Suicidal vulnerability in older adults and the elderly: study based on risk variables
Metadata
Show full item recordEditorial
Cambridge University Press
Materia
Suicide attempt Risk Epidemiology Healthcare protocols Old age
Date
2022-04-01Referencia bibliográfica
Sánchez-Teruel, D., Robles-Bello, M., & Sarhani-Robles, A. (2022). Suicidal vulnerability in older adults and the elderly: Study based on risk variables. BJPsych Open, 8(3), E77. doi:[10.1192/bjo.2022.42]
Abstract
Background
Predicting suicidal vulnerability based on previous risk factors
remains a challenge for mental health professionals, especially in
specific subpopulations.
Aims
This study aimed to use structural equation modelling to assess
which sociodemographic and clinical variables are most predictive
and modulating of repeated self-injury or reattempts at
suicide in older adults and the elderly with previous attempts.
Method
We obtained digital data for 619 people (N = 342; 55.3% women),
aged 50–96 years (mean 71.2 years, s.d. 3.65), who presented to
the emergency department with a repeated self-injury or suicide
attempt. Data were collected from several public and private
hospitals in southern Spain.
Results
There were different sociodemographic and clinical profiles
between people who repeat self-injury and those who reattempt
suicide. In addition, we show that outcome variables may directly
or indirectly modulate these behaviours.
Conclusions
The study findings provide only a limited insight into suicidal
vulnerability in older people, and there is an urgent need for
specific care protocols for the prevention of repeated self-injury
or reattempts at suicide that are adapted to the psychosocial
characteristics of this age group. There is also a need to improve
social and health alert actions for older adults and the elderly
who present with suicide risk profiles, and the presence of
mental health professionals in hospital emergency departments
should be improved.