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Sense of coherence in elderly suicide attempters: the impact of social and health-related factors

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  01 March 2011

Madeleine Mellqvist ,
Stefan Wiktorsson ,
Erik Joas ,
Svante Östling ,
Ingmar Skoog  and
Margda Waern
Madeleine Mellqvist*
Affiliation:
Department of Psychiatry and Neurochemistry, Neuropsychiatric Epidemiology Unit, Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, Sahlgrenska Academy at the University of Gothenburg, Sweden
Stefan Wiktorsson
Affiliation:
Department of Psychiatry and Neurochemistry, Neuropsychiatric Epidemiology Unit, Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, Sahlgrenska Academy at the University of Gothenburg, Sweden
Erik Joas
Affiliation:
Department of Psychiatry and Neurochemistry, Neuropsychiatric Epidemiology Unit, Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, Sahlgrenska Academy at the University of Gothenburg, Sweden
Svante Östling
Affiliation:
Department of Psychiatry and Neurochemistry, Neuropsychiatric Epidemiology Unit, Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, Sahlgrenska Academy at the University of Gothenburg, Sweden
Ingmar Skoog
Affiliation:
Department of Psychiatry and Neurochemistry, Neuropsychiatric Epidemiology Unit, Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, Sahlgrenska Academy at the University of Gothenburg, Sweden
Margda Waern
Affiliation:
Department of Psychiatry and Neurochemistry, Neuropsychiatric Epidemiology Unit, Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, Sahlgrenska Academy at the University of Gothenburg, Sweden
*
Correspondence should be addressed to: Madeleine Mellqvist, MSc, Neuropsychiatric Epidemiology Unit, Neuropsychiatry SU/Mölndal, Wallinsgatan 6, SE 431 41 Mölndal, Sweden. Phone: +46 (0) 31 343 86 50; Fax: +46 (0) 31 776 04 03. Email: [email protected].
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Abstract

Background: An association between sense of coherence (SOC) and suicidal behavior has been suggested. The aim of this study was to identify factors associated with low SOC in elderly suicide attempters.

Methods: Eighty non-demented hospital-treated suicide attempters aged 70 years and older (38 men, 42 women, mean age 79.4 years) took part in an interview with a research psychologist and completed the 29-item SOC questionnaire. The interview included questions regarding social situation and health-related factors. The Comprehensive Psychopathological Rating Scale (CPRS) provided symptom ratings that were used in a diagnostic algorithm for DSM-IV major depression. The Cumulative Illness Rating Scale for Geriatrics (CIRS-G) was used to identify individuals with serious physical illness.

Results: There was a strong relationship between major depression and SOC. While we could show no relationship between severe physical illness and SOC, associations were demonstrated with social variables including too little time spent with children, too little time spent with grandchildren and having moved within the past five years. These associations remained significant in regression models adjusted for sex, age and major depression.

Conclusions: A number of social variables were independently related to SOC in elderly suicide attempters. Prospective studies are needed in order to determine whether SOC-strengthening interventions can reduce the risk of suicidal behavior in seniors.

Keywords

sense of coherencesuicide attempterselderlydepressionfamily relationships
Type
Research Article
Information
International Psychogeriatrics , Volume 23 , Issue 6 , August 2011 , pp. 986 - 993
Copyright
Copyright © International Psychogeriatric Association 2011

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