| When the solution is part of the problem: problem solving in elderly suicide attempters. | |
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MedLine Citation:
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PMID: 19405045 Owner: NLM Status: MEDLINE |
Abstract/OtherAbstract:
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OBJECTIVES: Depression, loss, and physical illness are associated with suicide in the elderly. However, the nature of individual vulnerability remains poorly understood. Poor problem solving has been suggested as a risk factor for suicide in younger adults. Unresolved problems may create an accumulation of stressors. Thus, those with perceived deficits in problem-solving ability may be predisposed to suicidal behavior. To test this hypothesis, we investigated whether elderly suicide attempters perceived their problem solving as deficient. METHODS: Sixty-four individuals aged 60 and older participated in the study including depressed suicide attempters, depressed non-attempters, and non-depressed controls. The social problem solving inventory-revised: short-version was used to measure participants' perceived social problem solving, assessing both adaptive problem-solving dimensions (positive problem orientation and rational problem solving) and dysfunctional dimensions (negative problem orientation, impulsivity/carelessness, and avoidance). RESULTS: Depressed elderly who had attempted suicide perceived their overall problem solving as deficient, compared to non-suicidal depressed and non-depressed elderly. Suicide attempters perceived their problems more negatively and approached them in a more impulsive manner. On rational problem solving and avoidant style sub-scales, suicide attempters did not differ from non-suicidal depressed. However, both depressed groups reported lower rational problem solving and higher avoidance compared to non-depressed controls. CONCLUSIONS: A perception of life problems as threatening and unsolvable and an impulsive approach to problem solving appear to predispose vulnerable elderly to suicide attempts. |
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Authors:
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Lawrence M Gibbs; Alexandre Y Dombrovski; Jennifer Morse; Greg J Siegle; Patricia R Houck; Katalin Szanto |
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Publication Detail:
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Type: Journal Article; Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural; Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't |
Journal Detail:
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Title: International journal of geriatric psychiatry Volume: 24 ISSN: 1099-1166 ISO Abbreviation: Int J Geriatr Psychiatry Publication Date: 2009 Dec |
Date Detail:
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Created Date: 2009-11-25 Completed Date: 2011-01-11 Revised Date: 2012-03-08 |
Medline Journal Info:
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Nlm Unique ID: 8710629 Medline TA: Int J Geriatr Psychiatry Country: England |
Other Details:
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Languages: eng Pagination: 1396-404 Citation Subset: IM |
Copyright Information:
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Copyright (c) 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. |
Affiliation:
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Western Psychiatric Institute and Clinic, Department of Psychiatry, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, USA. |
Export Citation:
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| MeSH Terms | |
Descriptor/Qualifier:
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Aged Aged, 80 and over Analysis of Variance Female Geriatric Assessment* Humans Male Middle Aged Problem Solving* Psychiatric Status Rating Scales Risk Factors Self Concept Social Problems* Suicide, Attempted / prevention & control, psychology* |
| Grant Support | |
ID/Acronym/Agency:
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K02 MH082998-04/MH/NIMH NIH HHS; K02 MH082998-05/MH/NIMH NIH HHS; K23 MH070471/MH/NIMH NIH HHS; K23 MH070471-05/MH/NIMH NIH HHS |
| Comments/Corrections | |
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