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Alone? Percieved social support and chronic interpersonal difficulties in suicidal elders

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  15 December 2009

Katrin E. Harrison ,
Alexandre Y. Dombrovski ,
Jennifer Q. Morse ,
Patricia Houck ,
Maryann Schlernitzauer ,
Charles F. Reynolds III  and
Katalin Szanto
Katrin E. Harrison
Affiliation:
Western Psychiatric Institute and Clinic, Department of Psychiatry, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pittsburgh, U.S.A.
Alexandre Y. Dombrovski*
Affiliation:
Western Psychiatric Institute and Clinic, Department of Psychiatry, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pittsburgh, U.S.A.
Jennifer Q. Morse
Affiliation:
Western Psychiatric Institute and Clinic, Department of Psychiatry, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pittsburgh, U.S.A.
Patricia Houck
Affiliation:
Western Psychiatric Institute and Clinic, Department of Psychiatry, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pittsburgh, U.S.A.
Maryann Schlernitzauer
Affiliation:
Western Psychiatric Institute and Clinic, Department of Psychiatry, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pittsburgh, U.S.A.
Charles F. Reynolds III
Affiliation:
Western Psychiatric Institute and Clinic, Department of Psychiatry, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pittsburgh, U.S.A.
Katalin Szanto
Affiliation:
Western Psychiatric Institute and Clinic, Department of Psychiatry, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pittsburgh, U.S.A.
*
Correspondence should be addressed to: Alexandre Y. Dombrovski, MD; 3811 O'Hara Street; 754 Bellefield Tower; Pittsburgh, PA, 15213, U.S.A. Phone: +1 412-246-6143; Fax: +1 412-246-5991. Email: dombrovskia@upmc.edu.
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Abstract

Background: Social networks may protect depressed elders against suicidal behavior. However, conflict in important relationships may undermine the sense of social support, potentially negating the protective effects. Thus, we investigated the role of chronic interpersonal difficulties and perceived social support in depressed elders with and without suicidal thoughts and attempts.

Methods: 106 individuals aged 60 years and older participated in this cross-sectional, case-control study. They were placed in three groups: suicidal depressed, non-suicidal depressed and non-depressed. Following a detailed clinical characterization, we assessed perceived social support (Interpersonal Support Evaluation List), and chronic interpersonal difficulties (Inventory of Interpersonal Problems). Using general linear models, we explored the relationship between suicidal thoughts/attempts, social support, and chronic interpersonal difficulties. We also examined whether lower perceived social support explained the relationship between chronic interpersonal difficulties and suicidal thoughts/attempts.

Results: Suicidal depressed elders reported the lowest levels of perceived social support (belonging, tangible support, and self-esteem) and higher levels of chronic interpersonal difficulties (struggle against others and interpersonal hostility), compared to both non-suicidal depressed and non-depressed elders. The relationship between chronic interpersonal difficulties and suicidal behavior was partially explained by low perceived social support.

Conclusions: The experience of strong affects, interpersonal struggle, and hostility in relationships may undermine the sense of social support in depressed elders, possibly leading them to contemplate or attempt suicide. Depressed elders with a history of interpersonal difficulties need to be carefully monitored for suicidal behavior.

Keywords

agedaged 80 and oversuicideattempted suicidesocial isolationsocial supportinterpersonal relationspersonalitypsychological stress
Type
Research Article
Information
International Psychogeriatrics , Volume 22 , Issue 3 , May 2010 , pp. 445 - 454
Copyright
Copyright © International Psychogeriatric Association 2009

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