The influence of family problems and conflicts on suicidal ideation and suicide attempts in elderly people.

Family conflicts and problems involve meanings that are constructed during the course of an existence, and become associated with other factors in manifestations of suicidal thoughts and suicide attempts in elderly people. These questions are analyzed in a qualitative study of interviews with elderly people in four different locations in Brazil. A total of 63 men and women took part, and the interviews were held in 2013 and 2014. The field data showed the following factors - in order of the importance that the interviewees gave to them: significant family losses; family and inter-generation conflicts; and explicit and veiled violence. The speech of the subjects showed, as elements that led them to try to end their lives: sadness; feelings of abandonment; isolation, incomprehension of their desires by their family members, and absence of manifestations of affection and/or respect. When telling their stories, they also gave clues about what they expect from their families: welcome, acceptance, comprehension and freedom to carry out their minor wishes; to end their lives in a dignified manner without suffering; to find help and protection for the progressive reduction of their capacities; to continue to participate in family decisions, and to prolong to the maximum their social achievements and prerogatives, such as property, authority and respect.

Influências dos problemas e conflitos familiares nas ideações e tentativas de suicídio de pessoas idosas / The influence of family problems and conflicts on suicidal ideation and suicide attempts in elderly people

Conflitos e problemas familiares envolvem significados construídos no decorrer da existência e se associam a outros fatores nas manifestações de pensamentos e tentativas de suicídio em pessoas idosas. Essas questões são analisadas por meio de um estudo qualitativo em que os próprios idosos foram ouvidos, em 14 localidades diferentes do Brasil. Participaram 63 homens e mulheres e as entrevistas aconteceram entre 2013 e 2014. Os dados de campo segundo as relevâncias que os idosos apresentaram foram: perdas familiares significativas, conflitos familiares e intergeracionais e violências explícitas e veladas. A fala dos idosos demonstrou a tristeza, os sentimentos de abandono, o isolamento, a incompreensão de seus desejos pelos familiares e a ausência de manifestações de afeto e respeito, como elementos que os levaram a tentar dar cabo a sua vida. Ao contarem suas histórias, eles também deram pistas do que esperam de suas famílias: acolhimento, compreensão e liberdade para realizar seus pequenos desejos; terminar a vida de forma digna e sem sofrimento; encontrar ajuda e proteção para a progressiva diminuição de suas capacidades; continuar a participar das decisões da família e prolongar ao máximo as conquistas e as prerrogativas sociais, como propriedades, autoridade e respeito.

Family conflicts and problems involve meanings that are constructed during the course of an existence, and become associated with other factors in manifestations of suicidal thoughts and suicide attempts in elderly people. These questions are analyzed in a qualitative study of interviews with elderly people in four different locations in Brazil. A total of 63 men and women took part, and the interviews were held in 2013 and 2014. The field data showed the following factors – in order of the importance that the interviewees gave to them: significant family losses; family and inter-generation conflicts; and explicit and veiled violence. The speech of the subjects showed, as elements that led them to try to end their lives: sadness; feelings of abandonment; isolation, incomprehension of their desires by their family members, and absence of manifestations of affection and/or respect. When telling their stories, they also gave clues about what they expect from their families: welcome, acceptance, comprehension and freedom to carry out their minor wishes; to end their lives in a dignified manner without suffering; to find help and protection for the progressive reduction of their capacities; to continue to participate in family decisions, and to prolong to the maximum their social achievements and prerogatives, such as property, authority and respect.