Written in Fate: Nepali Older Adults' Understanding of Suicide.

IF 2.4 3区医学 Q3 GERIATRICS & GERONTOLOGY

Clinical Gerontologist Pub Date : 2025-08-03 DOI:10.1080/07317115.2025.2541765

Pralhad Adhikari, Taneile Kitchingman, Clifford Lewis, Suzanne McLaren

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引用次数: 0

Abstract

Objectives: This study aimed to explore Nepali older adults' understanding of suicide and its solutions.

Methods: Focus groups were conducted to understand culturally appropriate ways to start conversations about suicide with Nepali older adults. Informed by the focus group findings, 24 interviews were then conducted with older adults in rural and urban areas.

Results: Thematic analysis resulted in three key themes: 1) meanings of suicide (damnation, fate, unnatural death, dishonor), 2) causes of suicide (lack of social support, limited resources, declining functioning, impaired cognition, mental pain, bad deeds), and 3) solutions (family/friends support, governmental/community role).

Conclusions: Cultural beliefs have shaped the perception of suicide among Nepali older adults. Their belief in fate can be a barrier to preventing suicide. However, their belief that suicide results in bad afterlife consequences can be exploited to potentially prevent it. Moreover, older adults thought that suicide prevention involves roles for family, community, and government.

Clinical implications: Interventions designed to increase mental health literacy and to capitalize on the practice of mindfulness associated with local religions may help to prevent suicide among Nepali older adults. Moreover, community resources should be available to assess the risks of suicide and offer support to vulnerable older adults.

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《命运：尼泊尔老年人对自杀的理解》。

目的：本研究旨在探讨尼泊尔老年人对自杀的理解及解决方法。方法：进行焦点小组，以了解文化上适当的方式与尼泊尔老年人开始谈论自杀。根据焦点小组的调查结果，随后对农村和城市地区的老年人进行了24次访谈。结果：主题分析得出三个关键主题：1)自杀的意义（诅咒、命运、非自然死亡、耻辱），2)自杀的原因（缺乏社会支持、资源有限、功能衰退、认知受损、精神痛苦、不良行为），以及3)解决方案（家庭/朋友支持、政府/社区角色）。结论：文化信仰影响了尼泊尔老年人对自杀的看法。他们对命运的信仰可能成为阻止自杀的障碍。然而，他们相信自杀会导致不好的来世后果，这可以用来潜在地预防自杀。此外，老年人认为预防自杀涉及家庭、社区和政府的角色。临床意义：旨在提高心理健康素养和利用与当地宗教相关的正念实践的干预措施可能有助于预防尼泊尔老年人的自杀。此外，应该提供社区资源来评估自杀风险，并向脆弱的老年人提供支持。

本文章由计算机程序翻译，如有差异，请以英文原文为准。

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来源期刊

Clinical Gerontologist GERIATRICS & GERONTOLOGY-PSYCHIATRY

CiteScore

6.20

自引率

25.00%

发文量

审稿时长

>12 weeks

期刊介绍： Clinical Gerontologist presents original research, reviews, and clinical comments relevant to the needs of behavioral health professionals and all practitioners who work with older adults. Published in cooperation with Psychologists in Long Term Care, the journal is designed for psychologists, physicians, nurses, social workers, counselors (family, pastoral, and vocational), and other health professionals who address behavioral health concerns found in later life, including: -adjustments to changing roles- issues related to diversity and aging- family caregiving- spirituality- cognitive and psychosocial assessment- depression, anxiety, and PTSD- Alzheimer’s disease and other neurocognitive disorders- long term care- behavioral medicine in aging- rehabilitation and education for older adults. Each issue provides insightful articles on current topics. Submissions are peer reviewed by content experts and selected for both scholarship and relevance to the practitioner to ensure that the articles are among the best in the field. Authors report original research and conceptual reviews. A unique column in Clinical Gerontologist is “Clinical Comments." This section features brief observations and specific suggestions from practitioners which avoid elaborate research designs or long reference lists. This section is a unique opportunity for you to learn about the valuable clinical work of your peers in a short, concise format.