For several years, I have been looking into the connection between elder abuse and suicide and suicidal behavior in the aged. Along the way I have made two very minor contributions to the limited literature on the topic. In May, I'm presenting on the subject at a suicide prevention conference. The propositions underlying my planned remarks are:
• Abused elders die by suicide in indeterminate numbers.
• Elder abuse increases risk of self-harm and suicide.
• Suicide in abused elders is related to elder abuse.
• Suicide risk in abused elders is overlooked.
• Awareness of suicide risk in abused elders is negligible.
• Elder abuse research ignores suicide; elder suicide research ignores elder abuse.
I'd appreciate any comments on the pertinence and/or validity of these points as well as any relevant citations that I may have missed.
Thanks!
Dear Tony Salvatore,
I definetly agree with your points, however, I would like to add that suicide in general, suicide in elderly is also religion related phenomenon. More religious elders do not commit suicide in spite of abuse, with the fear of being sinful.
Also have a look at the links:
http://agris.fao.org/agris-search/search.do?recordID=KR2011003650
https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/the-british-journal-of-psychiatry/article/suicide-and-religion/043882DA1BA91B7EACA132C84A5B6F6E
Thank you for your comments. Religion and spirituality may certainly be buffers against suicide.
Afraa: Thank you for your comment, Regrettably, in the US at least, the abused and neglected elderly get less attention and protection than other age groups
Elders who engage in self-neglect may develop “passive” suicidality and suicidal intent.
https://online.csp.edu/blog/forensic-scholars-today/elder-abuse-suicidal-behavior
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