A Study on the Factors that Associated with Attempting Suicide in Middle and Old Age

This study is aimed to investigate the relationship between suicidal intent and patient characteristics in middle age and elderly patients. A cross sectional study on 300 patients aged ≥45 in poisoning ward of Loghman hospital in 1388 were established. Data were collected by: questionnaire on Demographic data, Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) and Beck Scale for Suicidal Ideation (BSSI). The results were analyzed using SPSS and chi 2 and t-test. Data support some Main causes of attempted suicide as follows:family conflicts, financial problems, physical and mental diseases, substance abuse and husband’s violence. A significant relationship between depression and suicidal thought were found (P<0.05). The mean scores of elderly patients were more than middle- aged patients, but relation between suicidal thought among two groups were not statistically significant (P>0.05). Depression and suicidal thought are risk factors for suicidal attempt, for this reason need delivering treatment and preventive programs like bio-psycho-social health of middle- aged and elderly factors.