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Cited by 152Suicide and Self-Harm StudiesAging, Health, and DisabilityHealth disparities and outcomes

A meta-analytic review on social relationships and suicidal ideation among older adults

Chang, Qingsong, Chan, Chee Hon, Yip, Paul S.F.·2017·Social Science & Medicine
DOI 10.1016/j.socscimed.2017.09.003
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Abstract

Social relationships play an important role in mental health as well as suicidal ideation in later life. In contrast with the other well-established risk factors, despite an increasing number of related studies, no meta-analyses focusing on social relationships and late-life suicidal ideation have been published. Synthesis of data across the studies using different measurements of social relationships would allow for comparison of the effects on late-life suicidal ideation that have not been studied before. Therefore, we conducted a meta-analysis on the studies published between January 1, 2000 and November 31, 2016 extracted from 7 medical and social science databases. 31 studies with 83 estimates of Odds Ratios ("ORs") on the associations between social relationships and late-life suicidal ideation were identified to compute effect sizes using a random-effect model. Sensitivity analyses were also performed to evaluate their heterogeneity and bias. Moderator analyses were further conducted to determine moderating factors of the associations. Eventually, across the 31 studies (203,152 participants), the overall random effect size was OR = 1.57(95% CI [1.40, 1.76]), indicating a 57% likelihood increase of suicidal ideation for elderly participants with discordant social relationships. The functional measures (OR = 1.77; 95%CI [1.48, 2.10]) of social relationships, however, were more predictive than structural measures (OR = 1.37; 95%CI [1.25, 1.51]). Among all the measures of social relationships, elderly mistreatment (OR = 2.31; 95%CI [1.81, 2.94]) had the strongest effect size, followed by perceived loneliness (OR = 2.24; 95%CI [1.73, 2.90]) and poorly perceived social support (OR = 1.59; 95% CI [1.37, 1.83]). The associations between social relationships and late-life suicidal ideation were moderated by country income levels, social-cultural context, study types, and various measurements of social relationships. More importantly, our study is the first meta-analysis to provide significant evidence for improving social relationships, especially in perceived bonds, is a promising strategy in reducing late-life suicide risks.

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Authors
Chang, Q., Chan, C. H., & Yip, P. S. F.
Affiliations
  • University of Hong Kong (HK)
  • Hong Kong Jockey Club (HK)
Corresponding author
Yip, Paul S.F.
ORCID
Venue
Social Science & Medicine
Publisher
Elsevier BV
Published
2017-10
Volume
191
Pages
65-76
ISSN
0277-9536 (ISSN-L)
DOI
10.1016/j.socscimed.2017.09.003
OpenAlex
W2753460245
Cited by
152
References
78
Citations by year
2026: 13 · 2025: 25 · 2024: 31 · 2023: 10 · 2022: 19 · 2021: 15 · 2020: 20 · 2019: 10 · 2018: 9
FWCI
13.10
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
closed
Licence
www.elsevier.com/tdm/userlicense/1.0/ (tdm)
Locations
  • Social Science & Medicine (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • RePEc: Research Papers in Economics (submittedVersion)
  • The HKU Scholars Hub (University of Hong Kong) (submittedVersion)
Funders
General Research Grant (17117816, 201409176256)
Topics
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Suicide and Self-Harm Studies
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health › Aging, Health, and Disability
  • Social Sciences › Health › Health disparities and outcomes
Keywords
interpersonal relationships, suicidal ideation, older adults, loneliness, social support, elder abuse, sociocultural context
MeSH terms
Aged, Aged, 80 and over, Female, Humans, Interpersonal Relations, Male, Social Support, Suicidal Ideation

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