Protective factors against suicidal ideation among community-dwelling older adults with experience of spousal physical abuse: focusing on direct and indirect protections

Abstract

Purpose of the Study: The current research investigated the impact of protective factors – problem-focused coping, emotion-focused coping, having as a confidant either family or friends, and social support from friends – on suicidal ideation among older adults using Wisconsin Longitudinal Study (WLS) data. This study also investigated the indirect effects of protective factors on suicidal ideation (hereafter SI) as mediated by depressive symptoms among older adults who have experienced physical abuse from a spouse or romantic partner.

Method: Data from The Wisconsin Longitudinal Study (WLS) were used. The sampled respondents were 475 men and women ages 64 to 65 who reported a history of being physically abused by a spouse or romantic partner. A path analysis using Mplus was employed to identify protective factors against SI.

Results: Problem-focused coping and social support had negative indirect effects on SI as mediated by depressive symptoms. Emotion-focused coping had positive direct and indirect effects on SI.

Conclusion: Tailored services to boost protective factors and regular screening tests are imperative to reduce depressive symptoms and SI among older adults who have experienced spousal or romantic partner physical abuse

Keywords:

• Suicidal ideation
• direct and indirect effects of protective factors
• community-dwelling older adults
• spouse/partner physical abuse

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.