Suicide Risk among the Octogenarian Age Group: A Comparative Study

Abstract

Objective: We aimed to investigate the factors that affect the likelihood of suicide in the elderly, with a focus on individuals aged 80 and older.

Method: This is a cross-sectional study conducted in 7 nursing homes in the Manisa province, Turkiye. The data has been collected through face-toface using a socio-demographic data form, the life satisfaction scale, and the suicide probability scale. Data were analyzed using IBM SPSS Statistics 26.0, non-parametric statistical methods have been employed.

Results: The study included 278 elderly participants, 5 outliers were removed from the analysis. Among the included elderly participants (n=273), the anger score averages of males were higher. Low, high, and moderate income were found to have a higher suicide probability respectively. Those who resided in a nursing home for 3 years or more had higher anger scores. Elderly individuals residing in publicly funded nursing homes had higher averages in suicide probability, negative self, exhaustion, and anger scores. Further analyses were performed among the octogenarian population (n=149). Octogenarian males had higher scores in Suicide Probability, Disconnection from Life, and Anger Scale than the female octagenarian participants. Octogenarians with low income were found to experience a lack of attachment to life and higher levels of anger. In publicly funded nursing homes, octogenarians had higher suicide probability and anger scores compared to those in private nursing homes.

Conclusion: The risk of suicide in octogenarians should be taken seriously. Factors such as gender, income level, and type of nursing home can influence this risk.