Predictors of Suicide-related Ideation Among Older Adults: Exploring the Role of Impulsivity
Year: 2008
Type: dissertation
Study design: Observational Study
Abstract: Research has demonstrated that impulsivity is strongly associated with suicide-related ideation and behaviour among young adults.To date, however, the potential importance of impulsivity as a predictor of suicide-related ideation in later life has yet to be determined.The current study set out to examine impulsivity, hopelessness, depressive symptomatology and socio-demographic factors vis-a-vis suicide-related ideation among a sample of older adults using both hierarchical regression and canonical correlation.A national sample was recruited from multiple sources for this study over a I-year period (N = 117).Canonical correlation analysis showed that the impulse to self-harm may be more pronounced among older adults less likely to present as typically depressed.The findings of this study further suggest that impulsivity is more broadly associated with suicide-related ideation than hopelessness, and that screening for impulsivity as well as hopelessness may increase clinicians' ability to identify older adults at greatest risk for self-harm.
Source: Summit (Simon Fraser University)
Author: Eva Neufeld
Language: English
Subfield: Clinical Psychology
Field: Psychology
Domain: Social Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W2157742549