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Suicide at 50 years of age and older: perceived physical illness, family discord and financial strain

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  14 January 2004

P. R. DUBERSTEIN ,
Y. CONWELL ,
K. R. CONNER ,
S. EBERLY  and
E. D. CAINE
P. R. DUBERSTEIN
Affiliation:
Center for the Study and Prevention of Suicide, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, NY, USA
Y. CONWELL
Affiliation:
Center for the Study and Prevention of Suicide, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, NY, USA
K. R. CONNER
Affiliation:
Center for the Study and Prevention of Suicide, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, NY, USA
S. EBERLY
Affiliation:
Center for the Study and Prevention of Suicide, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, NY, USA
E. D. CAINE
Affiliation:
Center for the Study and Prevention of Suicide, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, NY, USA
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Abstract

Background. Mental disorders amplify suicide risk across the lifecourse, but most people with mental disorder do not take their own lives. Few controlled studies have examined the contribution of stressors to suicide risk.

Method. A case–control design was used to compare 86 suicides and 86 controls aged 50 years and older, matched on age, gender, race and county of residence. Structured interviews were conducted with proxy respondents for suicides and controls.

Results. Perceived physical illness, family discord and employment change amplified suicide risk after controlling for sociodemographic covariates and mental disorders that developed [ges ]1 year prior to death/interview. Only the effect of physical illness (OR 6·24, 95% CI 1·28–51·284) persisted after controlling for all active mental disorders.

Conclusions. Interventions to decrease the likelihood of financial stress and to help families manage discord and severe physical illness may effectively reduce suicides among middle-aged and older adults.

Type
Research Article
Information
Psychological Medicine , Volume 34 , Issue 1 , January 2004 , pp. 137 - 146
Copyright
2004 Cambridge University Press

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