OLDER ADULTS MAKE SENSE OF THEIR SUICIDAL BEHAVIOR - A SWEDISH INTERVIEW STUDY - Interview study on older adults’ interpretations and post-attempt changes

Sep 29, 2026

Study examining how adults aged 70+ understood a recent suicidal act and what changed afterward. Two interviews included four women and five men aged 71–91 receiving care at a Swedish geriatric psychiatric outpatient clinic; interpretative phenomenological analysis guided interpretation. Suicidal behavior was linked to losses in physical and cognitive function, social roles, and relationships that undermined prior coping, alongside perceived indifference from healthcare providers. Reported outcomes varied: prior ideation and trigger insights supported positive change, while lack of explanation predicted none, with findings highlighting impulsivity and potential ageism. Larger cross-cultural studies are needed.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryResearch & Report

FormatPDF

Pages1

Reading Time3 min

AccessFree to download

Background and aim

Methods

Participants and setting

Analytical approach

Findings

Losses and coping breakdown

Perceived healthcare responses

After-effects: positive change versus none

Impulsivity and ageism

Implications and future research

798 Innovation in Aging, 2025, Vol. 9, No. S2 Abstract citation ID: igaf122.2709 OLDER ADULTS MAKE SENSE OF THEIR SUICIDAL BEHAVIOR: A SWEDISH INTERVIEW STUDY Sara Hed1, Anne Ingeborg Berg1, Stefan Wiktorsson1, Jennifer Strand1, Silvia Sara Canetto2, and Margda Waern1, 1. University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Vastra Gotaland, Sweden, 2. Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado, United States This study explored how older adults (70+) understood a recent suicidal act, and what changed in the aftermath. Four women and five men (71-91 years) receiving care at a geriatric psychiatric outpatient clinic in Sweden took part in two interviews. Most of the women and none of the men had engaged in prior suicidal acts. Interpretative phenomenological analysis was employed. The suicidal act was explained as a response to losses in physical and cognitive functions, social roles and relationships that rendered previous coping strategies unviable. Participants reported being dependent on a healthcare system that they experienced as indifferent and even dismissive of their suffering. The suicidal act was described as an unplanned act of despair. Positive changes followed for participants who reported having had suicidal ideation prior to the suicidal act and had insights into its triggers. Some gained access to needed medical care; others developed greater awareness of their psychological needs and improved coping skills. Individuals who said that they had not had suicidal thoughts prior to the suicidal act and could not explain it reported no positive change in the aftermath. Participants’ age-related losses were in many cases exacerbated by negative interactions with health care providers, indicating that continued attention needs to be given to implicit ageism in medical professionals. The suicidal acts were described as impulsive, which was unexpected because a dominant belief is that older adult suicidal behavior is planned. Older adult suicide planning should be addressed in larger studies across geographical and cultural settings.

FAQs

What did older adults report as the main reasons behind the suicidal act?

Participants explained the act as a response to losses in physical and cognitive functions, social roles, and relationships that made earlier coping strategies unviable.

How was the study conducted?

Four women and five men aged 71–91 receiving geriatric psychiatric outpatient care in Sweden completed two interviews, analyzed using interpretative phenomenological analysis.

What kinds of outcomes were described after the suicidal act?

Positive changes were reported by participants who had prior suicidal ideation and could identify triggers, such as gaining access to needed medical care or improving coping and awareness of psychological needs.

Sep 29, 2026

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