Citation

Canetto SS, Stice BD. Psychiatr. Danub. 2006; 18(Suppl 1): 70.

Affiliation

Colorado State University, Department of Psychology, 80523-1876, Fort Collins, CO, USA. scanetto@lamar.colostate.edu.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2006, Facultas Universitatis Studiorum Zagrabiensis - Danube Symposion of Psychiatry)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

16963972

Abstract

While suicide rates are highest among older adults in the United States, there is great variability depending on sex and ethnicity, and among countries. One theory is that this variability is influenced by variations in suicide meanings and perceived acceptability. This study aimed at exploring perceived causes of older adult suicide and its acceptability, depending on precipitant. Respondents (N = 300) aged 17 to 30 (83% European American) read a fictional obituary of a 71 year-old who died of suicide, either stated as a male or female. Respondents then indicated what they thought were the two most likely suicide precipitants and rated their attitudes towards the suicide under the selected conditions. Severe illness and death of a first-degree relative were ranked as the most likely precipitants. Less negative attitudes were found when the suicide was preceded by severe illness or by death of a close relative. Female respondents endorsed less negative attitudes towards a suicide precipitated by relationship break-up. These findings add to evidence that, among European Americans, suicide is relatively permissible under conditions of physical illness. Further, these findings offer insights on cultural issues in the prevention of suicidal behavior among older adults of European American descent.

Language: en