Citation

Mournet AM, Bower E, Van Orden KA. Clin. Gerontol. 2020; 43(1): 95-103.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2020, Informa - Taylor and Francis Group)

DOI

10.1080/07317115.2019.1650406

PMID

31397645

PMCID

PMC6923585

Abstract

OBJECTIVES: Functional impairment and social disconnection are risk factors for suicide in later life. This paper examines associations between domains of functional impairment and two forms of social disconnection that are empirically linked to suicide in later life - low (or thwarted) belonging and perceived burden on others.

METHODS: Participants are 62 older primary care patients (67.68% female, mean age = 72.05) who endorsed feeling lonely or like a burden. Participants completed self-report measures of low belonging and perceived burden (INQ-R) and domains of functional impairment (WHODAS 2.0) at a single time point.

RESULTS: Greater perceived burden was associated with greater impairment in activities of daily living ("self-care"), while greater thwarted belonging was associated with greater impairment in social functioning, when controlling for depressive symptoms and age. Domains of mobility, cognition and social participation were not associated with either belonging or perceived burden.

CONCLUSIONS: Impairment in self-care (ADLs) and social functioning may be more strongly associated with perceived burden and thwarted belonging than other domains of functional impairment.Clinical Implications: Considering specific domains of functional impairment - rather than functioning more broadly - may facilitate tailored interventions to target suicide risk.

Language: en

Keywords

Humans; Risk Factors; Aged; Female; Male; Middle Aged; disability; suicide; Aged, 80 and over; Suicidal Ideation; perceived burden; Disabled Persons; Self Report; Older adults; Loneliness; Interpersonal Relations; Activities of Daily Living; belonging; interpersonal theory of suicide; social connectedness; functional impairment