title: Sense of belonging as a predictor of reasons for living in older adults.
abstract: In response to the high rate of suicide among aging people, this study investigated sense of belonging as a predictor of reasons for living in an aged sample. A community sample of 104 Australians aged 61 to 95 years completed The Reasons for Living Inventory and The Sense of Belonging Instrument. Results indicated that a higher sense of belonging predicted more reasons to live overall, and child-related concerns, responsibility to family, and survival and coping beliefs, specifically. Future research should investigate if the enhancement of a sense of belonging among older adults is associated with an increase in reasons for living.
authors.affiliation: University of Ballarat, Ballarat, Australia.
authors.forename: Melissa
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kissane
authors.forename: Suzanne
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: McLaren
mesh_terms: D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001315:Australia; D006801:Humans; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D009042:Motivation; D010549:Personal Satisfaction; D012649:Self Concept; D012944:Social Support; D013405:Suicide / Q000523:psychology; D000092864:Suicide Prevention