The Influences of Perceived Stresses on Suicidal Ideation in Older Adults

Kim, Su Hyun; Choi, Yeon Hee

Abstract

PURPOSE: The purposes of the study were to understand the levels of older adults' perceived stresses in terms of family relationship, physical health, financial difficulty, death of family members, and household environment, and to identify the influences of the stresses on their suicidal ideation.
METHODS
The subjects were 302 older adults residing in Daegu, Korea. The data were collected by questionnaires between March and April 2007.
RESULTS
Older adults perceived the highest level of stress from the death of family members and had high levels of stresses from physical health, family relationships, financial difficulty, and household environment in order. The variables influencing suicidal ideation were stresses from family relationships, physical health, and financial difficulty.
CONCLUSION
Based on the findings, it is recommended that nurses provide in-depth screening of suicide risk for older adults who visit general health care settings through the identification of the levels of stresses in terms of family relationships, physical health, and financial difficulty. It is further suggested to provide collaborative interventions between primary health care providers and psychiatric professionals for suicide prevention and treatment in older adults.