Article: Attempted suicide in elderly Chinese persons: A multi-group, controlled study

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TitleAttempted suicide in elderly Chinese persons: A multi-group, controlled study
AuthorsTsoh, J3
Chiu, HFK3
Duberstein, PR2
Chan, SSM3
Chi, I1
Yip, PSF1
Conwell, Y2
Issue Date2005
PublisherLippincott Williams & Wilkins. The Journal's web site is located at http://ajgp.psychiatryonline.org/
CitationAmerican Journal Of Geriatric Psychiatry, 2005, v. 13 n. 7, p. 562-571 [How to Cite?]
DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1176/appi.ajgp.13.7.562
AbstractObjective: Attempted suicide in later life is under-researched despite its public health significance. In this study, the authors delineated the characteristics of elderly suicide attempters in a representative Chinese sample by comparing them with suicide completers and comparison subjects age 65 years or over who were randomly selected from the community. Methods: There were 224 subjects in this study: 66 suicide attempters, 67 suicide completers, and 91 comparison subjects from the community. Using a case-control design and standardized measuring instruments, authors examined the risk and protective factors associated with attempted suicide, making direct comparisons with the community-comparison subjects and suicide completers. Results: A current diagnosis of major depression was associated with a nearly 60-fold increased risk for attempted suicide, and a population attributable risk (PAR) of 67%. Other risk factors included past suicide attempts, poorer function of self-care, arthritis, and specific personality dispositions, particularly low Conscientiousness. Co-residence with children decreased risk. Although the profiles of suicide attempters and completers were similar, they could be distinguished by suicide intent, recent life events (particularly hospitalization), functional competence, religious denomination, and personality characteristics. Conclusions: A high degree of clinical vigilance and multidisciplinary collaboration are required in the management of elderly suicide attempters. The treatment of depression should form a crucial part of the prevention program. Features that distinguish suicide completers from suicide attempters may also carry implications for the secondary prevention of suicide in elderly persons. © 2005 American Association for Geriatric Psychiatry.
ISSN1064-7481
2011 Impact Factor: 3.638
2011 SCImago Journal Rankings: 0.246
DOIhttp://dx.doi.org/10.1176/appi.ajgp.13.7.562
ISI Accession Number IDWOS:000230427100004
ReferencesReferences in Scopus
DC Field
Value
dc.contributor.authorTsoh, J
dc.contributor.authorChiu, HFK
dc.contributor.authorDuberstein, PR
dc.contributor.authorChan, SSM
dc.contributor.authorChi, I
dc.contributor.authorYip, PSF
dc.contributor.authorConwell, Y
dc.date.accessioned2010-09-06T09:34:47Z
dc.date.available2010-09-06T09:34:47Z
dc.date.issued2005
dc.description.abstractObjective: Attempted suicide in later life is under-researched despite its public health significance. In this study, the authors delineated the characteristics of elderly suicide attempters in a representative Chinese sample by comparing them with suicide completers and comparison subjects age 65 years or over who were randomly selected from the community. Methods: There were 224 subjects in this study: 66 suicide attempters, 67 suicide completers, and 91 comparison subjects from the community. Using a case-control design and standardized measuring instruments, authors examined the risk and protective factors associated with attempted suicide, making direct comparisons with the community-comparison subjects and suicide completers. Results: A current diagnosis of major depression was associated with a nearly 60-fold increased risk for attempted suicide, and a population attributable risk (PAR) of 67%. Other risk factors included past suicide attempts, poorer function of self-care, arthritis, and specific personality dispositions, particularly low Conscientiousness. Co-residence with children decreased risk. Although the profiles of suicide attempters and completers were similar, they could be distinguished by suicide intent, recent life events (particularly hospitalization), functional competence, religious denomination, and personality characteristics. Conclusions: A high degree of clinical vigilance and multidisciplinary collaboration are required in the management of elderly suicide attempters. The treatment of depression should form a crucial part of the prevention program. Features that distinguish suicide completers from suicide attempters may also carry implications for the secondary prevention of suicide in elderly persons. © 2005 American Association for Geriatric Psychiatry.
dc.description.natureLink_to_subscribed_fulltext
dc.identifier.citationAmerican Journal Of Geriatric Psychiatry, 2005, v. 13 n. 7, p. 562-571 [How to Cite?]
DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1176/appi.ajgp.13.7.562
dc.identifier.doihttp://dx.doi.org/10.1176/appi.ajgp.13.7.562
dc.identifier.epage571
dc.identifier.hkuros110669
dc.identifier.isiWOS:000230427100004
dc.identifier.issn1064-7481
2011 Impact Factor: 3.638
2011 SCImago Journal Rankings: 0.246
dc.identifier.issue7
dc.identifier.openurl
dc.identifier.scopuseid_2-s2.0-27144445336
dc.identifier.spage562
dc.identifier.urihttp://hdl.handle.net/10722/87815
dc.identifier.volume13
dc.languageeng
dc.publisherLippincott Williams & Wilkins. The Journal's web site is located at http://ajgp.psychiatryonline.org/
dc.publisher.placeUnited States
dc.relation.ispartofAmerican Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry
dc.relation.referencesReferences in Scopus
dc.rightsAmerican Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry. Copyright © Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.
dc.titleAttempted suicide in elderly Chinese persons: A multi-group, controlled study
dc.typeArticle
Author Affiliations
  1. The University of Hong Kong
  2. University of Rochester
  3. Chinese University of Hong Kong