title: The interrelations of agency, depression, and suicidal ideation among older adults.
abstract: The high rates of suicide among older men are cause for concern, and have prompted the investigation of factors that might explain these elevated rates. The current research examined whether the gender role construct agency was associated with depression and suicidal ideation among older adults. The results, based on self-report data from a sample of older Australian men (n = 69) and women (n = 90), indicated that depression mediated the relation between agency and suicidal ideation. In addition, for older men only, agency moderated the depression-suicidal ideation relation. The results suggest that older adults, and particularly men, with low levels of agency should be the targets for interventions aimed at increasing levels of agency and improving mental health.
authors.affiliation: School of Behavioral & Social Science & Humanities, University of Ballarat, Mt. Helen, Victoria, Australia.
authors.forename: Mitchell
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Hobbs
authors.forename: Suzanne
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: McLaren
mesh_terms: D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000928:Antidepressive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002605:Character; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007389:Internal-External Control; D008297:Male; D010555:Personality Inventory / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011594:Psychometrics; D055500:Resilience, Psychological; D012307:Risk Factors; D012649:Self Concept; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D013406:Suicide, Attempted / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D014739:Victoria
chemical_list: D000928:Antidepressive Agents