A PSYCHOLOGICAL AUTOPSY OF OLDER ADULTS: CHRONIC DYSPNEA AND SUICIDAL IDEATION IN ELDERLY MEN.
Contributors: Rush University, College Of Nursing.
Published: 1992
Number of pages: 114
Subjects: Health Sciences, Mental Health.; Health Sciences, Nursing.; Psychology, General.
Description: The purpose of this study was to explore the relationship between chronic dyspnea, suicide and suicidal ideation in elderly men. Five variables associated with dyspnea such as intense anxiety, generalized anxiety, depression, life restriction and cognitive impairment, were examined to determine the relationship between chronic dyspnea and suicidal ideation in elderly men. Theoretical support for this study was drawn from propositions about dyspnea and suicide from psychology, sociology, psychiatry, and philosophy. The psychological autopsy method was used to compare elderly men with chronic dyspnea who died by suicide to living controls.

A sample of 14 older adult men was drawn from the Cook County, IL, Medical Examiner's Office and a sample of 14 older adult men was drawn from four pulmonary out-patient services in Chicago or nearby suburbs. Participants ranged in age from 61-93 years. Data analysis included descriptive statistics, Mann-Whitney tests, and Pearson correlations.

Five hypotheses tested dyspnea and suicidal ideation as dependent variables. Dyspnea was positively associated with life restriction. No relationships were found between dyspnea and intense anxiety, generalized anxiety, and cognitive impairment. Correlational analysis did not support an association between dyspnea and depression, but did support a relationship between suicidal ideation and depression and intense anxiety. No relationships were noted between suicidal ideation and other variables. Diagnostic variables which measure degree of physiological impairment were not associated with intense anxiety, generalized anxiety, depression, life restriction or cognitive impairment. These findings were examined for their implications for research and practice. Recommendations were made for further research related to chronic dyspnea and suicide.
Notes: Source: Dissertation Abstracts International, Volume: 53-08, Section: B, page: 4024.

Thesis (D.N.SC.)--RUSH UNIVERSITY, COLLEGE OF NURSING, 1992.

School code: 0591.