TY  - JOUR
PY  - 2011//
TI  - Understanding Why Older People Develop a Wish to Die
JO  - Crisis
A1  - Rurup, M. L.
A1  - Pasman, H. R. W.
A1  - Goedhart, J.
A1  - Deeg, D. J. H.
A1  - Kerkhof, A. J. F. M.
A1  - Onwuteaka-Philipsen, B. D.
SP  - 204
EP  - 216
VL  - 32
IS  - 4
N2  - Background: Quantitative studies in several European countries showed that 10-20% of older people have or have had a wish to die. Aims: To improve our understanding of why some older people develop a wish to die. Methods: In-depth interviews with people with a wish to die (n = 31) were carried out. Through open coding and inductive analysis, we developed a conceptual framework to describe the development of death wishes. Respondents were selected from two cohort studies. Results: The wish to die had either been triggered suddenly after traumatic life events or had developed gradually after a life full of adversity, as a consequence of aging or illness, or after recurring depression. The respondents were in a situation they considered unacceptable, yet they felt they had no control to change their situation and thus progressively "gave up" trying. Recurring themes included being widowed, feeling lonely, being a victim, being dependent, and wanting to be useful. Developing thoughts about death as a positive thing or a release from problems seemed to them like a way to reclaim control. Conclusions: People who wish to die originally develop thoughts about death as a positive solution to life events or to an adverse situation, and eventually reach a balance of the wish to live and to die.<p />  <p>Language: en</p>
LA  - en
SN  - 0227-5910
UR  - http://dx.doi.org/10.1027/0227-5910/a000078
ID  - ref1
ER  -