The Influences of Perceived Stresses on Suicidal Ideation in Older Adults.
- Author:
Su Hyun KIM
1
;
Yeon Hee CHOI
Author Information
1. College of Nursing, Kyungpook National University, Korea. suhyun_kim@knu.ac.kr
- Publication Type:Original Article
- Keywords:
Elderly, Stress, Suicide
- MeSH:
Adult;
Delivery of Health Care;
Family Characteristics;
Family Health;
Family Relations;
Humans;
Korea;
Mass Screening;
Primary Health Care;
Suicidal Ideation;
Suicide;
Surveys and Questionnaires
- From:Journal of Korean Academy of Adult Nursing
2008;20(2):200-208
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:Korean
-
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.
