Psychological Factors Protecting Against Suicidality in Older Adults: A Systematic Review

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Main Authors: Hannah Maynard, James D. Gregory, Andrea Davies, John Fox
Format: Artículo Open Access
Published: Wiley 2024
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author Hannah Maynard
James D. Gregory
Andrea Davies
John Fox
author_facet Hannah Maynard
James D. Gregory
Andrea Davies
John Fox
Hannah Maynard
James D. Gregory
Andrea Davies
John Fox
collection Wiley Open Access
contents Psychological Factors Protecting Against Suicidality in Older Adults: A Systematic Review Hannah Maynard James D. Gregory Andrea Davies John Fox Clinical Psychology & Psychotherapy ABSTRACTObjectiveSuicide rates in older adults are often the highest of any age group, particularly among high income countries. However, there is a limited understanding of the factors that could protect against suicidality in older age. This systematic review aimed to identify and evaluate the psychological factors that protect against suicidality in older age.MethodAn a priori protocol was established and registered on PROSPERO (CRD42022343694). EMBASE, MEDLINE, PsycINFO, Web of Science and Scopus were searched. Papers were quality assessed using the Quality Assessment with Diverse Studies (QuADSs) tool. The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta‐Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines were followed. Seventeen papers were included and narratively synthesised.ResultsThe initial searches identified 10,673 records, resulting in the screening of 5441 records after the removal of duplicates. The protective factors identified were (1) meaning/purpose in life, (2) reasons for living, (3) coping styles, (4) psychological wellbeing, (5) life satisfaction, (6) personality factors, (7) cognitive functioning, and (8) sense of belonging. The factors with the most empirical support were meaning in life, followed by psychological wellbeing and coping responses, such as primary control strategies, and personality traits, such as positive affect and agency. There was also evidence to suggest that the influence of some protective factors, for example meaning in life, may depend upon stage in older life and gender.ConclusionThis review identified several psychological factors that have been found to protect against suicidal ideation in older adults, representing potential treatment targets for reducing suicide in older adults. Recommendations for future research includes greater use of longitudinal and case–control designs, measuring outcomes across the continuum of suicidality and using samples that allow comparison between younger and older adults and within the spectrum of old age. 10.1002/cpp.3029 http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
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spellingShingle Psychological Factors Protecting Against Suicidality in Older Adults: A Systematic Review
Hannah Maynard
James D. Gregory
Andrea Davies
John Fox
Clinical Psychology & Psychotherapy
Psychological Factors Protecting Against Suicidality in Older Adults: A Systematic Review Hannah Maynard James D. Gregory Andrea Davies John Fox Clinical Psychology & Psychotherapy ABSTRACTObjectiveSuicide rates in older adults are often the highest of any age group, particularly among high income countries. However, there is a limited understanding of the factors that could protect against suicidality in older age. This systematic review aimed to identify and evaluate the psychological factors that protect against suicidality in older age.MethodAn a priori protocol was established and registered on PROSPERO (CRD42022343694). EMBASE, MEDLINE, PsycINFO, Web of Science and Scopus were searched. Papers were quality assessed using the Quality Assessment with Diverse Studies (QuADSs) tool. The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta‐Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines were followed. Seventeen papers were included and narratively synthesised.ResultsThe initial searches identified 10,673 records, resulting in the screening of 5441 records after the removal of duplicates. The protective factors identified were (1) meaning/purpose in life, (2) reasons for living, (3) coping styles, (4) psychological wellbeing, (5) life satisfaction, (6) personality factors, (7) cognitive functioning, and (8) sense of belonging. The factors with the most empirical support were meaning in life, followed by psychological wellbeing and coping responses, such as primary control strategies, and personality traits, such as positive affect and agency. There was also evidence to suggest that the influence of some protective factors, for example meaning in life, may depend upon stage in older life and gender.ConclusionThis review identified several psychological factors that have been found to protect against suicidal ideation in older adults, representing potential treatment targets for reducing suicide in older adults. Recommendations for future research includes greater use of longitudinal and case–control designs, measuring outcomes across the continuum of suicidality and using samples that allow comparison between younger and older adults and within the spectrum of old age. 10.1002/cpp.3029 http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
title Psychological Factors Protecting Against Suicidality in Older Adults: A Systematic Review
topic Clinical Psychology & Psychotherapy
url https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/cpp.3029