quality, and limited presence of a relative or friend to confide in.
Details
- Title: Subtitle
- Risk factors for late-life suicide: a prospective, community-based study
- Creators
- Carolyn L Turvey - Department of Psychiatry, College of Medicine, University of Iowa, Iowa City, 52242-1009, USAYeates ConwellMichael P JonesCaroline PhillipsEleanor SimonsickJane L PearsonRobert Wallace
- Resource Type
- Journal article
- Publication Details
- The American journal of geriatric psychiatry, Vol.10(4), pp.398-406
- DOI
- 10.1097/00019442-200207000-00006
- PMID
- 12095899
- NLM abbreviation
- Am J Geriatr Psychiatry
- ISSN
- 1064-7481
- eISSN
- 1545-7214
- Publisher
- England
- Grant note
- K01-MH01964-01 / NIMH NIH HHS
- Language
- English
- Date published
- 07/2002
- Academic Unit
- Statistics and Actuarial Science; Psychiatry; Epidemiology; Biostatistics; Injury Prevention Research Center; Public Policy Center (Archive); Internal Medicine
- Record Identifier
- 9983985924702771
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