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Suicide Among Young-Old And Old-Old Adults: Interactions Between Age, Social Isolation, And Physical Illness

Hernandez, Silvia C
http://orcid.org/0000-0001-8349-8542
http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=case1544205405031949

Abstract Details

2019, Master of Arts, Case Western Reserve University, Psychology.
Older adults are at high risk for suicide compared to younger adults and differential risk factors may also exist across older adulthood. This study aimed to understand key risk factors for young-old (65-75 years old) and old-old (75+ years old) adults by testing a biopsychosocial framework using a psychological autopsy method. Correlational results indicated that hopelessness, depression, and negative attitude about physical health directly contributed to elderly suicide. While a more objective assessment of physical illness was associated with advanced age, it did not increase suicide risk. Advanced age was also associated with social isolation, which was significantly related with hopelessness, depression, and negative attitude about health. Multivariate analyses suggested that hopelessness fully mediates the relationships between isolation, negative attitude about health, depression, and suicide. Hopelessness and depression greatly contribute to suicide. Negative health attitudes may be an elderly-specific risk factor, while social isolation may increase risk for old-old adults.
James Overholser, PhD (Committee Chair)
Norah Feeny, PhD (Committee Member)
Arin Connell, PhD (Committee Member)
106 p.
Aging; Clinical Psychology; Gerontology; Psychology
Elderly suicide; suicide; older adults; aging; hopelessness; depression; social isolation; physical illness; physical health; SEM; Structural equation modeling; biopsychosocial framework; psychological autopsy

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • Hernandez, S. C. (2019). Suicide Among Young-Old And Old-Old Adults: Interactions Between Age, Social Isolation, And Physical Illness [Master's thesis, Case Western Reserve University]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=case1544205405031949

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • Hernandez, Silvia. Suicide Among Young-Old And Old-Old Adults: Interactions Between Age, Social Isolation, And Physical Illness. 2019. Case Western Reserve University, Master's thesis. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=case1544205405031949.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • Hernandez, Silvia. "Suicide Among Young-Old And Old-Old Adults: Interactions Between Age, Social Isolation, And Physical Illness." Master's thesis, Case Western Reserve University, 2019. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=case1544205405031949

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)

case1544205405031949
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© 2018, all rights reserved.
This open access ETD is published by Case Western Reserve University School of Graduate Studies and OhioLINK.