Social disconnection correlates of a 'wish to die' among a large community-dwelling cohort of older adults
2024
Social Disconnection and the Wish to Die in Older Adults
Sample size: 8500
publication
Evidence: moderate
Author Information
Author(s): Ward Mark
Primary Institution: Trinity College Dublin
Hypothesis
Social disconnection is associated with a wish to die among older adults.
Conclusion
Social disconnection is strongly linked to a wish to die in older adults, with loneliness being a significant risk factor.
Supporting Evidence
- 4% of older adults reported a wish to die.
- Loneliness was identified as the strongest risk factor for a wish to die.
- Attendance at religious services was noted as a protective behavior.
Takeaway
Feeling lonely can make older people think about dying, but going to church or being with others can help them feel better.
Methodology
Cross-sectional analyses of social disconnection markers and their association with a wish to die.
Participant Demographics
Community-dwelling older adults aged 50 and above.
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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