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Citation |
Heisel MJ, Links PS, Conn D, van Reekum R, Flett GL. Am. J. Geriatr. Psychiatry 2007; 15(9): 734-741. |
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Affiliation |
Departments of Psychiatry and of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, The University of Western Ontario, and Lawson Health Research Institute, London, Ontario, Canada (MJH); the Center for the Study and Prevention of |
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Copyright |
(Copyright © 2007, American Association for Geriatric Psychiatry, Publisher Elsevier Publishing) |
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DOI |
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PMID |
17804827 |
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Abstract |
Objective: Narcissistic personality (NP) has been implicated as a potential vulnerability factor for late-life suicide. The present study investigated whether NP increases vulnerability to suicidal ideation and behavior among geriatric depression day-hospital patients. Methods: Using a retrospective database analysis, the authors examined demographic data, diagnostic information, and scores on self-report (Geriatric Depression Scale [GDS]) and clinician-rated depression measures (Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression [HAM-D]), for 608 geriatric psychiatry patients 65 years or older. Results: Of the 538 patients meeting study inclusion criteria, 20 had NP, defined as either narcissistic personality disorder (n = 13) or narcissistic personality traits (n = 7). Patients with NP were rated significantly higher on the HAM-D suicide item than those without NP, controlling for age, sex, depression (GDS), and cognitive functioning. Conclusion: Findings suggest that NP may be a clinical marker of elevated suicide risk among depressed older adults. Clinicians are advised to assess the presence of self-pathology and its potential impact upon psychological functioning in depressed older patients, and to incorporate discussions of life transitions into therapeutic work with those at-risk for suicide. Language: en |