The effects of social and psychological factors on suicidal ideation in elderly people living alone: A cross-sectional correlational study

Purpose: This study aimed to categorize the factors related to suicidal ideation among elderly individuals living alone into social and psychological levels. By gradually incorporating these levels, the study aimed to clarify the influence of significant factors. Methods: This study adopted cross-sectional correlational methods. The study sampled 154 elderly people aged over 65 years and living alone. Using hierarchical regression analysis, SPSS 26.0 analyzed the impact of sociological factors (social support, experiences of elderly discrimination, social participation) and psychological factors (self-esteem, depression, sense of isolation) on suicidal ideation among elderly individuals living alone. Results: The results of the significance tests for the regression coefficients in the final model indicated that social support (β=-.17, p<.05), self-esteem (β=-.39, p<.001), depression (β=.22, p<.001), and sense of isolation (β=.39, p<.001) significantly impacted suicidal ideation. This regression model had an explanatory power of about 59.2%. Conclusion: This study suggests the importance of identifying various social resources for elderly individuals living alone and exploring supportive measures tailored to individual circumstances. By predicting social risk factors that elderly individuals may face and preventing exposure to negative psychological states, early detection and intervention may reduce suicidal ideation, ultimately contributing to integrated community care policies that enhance the quality of life for elderly individuals living alone.