Suicide among older adults: An exploration of the effects of personality and self-esteem on thwarted belongingness, perceived burdensomeness, and suicidal ideation
Year: 2016
Type: article
Study design: Observational Study
Abstract: Suicide among older adults is a global public health concern.The interpersonal psychological theory of suicide (IPTS) has demonstrated that Thwarted Belongingness (TB) and Perceived Burdensomeness (PB) are significant predictors of suicidal ideation (SI).Though much research has been done on SI and factors that contribute to TB and PB, there is little empirical data exploring how these factors are connected to personality traits and self-esteem.This correlational study explored the relationships and predictive ability of normal and abnormal personality traits (i.e., Five Factor Model -FFM, DSM-5 Personality Disorder traits), and self-esteem on PB and TB in a sample of 102 adults 60 years or older.All five FFM traits were significantly correlated with SI, TB, and PB, and nine of the 10 PD traits correlated significantly with SI, TB, and SI.Linear models using FFM and PD traits as predictors were significantly predictive of SI, TB, and PB.Results from this study confirm that there is an important relationship between personality and SI and that this relationship may be mediated through TB and PB.This study also confirmed that there is a significant negative relationship between self-esteem, SI, TB, and PB.Together, results from this study can be used to fill gaps in the literature related to personality, self-esteem, and SI among older adults.This knowledge will have important public health and clinical implications as it can be used to improve screening and treatment for older adults experiencing-or at risk for-SI.
Author: Allison Eades
Language: English
Subfield: Clinical Psychology
Field: Psychology
Domain: Social Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W2510845441