Older Adults' Responses to Suicide Assessment Measures
Author Information
Author(s): Colombowala Fatema, Bower Emily
Primary Institution: Pacific University
Hypothesis
There would be a positive relationship between responses to the two assessments for suicidal ideation and death ideation.
Conclusion
Older adults show different response patterns to suicide assessment measures, indicating a need for better tools to detect suicide risk.
Supporting Evidence
- 62% of participants endorsed lifetime suicidal ideation.
- 12% endorsed past-month suicidal ideation.
- CSSRS lifetime and past-month suicidal ideation scores were strongly correlated with GSIS suicidal ideation subscale scores.
- CSSRS past-month death ideation scores were not correlated with GSIS death ideation subscale scores.
- Some participants denied death ideation on the CSSRS but endorsed GSIS death ideation items.
Takeaway
This study looked at how older people answer questions about feeling suicidal, and found that they sometimes respond differently than expected.
Methodology
Participants completed the Geriatric Suicide Ideation Scale and the Columbia Suicide Severity Rating Scale.
Potential Biases
Potential bias in self-reporting and clinician assessments.
Limitations
The study's sample size was small and may not represent all older adults.
Participant Demographics
Participants had a mean age of 70 years, with 78% being female.
Statistical Information
P-Value
<0.001
Statistical Significance
p<0.001
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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