Loneliness among older adults associated with an increased risk of individuals wishing for their own death, a new study on ageing has found.
On Wednesday, new research from the Irish Longitudinal Study on Ageing (TILDA) at Trinity College Dublin was published, exploring social disconnection and its link to a ‘wish to die’ among older adults.
This involves thoughts of or wishes for one’s own death or that one would be better off dead. It is a commonly used indicator to capture death ideation, which is an important clinical marker for future suicidal behaviour.
According to the research, published in the peer-reviewed journal Frontiers in Public Health and based on responses from 8,000 community-dwelling adults, some 4 per cent reported feeling they would rather be dead in the month prior to the interview.
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A further 10 per cent exhibited clinically significant levels of depression, with loneliness being identified as a particularly important risk factor for death ideation.
However, the research also highlighted that participation in activities can help alleviate these feelings.
Regular attendance at religious services is an example of a prosocial activity that may protect older adults against loneliness, depression and death ideation, the study found.
Interventions addressing depression and anxiety, including cognitive behavioural therapy, may also help alleviate loneliness, it added.
Dr Mark Ward, senior research fellow at TILDA and lead author of the paper, said both loneliness and suicide among older adults have been increasing and “are now viewed as critical public health concerns”.
“This study clearly shows that loneliness in later life is associated with an increased risk of individuals wishing for their own death. This wish for death is often a precursor to suicidal thoughts and behaviours,” he said.
“On the other hand, prosocial behaviours, including attending religious services and other communal activities, protect against these negative thoughts about one’s own life. Uniquely, we also show that attending religious services regularly can protect against death ideation among older adults in Ireland. Our findings again highlight the importance of promoting social activities and networks to safeguard against loneliness and related psychological distress.”
Dr Robert Briggs, consultant geriatrician at St James’s Hospital and co-author of the study, said it demonstrates the “importance of addressing mental health concerns and maintaining social connectedness in later life”.
“‘Wish to Die’, which involves wishes for one’s own death or thoughts that one would be better off dead, is strongly linked with future suicide attempts. An enhanced focus on improving access to mental healthcare and addressing social isolation in older people should therefore be a priority for policymakers.”
Support for anyone in distress can be obtained by contacting the Samaritans on 116 123 or Pieta House on 1800 247 247. People can also text the word Help to Pieta House on 51444.
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