Factors associated with suicidal thoughts in a large community study of older adults.

Thoughts about death and self-harm in old age have been commonly associated with the presence of depression, but other risk factors may also be important. Our data indicate that social disconnectedness and stress account for a larger proportion of cases than mood disorders. Should these associations prove to be causal, then interventions that succeeded in addressing these issues would contribute the most to reducing suicidal ideation and, possibly, suicidal behaviour in later life.

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