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Cited by 98Suicide and Self-Harm StudiesGrief, Bereavement, and Mental HealthHomicide, Infanticide, and Child Abuse

Giving up or finding a solution? The experience of attempted suicide in later life

Crocker, L., Clare, L., Evans, K.·2006·Aging & Mental Health
DOI 10.1080/13607860600640905
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Abstract

Older people constitute one of the highest risk groups for suicide. Existing research in this area has been largely dominated by a risk factor approach. This is of limited usefulness since only a minority of those at risk go on to make an attempt. Therefore, prediction, prevention and the management of risk remain challenging. The present study aimed to capture the subjective experience of older people who had recently made a suicide attempt through exploring their understanding of the pathway to and from this attempt, within the context of ageing. Fifteen participants were interviewed. Transcripts were analysed using Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis. Three broad themes emerged--Struggle (experiencing life as a struggle before and after the attempt, and in relation to growing older), Control (trying to maintain control over life before the attempt, and following it either failing or succeeding to regain control) and Visibility (feeling invisible or disconnected from others and trying to fight against this before the attempt and either becoming more or less connected afterwards). Risk factors identified in the literature were often absent or construed by participants as not relevant to their attempt. Individual accounts highlight the diversity and complexity of experience of older people who attempt suicide.

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Crossref · 10.1080/13607860600640905

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  • In a qualitative study set in Britain, participants aged 65 and above described feeling disconnected to their surroundings prior to their suicidal act.

    “In a qualitative study set in Britain, participants (aged 65 and above) described feeling disconnected to their surroundings prior to their suicidal act.”

    From A systematic review of social factors and suicidal behavior in older adulthood (2012) · cites this paper as [62]

  • For some participants in the British qualitative study, successful coping after the act meant becoming more connected and more visible to others.

    “For some, successful coping after the act meant becoming more connected and more visible to others [62].”

    From A systematic review of social factors and suicidal behavior in older adulthood (2012) · cites this paper as [62]

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Authors
Crocker, L., Clare, L., & Evans, K.
Affiliations
  • Camden and Islington NHS Foundation Trust (GB)
  • Bangor University (GB)
  • Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust (GB)
Corresponding author
Crocker, L.
ORCID
Clare, L.
Venue
Aging & Mental Health
Publisher
Informa UK Limited
Published
2006-11
Volume
10
Issue
6
Pages
638-647
ISSN
  • 1360-7863 (ISSN-L)
  • 1364-6915
DOI
10.1080/13607860600640905
OpenAlex
W2114273382
Cited by
98
References
41
Citations by year
2026: 6 · 2025: 2 · 2024: 8 · 2023: 7 · 2022: 1 · 2021: 9 · 2020: 4 · 2019: 3 · 2018: 6 · 2017: 6 · 2016: 8 · 2015: 10 · 2014: 4 · 2013: 5 · 2012: 5
FWCI
3.69
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
closed
Locations
  • Aging & Mental Health (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
Topics
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Suicide and Self-Harm Studies
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Grief, Bereavement, and Mental Health
  • Social Sciences › Sociology and Political Science › Homicide, Infanticide, and Child Abuse
Keywords
suicide attempts, older adults, subjective experience, aging, risk factors, suicide prevention, perceived control, social connectedness, lived experience
MeSH terms
Aged, Aged, 80 and over, Aging, Attitude to Death, Attitude to Health, Female, Humans, Internal-External Control, Interview, Psychological, Life Change Events, London, Male, Quality of Life, Self Concept, Suicide, Attempted, Personal Autonomy, Value of Life, Narration, Qualitative Research, Drug Overdose

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