This article is more than 5 years old. Information may no longer be current.

Older adults more likely to disclose suicide intent

Adults aged 70 years and older were more likely to disclose their intent to commit suicide compared with their peers aged 50 to 59 years.

“Findings that depressed mood, health problems and other stressors were associated with increased odds of disclosure indicate that suicide may have been prevented by providing the services needed to alleviate these problems,” Namkee G. Choi, PhD, of the University of Texas, Austin, said in a press release. “Health care providers need better preparation to screen and aid those in need to prevent suicide.”

To determine age-group differences in associations between suicide intent disclosure and mental and physical health, researchers analyzed data from the National Violent Death Reporting Systems for 2005 to 2014.

Overall, 23.4% of participants disclosed suicide intent.

Logistic regression analyses indicated depressive mood (adjusted OR = 1.57; 95% CI, 1.5-1.65) and health problems (aOR = 1.56; 95% CI, 1.48-1.64) were associated with increased likelihood of suicide intent disclosure.

Participants aged 70 to 79 years and 80 years and older were more likely to disclose suicide intent compared with those aged 50 to 59 years.

Health problems were associated with increased likelihood of suicide intent disclosure among participants aged 60 to 69 years (aOR = 1.19; 95% CI, 1.06-1.34), 70 to 79 years (aOR = 1.29; 95% CI, 1.13-1.48) and 80 years and older (aOR = 1.41; 95% CI, 1.2-1.66).

Firearm use and hanging/suffocation were associated with lower likelihood to disclose suicide intent.

“Because disclosing suicide intent provides an opportunity to prevent suicide and offer assistance in coping with stressors, the study findings have important clinical implications for increasing disclosure and preventing suicide among older adults,” Choi said in the release. “High late-life suicide rates in a rapidly aging society call for more effective ways to identify older adults at risk and provide prevention and intervention services.” – by Amanda Oldt

Disclosures: The authors report no relevant financial disclosures.