Factors related to Chinese older adults suicidal thoughts and attempts

Hong Li, Ling Xu, Iris Chi

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

Objectives: Guided by the biopsychosocial framework and empirical evidence, this study examined protective and risk factors of older adults suicidal thoughts and attempts during the previous month, 12 months, and 5 years.Method: The data used in this study were extracted from the Sample Survey on Aged Population in Urban/Rural China conducted in 2006, which included 15,957 older adults from mainland China. Multiple penalized logistic regressions were used to conduct the analyses.Results: During the previous month, 12 months, and 5 years, 5.1‰, 10.0‰, and 17.7‰ of older adults indicated that they thought about suicide, whereas 2.2‰, 3.5‰, and 6.3‰ reported suicidal attempts, respectively. Older adults age, financial strain, functional limitations, depression, children's filial piety, social network, loneliness, and urban residence were significantly related to suicidal thoughts during the different time periods. In addition, older adults religious affiliation, depression, loneliness, and urban residence were significantly related to suicidal attempts during the different time periods.Conclusion: Older adults suicidal thoughts and attempts need to be assessed by mental health care professionals and primary care doctors. Programs addressing these important protective and risk factors may help reduce older adults suicidal thoughts and attempts.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)752-761
Number of pages10
JournalAging and Mental Health
Volume20
Issue number7
DOIs
StatePublished - Jul 2 2016

Keywords

  • mainland China
  • older adults
  • suicidal attempts
  • suicidal thoughts

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Phychiatric Mental Health
  • Gerontology
  • Geriatrics and Gerontology
  • Psychiatry and Mental health

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