4. Loneliness, hopelessness and social isolation
Examining attempted suicides of older Israelis, Sharlin et
al. (1997) described old age as a ‘time of multiple losses
of friends and family and often resulting in widowhood
and intense loneliness’ (p. 364). Sixty percent of older
Swedish suicide attempters studied by Wiktorsson et al.
(2010) reported feeling lonely, compared with 17.6% of
the individuals in the comparison group. Just over half
(58.4%) reported their situation as being hopeless. The
proportion reporting hopelessness was greater among
those with major depression (71.2%) than in those with
minor depression (31.8%). Elderly
Korean participants in the study
by Kim (2014) became sadder and
lonelier after their attempt because
they believed they were not understood
by their children. Participants
revealed a tension between
suppressing their suicidal intent
and not bringing reproach on their
children. Prior to their attempt,
participants in Crocker et al.
(2006) UK study experienced reduced visibility. This was
expressed through feelings of isolation, loneliness and a
general sense of being distanced from and less connected
with friends and loved ones. However some participants
still felt isolated in the presence of others. Lack of support
from services and poor community integration were
reported by Dennis et al. (2005) as important factors in
determining suicidal behaviour in older adults in the UK.
In addition to loneliness and social isolation, Gavrielatos
et al. (2006) reported circumstances of interpersonal
conflict or dependence, psychiatric history (particularly
depression), medical morbidities and polypharmacy.
Varying degrees of real or perceived incapacity in
different combinations were present in the majority of
the older attempters. This was significant in producing
vulnerability to and precipitating an overdose.