Physical Health Problems As a Late-Life Suicide Precipitant: Examination of Coroner/Medical Examiner and Law Enforcement Reports

Background And Objectives: In light of high late-life suicide rates, we compared older suicide decedents with and without physical health problems as a suicide precipitant with respect to their clinical characteristics and suicide means. We also examined health-related concerns noted in summary coroner/medical examiner or law enforcement (CME/LE) reports.

Research Design And Methods: The National Violent Death Reporting System, 2005-2014, provided data (N = 16,924 aged 65 or older). Quantitative data were analyzed using logistic regression models with physical health problems as a suicide precipitant as the dependent variable and depressive symptoms, other precipitating/risk factors, and suicide means as the independent variables. CME/LE reports were analyzed using content analysis and descriptive statistics.

Results: Physical health problems were recorded as a suicide precipitant for 50% of the older decedents. Compared to those without, those with physical health problems as a precipitant were older and more likely to have had depressed mood (adjusted odds ratios [AOR] = 2.39, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 2.21-2.59 for men and AOR = 1.79, 95% CI = 1.50-2.14 for women), disclosed suicide intent, left a suicide note, and used a firearm as suicide means. In CME/LE reports, pain and cancer were mentioned most frequently (29% and 28%, respectively). Dementia-related functional decline, fear of becoming a burden to loved ones, refusal of nursing homes, and loss of independence were also mentioned.

Discussion And Implications: Study findings call for more targeted, intensive suicide prevention strategies for older adults suffering from debilitating and painful health conditions. Training health care providers and informal support systems to assess suicide risk and in evidence-based intervention plans/guidelines is needed.