Citation

Zhang D, Yang Y, Sun Y, Wu M, Xie H, Wang K, Zhang J, Jia J, Su Y. Geriatr. Nurs. 2017; 38(5): 423-430.

Affiliation

School of Foreign Languages and Literature, Shandong University, Jinan, 250100, Shandong, China; School of Nursing, Shandong University, Jinan, 250012, Shandong, China. Electronic address: syg@sdu.edu.cn.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2017, Elsevier Publishing)

DOI

10.1016/j.gerinurse.2017.02.005

PMID

28347559

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Chinese rural elderly are at higher risk of committing suicide. However, little is known about the suicidal ideation (SI) of institutional elderly residents in rural China.

METHODS: 250 participants aged 60 or above living in Chinese rural nursing homes were recruited. Data were collected on subjects' SI, social-demographic characters, physical illness and psychological factors. Univariate comparisons and path analysis were conducted then.

RESULTS: 19.5% (40/205) of the participants reported a current SI. Hopelessness and depression had significant direct impacts on SI, and self-esteem and loneliness can impact SI through the mediating of depression and hopelessness. Visiting frequency of children, number of physical illnesses and social activities can also affect SI through the mediating of loneliness or self-esteem.

CONCLUSION: As the first study on path analysis of SI of rural institutional elderly, the findings are significant. All these factors in our model should be considered when interventions are being conducted.

Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Language: en

Keywords

Depression; Elderly; Hopelessness; Loneliness; Path analysis; Rural nursing home; Self-esteem; Suicidal ideation