Julie Lutz1, Amy Fiske2. 1. West Virginia University, Department of Psychology, Morgantown, WV, United States. Electronic address: jalutz@mix.wvu.edu. 2. West Virginia University, Department of Psychology, Morgantown, WV, United States; West Virginia University Injury Control Research Center, Morgantown, WV, United States.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Middle-aged and older adults have elevated rates of suicide around the globe, but there is a paucity of knowledge about risk factors for suicide in these age groups. One possible risk factor may be functional disability, which is more common at later ages. METHODS: The current systematic critical review examined findings regarding the associations between functional disability and suicidal behavior (suicidal ideation, suicide attempts, and death by suicide) in middle-aged and older adults (i.e. age 50 and older). RESULTS: Forty-five studies were found that examined these associations. The majority of studies supported a significant association between functional disability and suicidal ideation. In addition, findings to date strongly suggest that depression serves as a mediator of the association between functional disability and suicidal ideation, though most studies did not directly test for mediation. LIMITATIONS: Firm conclusions regarding suicide attempts and death by suicide, as well as mediation, cannot be drawn due to a relative lack of research in these areas. CONCLUSIONS: The association between functional disability and suicidal behavior suggests an important area for prevention and intervention among middle-aged and older adults, but additional research is necessary to clarify the specifics of these associations and examine appropriate intervention strategies. Important future directions for research in this area include the direct comparison of associations of risk factors with different types of suicidal behavior, greater use of longitudinal data with multiple time points, and further examination of potential mediators and moderators of the association between functional disability and suicidal behavior.
BACKGROUND: Middle-aged and older adults have elevated rates of suicide around the globe, but there is a paucity of knowledge about risk factors for suicide in these age groups. One possible risk factor may be functional disability, which is more common at later ages. METHODS: The current systematic critical review examined findings regarding the associations between functional disability and suicidal behavior (suicidal ideation, suicide attempts, and death by suicide) in middle-aged and older adults (i.e. age 50 and older). RESULTS: Forty-five studies were found that examined these associations. The majority of studies supported a significant association between functional disability and suicidal ideation. In addition, findings to date strongly suggest that depression serves as a mediator of the association between functional disability and suicidal ideation, though most studies did not directly test for mediation. LIMITATIONS: Firm conclusions regarding suicide attempts and death by suicide, as well as mediation, cannot be drawn due to a relative lack of research in these areas. CONCLUSIONS: The association between functional disability and suicidal behavior suggests an important area for prevention and intervention among middle-aged and older adults, but additional research is necessary to clarify the specifics of these associations and examine appropriate intervention strategies. Important future directions for research in this area include the direct comparison of associations of risk factors with different types of suicidal behavior, greater use of longitudinal data with multiple time points, and further examination of potential mediators and moderators of the association between functional disability and suicidal behavior.
Authors: Lisa C Barry; Emil Coman; Dorothy Wakefield; Robert L Trestman; Yeates Conwell; David C Steffens Journal: J Affect Disord Date: 2020-01-30 Impact factor: 4.839
Authors: Emelynne Gabrielly de Oliveira Santos; Paulo Roberto Queiroz; Aryelly Dayane da Silva Nunes; Kelly Graziani Giacchero Vedana; Isabelle Ribeiro Barbosa Journal: Int J Environ Res Public Health Date: 2021-06-17 Impact factor: 3.390
Authors: Julie Lutz; R Scott Mackin; Marcela C Otero; Ruth Morin; David Bickford; Duygu Tosun; Derek D Satre; Christine E Gould; J Craig Nelson; Sherry A Beaudreau Journal: Am J Geriatr Psychiatry Date: 2020-10-07 Impact factor: 7.996