Clinical Correlates and Predictors of Suicide Attempt Severity in Elderly Patients: A Cross-Sectional Study from South India

Authors

• Rajamani Siddamallappa, Farookh Academy of Medical Education Hospital and Research Institute Mysore, KarnatakaFollow
• Kiran Kumar Kadarappa Dr, Vydehi Institute of Medical Sciences & Research Centre, BengaluruFollow
• Megha C N, VYDEHI INSTITUTE OF MEDICAL SCIENCES AND RESEARCH CENTREFollow

Author ORCID Identifier

https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3435-1867

https://orcid.org/0009-0005-1743-9305

Corresponding Author

Dr Kiran Kumar K Professor and Head, Department of Psychiatry, Vydehi Institute of Medical Sciences and Research Centre Bengaluru, Karnataka, India Email: [email protected] Phone: 9886496528

ORCiD iD - 0000-0002-3435-1867

Abstract

Background: Suicide in late life is a major yet under-recognized public health problem in low- and middle-income countries. Elderly suicidal behaviour reflects interactions between psychiatric morbidity, substance use, psychological distress, intent, and method selection. Indian data examining these factors comprehensively remain limited.

Objectives: To assess psychiatric morbidity, hopelessness, suicide intent, planning patterns, methods, and independent predictors of suicide attempt severity among elderly suicide attempters.

Methods: This cross-sectional study included 75 elderly individuals (≥60 years) admitted following a suicide attempt to a tertiary care hospital in South India. Depression severity, hopelessness, and suicide intent were assessed using Beck’s Depression Inventory-21 (BDI-21), Beck’s Hopelessness Scale (BHS), and Beck’s Suicide Intent Scale (BSIS). Psychiatric diagnoses were made using DSM-5 criteria. Statistical analyses included appropriate parametric and non-parametric tests and multivariable logistic regression.

Results: Depression was highly prevalent (85.3%), with predominantly moderate-to-severe severity and no significant association with demographic variables. Alcohol dependence was present in one-third of the sample and was associated with higher hopelessness and planned suicide attempts. Hopelessness correlated strongly with depression severity (r=0.71, pp=0.005) and alcohol dependence (adjusted OR=5.23, p=0.012) independently predicted suicide attempt severity.

Conclusion: Elderly suicide attempts are characterized by high depressive burden, significant hopelessness, deliberate planning, and the contributory role of alcohol dependence. Hopelessness is the strongest independent predictor of suicide severity, highlighting the need for comprehensive psychosocial assessment in late-life suicide prevention.

Publication Date

2026

Publisher

JSS Academy of Higher Education & Research

Conflict of Interest

None

Keywords

Elderly suicide; depression; hopelessness; alcohol dependence; suicide intent; India

Word Count

2261

Comments

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Recommended Citation

Siddamallappa R, Kadarappa KK Dr, C N M. Clinical Correlates and Predictors of Suicide Attempt Severity in Elderly Patients: A Cross-Sectional Study from South India. Digital Journal of Clinical Medicine. 2026; 8(2): -. doi: https://doi.org/10.55691/2582-3868.1311

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 4.0 License.

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