referred to as ‘baby boomers’ are now entering older
adulthood. When compared with earlier or subsequent
birth cohorts, they have had a relatively higher rate of suicide.
Consequently, a substantial increase in the absolute
number of deaths of older people by suicide is expected
(Conwell et al., 2011). Therefore, it
is timely that we address gaps in
knowledge so that we can provide
effective care and support to a
population who possess a historically
high susceptibility to suicide.
The major aim of this review is to
build on the work of Draper (1996)
and Chan et al. (2007) by identifying
and critically reviewing
research studies which examined
the attempted suicides of older people. Because no single
risk factor can explain suicide attempts in older people,
a theory of suicide offers a multifaceted framework from
which to advance our understanding of this phenomenon
and develop effective interventions (Stanley et al. 2015).
Inherent in the biopsychosocial model of suicide is recognition
of the relative contributions of biological, psychological
and social factors (Bryan & Rudd, 2011). Drawing
on the specific recommendation of Chan et al. (2007) for
future research in the field, quantitative and qualitative
studies examining the interaction of biological, psychological
and social factors within the suicidal process were
of key interest.