Citation

Bickford D, Morin RT, Nelson JC, Mackin RS. Clin. Gerontol. 2019; ePub(ePub): ePub.

Affiliation

Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Center for Imaging of Neurodegenerative Diseases , San Francisco , California , USA.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2019, Informa - Taylor and Francis Group)

DOI

10.1080/07317115.2019.1666442

PMID

31514586

Abstract

Objectives: Perceived stress is emerging as a potential contributing factor in suicide-related ideation in older adults. We hypothesized higher levels of perceived stress would be associated with increased self-reported suicidal ideation independent of depressive symptom severity. Methods: This study used data from community-dwelling older adults aged ≥65 with a current diagnosis of major depression. Eligible participants completed measures of depression symptom severity (Hamilton Depression Rating Scale-17 item), current suicidal ideation (Geriatric Suicide Ideation Scale), and perceived stress (Perceived Stress Scale). Results: Participants were 225 older adults with a mean age of 71.4 (SD = 5.6). Sixty-five percent of the sample was female. Fifteen percent of the variance in suicidal ideation was accounted for by lower education (p =.03), male sex (p =.03) and higher current perceived stress (p <.001). Specifically, stress accounted for 12% of the variance. Conclusions: Perceived stress is an important avenue to increase identification of individuals with a higher risk of suicide-related ideation among older adults with a current diagnosis of major depression. Clinical Implications: Screening for perceived stress may allow for improved screening and prevention of suicidal activity in depressed older adults.

Language: en

Keywords

Aging; GSIS; PSS; ideation; mood assessment; screening tests; stress; suicide