Suicidal ideation and its correlates among elderly in residential care homes.
OBJECTIVE
The highest suicide rates are found among the elderly, therefore suicidal ideation is prevalent in long-term care facilities. Despite these facts and multiplying losses, most residents show no signs of suicidal ideation. There is a lack of information on which factors protect against suicidal thoughts among the elderly. The aim of this pilot study was to assess the prevalence and correlates of suicidal ideation with risk and protective factors among older residential care home residents in Vienna.


METHODS
This cross-sectional study was conducted in 15 Viennese residential care homes. Participants completed a self-report questionnaire containing sociodemographic factors, physical health, mental health, and protective factors like optimistic attributional style, self-efficacy, and internal locus of control as well as satisfaction with life and were finally asked about active and passive suicidal thoughts and behaviors.


RESULTS
With the voluntary participation of 129 residents aged 60 years or more, active suicidal ideation during the last month was identified in 7% of the elderly, 11% reported active suicidal ideation during the past year. Primarily, we found that protective factors like internal locus of control, self-efficacy, and satisfaction with life were important single predictors of active suicidal ideation during the past month. Depressive symptoms and current psychotherapeutic treatment were additionally important predictors.


CONCLUSIONS
Suicidal ideation is prevalent in Viennese residential care homes; consequently it is necessary to recognize and treat suicidal ideation in an adequate way. Our findings suggest that research and prevention strategies could not merely target risk, but also include protective factors.
Malfent
Daniela
D
Centre for Public Health, Institute for Medical Psychology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria.
Wondrak
Tanja
T
Kapusta
Nestor D
ND
Sonneck
Gernot
G
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000928:Antidepressive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001317:Austria / Q000453:epidemiology; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000628:therapy; D005260:Female; D006304:Health Status; D006707:Homes for the Aged / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D007389:Internal-External Control; D008297:Male; D009735:Nursing Homes / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D010549:Personal Satisfaction; D010865:Pilot Projects; D015995:Prevalence; D011788:Quality of Life; D012307:Risk Factors; D020377:Self Efficacy; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D059020:Suicidal Ideation; D013405:Suicide / Q000523:psychology*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
D000928:Antidepressive Agents