Older adults' attitudes toward suicide: are there race and gender differences?

Suicide among older persons in the United States is a major problem that has increased dramatically during the past decade. Little is known about older nonsuicidal adults' attitudes toward suicide. The purpose of this study was to identify attitudes of older persons toward suicide and to explore the relationship of race and gender to attitudes toward suicide. The Suicide Attitude Vignette Experiences for the Elderly (SAVE-L) scale, which consists of 16 vignettes, was used to measure empathy toward suicidal people and agreement with suicidal actions as portrayed in 16 vignettes. The sample consisted of 54 low-income, inner city residents, aged 65 or older. Participants reported a moderate level of empathy with suicidal behavior (M = 2.82 on a 5-point scale) and a low level of agreement with suicidal actions (M = 1.31 on a 5-point scale). There were no differences in empathy toward suicidal people nor in agreement with suicidal people's actions based on race (African American or White) or gender; nor was there a significant interactional effect of race and gender on attitudes toward suicide.