Thesis
Social problem-solving as a moderator between the relationship of loneliness and suicidal behaviors in older adults
Master of Science (M.S.), Drexel University
Jun 2022
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.17918/00001136
Abstract
The rise in suicide risk among older adults is increasingly recognized as a significant public health concern. In response to the current trends, empirical investigation into specific factors that contribute to suicidal behaviors within this demographic remains imperative. Loneliness is a potential motivating phase factor, increasing the likelihood of suicidal ideation developing. Within the older adult population, loneliness and social problem-solving (SPS) ability have been independently linked to suicidality. The present study aimed to examine the relationship between loneliness and suicide ideation, in addition to determining whether SPS moderates this relationship between loneliness and suicide ideation. Self-report data were collected from 135 older adults who completed an online study using a crowdsourcing platform. The study included a demographic questionnaire and the following validated self-report measures: UCLA Loneliness Scale, Social Problem-Solving (SPS) Inventory-Short Form (SPSI-R), Brief Geriatric Suicide Ideation Scale (BGSIS), and a brief COVID-19 questionnaire. Validated by the study, loneliness, and SPS were both found to be significantly associated with suicide ideation. Also, as quantified, the results suggest the moderating role of SPS between loneliness and suicide ideation. The findings of this study demonstrate the potential importance of adaptive social problem-solving abilities in decreasing suicidal behaviors in older adults and provides a preliminary rationale for utilizing an Emotion-Centered Problem-Solving Therapy (EC-PST) treatment approach. This study adds to a larger literature base indicating that loneliness confers a unique risk for suicide among older adults that may be attenuated by social problem-solving abilities and may inform suicide prevention and treatment planning efforts.
Metrics
69 File views/ downloads
54 Record Views
Details
- Title
- Social problem-solving as a moderator between the relationship of loneliness and suicidal behaviors in older adults
- Creators
- Aliayah R. Himelfarb
- Contributors
- Arthur M. Nezu (Advisor)
- Awarding Institution
- Drexel University
- Degree Awarded
- Master of Science (M.S.)
- Publisher
- Drexel University; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
- Number of pages
- 8, 62 pages
- Resource Type
- Thesis
- Language
- English
- Academic Unit
- Psychological and Brain Sciences (Psychology); College of Arts and Sciences; Drexel University
- Other Identifier
- 991018527108904721