METHOD
Search Strategy Our aim in integrating both quantitative and qualitative research findings was to maximize the empirical content by adopting a pluralistic approach to data collection and analysis (Feyerabend, 1995). According to Malterud
(2002), both types of approaches require systematic and reflective development of new knowledge and each process is subject to inspection and challenge. Firstly, a broad search of Google Scholar was conducted using the keywords attempted suicide (and) elderly from 1990–2014. This preliminary search revealed 33 published research studies within the first 150 citations, providing the researchers with a broad scoping of the field. Regarding the
nomenclature used to identify relevant studies, there
has been a significant lack of consistency in the terminology
and definitions adopted which describe suicidal
behaviour over the last twenty years. The use of multiple
terms to indicate similar behaviour such as ‘parasuicide’,
‘attempted suicide’ and ‘deliberate self-harm’ has resulted
in confusion, although renewed international debate
to address these issues is in progress (Arensman, 2015).
Secondly, we conducted an exhaustive search of the database