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The influence of limitation in activity of daily living and physical health on suicidal ideation: results from a population survey of Great Britain

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Abstract

Background

Studying suicidal ideation (SI) has methodological advantages over examining completed suicide and may provide useful insight into suicidal behaviour. SI is not only strongly associated with mental disorder (particularly depression), but also disability. This article explores the relationship between SI and disability in greater detail.

Methods

In the survey of psychiatric morbidity in Great Britain, 8,580 randomly selected adults were interviewed. Three questions were asked to assess SI, and a set of questions identified ADL limitation.

Results

Data was available on SI and ADL limitation in 8,513 of those surveyed. The independent association between SI and specific ADL limitations was greatest in older people. The strength of association between SI and ADL limitation increased with the number of domains of ADL affected and was of similar magnitude for most individual domains. In those with limitation in ADL, limited social support remained independently associated with SI.

Conclusions

Disability is an important independent correlate of suicidal ideation, particularly in older people. Preventative programmes need to be considered for disabled older people.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Psychiatry for Older People, School of Medicine, Swansea University, Grove Building, Singleton Park, Swansea, SA2 8PP, UK

    Michael Dennis

  2. Psychiatry for the Elderly, Dept. of Health Sciences, University of Leicester, Leicester General Hospital, Leicester, UK

    Sarah Baillon & James Lindesay (Prof.)

  3. Dept. of Health Sciences, University of Leicester, Leicester General Hospital, Leicester, UK

    Traolach Brugha (Prof.)

  4. Institute of Psychiatry, Section of Epidemiology, King’s College London, London, UK

    Robert Stewart

  5. Dept. of Health Sciences, University of Leicester, Leicester, UK

    Howart Meltzer (Prof.)

Authors
  1. Michael Dennis
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  2. Sarah Baillon
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  3. Traolach Brugha
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  4. James Lindesay
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  5. Robert Stewart
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  6. Howart Meltzer
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Correspondence to Michael Dennis.

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Dennis, M., Baillon, S., Brugha, T. et al. The influence of limitation in activity of daily living and physical health on suicidal ideation: results from a population survey of Great Britain. Soc Psychiat Epidemiol 44, 608–613 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00127-008-0474-2

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00127-008-0474-2

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