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The relation between social isolation and increasing suicide rates in the elderly

The relation between social isolation and increasing suicide rates in the elderly
The relation between social isolation and increasing suicide rates in the elderly
Suicidal attempts and thoughts are particularly relevant to the health of the elderly and can impact not only the individual, but family, friends and spouses as well. This topic is important for the gerontological research community, particularly as it relates to social isolation and the feeling of loneliness, common in this population group. The purpose of this paper is to investigate new knowledge about the relationship between an increased risk of suicide in the elderly and social isolation or loneliness. An extensive search was conducted to find relevant studies to answer the research question. Database research was done in PubMed and PsycINFO for relevant studies within the last 10 years. The title and abstract of relevant articles were screened before the full-text was acquired.
In PubMed 163 studies were identified, and in PsycINFO 66 studies were identified. After a thorough screening, nine studies were found to be appropriate for this study.
It is not clear which risk factor leads to an increase in suicidal thoughts and attempts, however most studies contemplated loneliness and isolation as a covariant. A causal link between the concepts is not simple. Nevertheless, loneliness and isolation seem to be relevant factors for suicidal ideations.
Suicide, loneliness, risk factor, social isolation, aged, Suicidal ideation
1471-7794
2
Heuser, Christoph
cb53406b-3b29-4a68-b755-9766c9161186
Howe, Jürgen
44725551-3978-4c57-a50c-befbcbfbb01d
Heuser, Christoph
cb53406b-3b29-4a68-b755-9766c9161186
Howe, Jürgen
44725551-3978-4c57-a50c-befbcbfbb01d

Heuser, Christoph and Howe, Jürgen (2019) The relation between social isolation and increasing suicide rates in the elderly. Quality in Ageing and Older Adults, 20 (1), 2. (doi:10.1108/QAOA-06-2018-0026).

Record type: Article

Abstract

Suicidal attempts and thoughts are particularly relevant to the health of the elderly and can impact not only the individual, but family, friends and spouses as well. This topic is important for the gerontological research community, particularly as it relates to social isolation and the feeling of loneliness, common in this population group. The purpose of this paper is to investigate new knowledge about the relationship between an increased risk of suicide in the elderly and social isolation or loneliness. An extensive search was conducted to find relevant studies to answer the research question. Database research was done in PubMed and PsycINFO for relevant studies within the last 10 years. The title and abstract of relevant articles were screened before the full-text was acquired.
In PubMed 163 studies were identified, and in PsycINFO 66 studies were identified. After a thorough screening, nine studies were found to be appropriate for this study.
It is not clear which risk factor leads to an increase in suicidal thoughts and attempts, however most studies contemplated loneliness and isolation as a covariant. A causal link between the concepts is not simple. Nevertheless, loneliness and isolation seem to be relevant factors for suicidal ideations.

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More information

Published date: 10 April 2019
Keywords: Suicide, loneliness, risk factor, social isolation, aged, Suicidal ideation

Identifiers

Local EPrints ID: 446800
URI: http://eprints.soton.ac.uk/id/eprint/446800
ISSN: 1471-7794
PURE UUID: 368a8173-4dd8-477c-a2d1-a127b4f439da
ORCID for Christoph Heuser: ORCID iD orcid.org/0000-0002-7235-097X

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Date deposited: 23 Feb 2021 17:31
Last modified: 17 Mar 2024 04:04

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Author: Jürgen Howe

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